Chief Financial Economist - Operations Policies and Strategies Division at African Development Bank (AfDB)

The African Development Bank is Africa’s premier development banking institution, focusing on the promotion of socio-economic development and poverty reduction. The Bank has integrated operations, leading directly to public and private sector development in Regional Member Countries (RMCs). The Operational Resources and Policies Department (ORPC) is a key corporate department within the Country and Regional Programs and Operational Policy Vice-Presidency (ORVP). The Department has two divisions: Operations Strategy and Policies (ORPC.1) and, Resource Mobilization and Allocation (ORPC.2). ORPC.1 focuses on operational policy, strategy, procedures and guidelines. ORPC.2 is primarily responsible for resource mobilization, notably replenishment and distribution of the ADF financing. The Department formulates policy across the Bank in its own right or in collaboration with other departments of the Bank.

African Development Bank established to strengthen dialogue between the Bank and the Government is recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Chief Financial Economist - Operations Policies and Strategies Division

Grade: PL-3 SAP : 50076483
Reference: ADB/13/022

Objectives
Bank operations are dynamic and require a dynamic policy making environment to respond to the challenges. An important remit of the Department is to ensure that Bank policies and strategies are regularly updated and that they are consistent with the Bank’s mandate and priorities. Current trends in the demand for Bank Group’s resources require that the Bank develop a set of financing instruments and approaches that enable it to respond with relevance and flexibility to its clients. The Bank Group is therefore embarking into a major exercise aimed at revisiting its financing policies. These covers a broad spectrum including, among others, the credit policy, micro-finance policy, debt accumulation policy, policy on guarantees, cancellation policy, etc. Within this framework, ORPC staff are expected to assist in encouraging the generation of new ideas and approaches by bringing global technical knowledge and cross-country experience in the formulation of operational policies and strategies.

Duties and responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Manager of ORPC.1, the incumbent will primarily ensure that the Bank’s Financial Sector Policies, Strategies, framework papers, and guidelines are regularly updated and consistent with the Bank’s mandate and priorities. The incumbent will also ensure adequate mainstreaming of these policies and guidelines in the Bank’s operations.

Specifically, the duties and responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but not be limited to the following tasks:

• Oversee the quality of operational policies and strategies and provide leadership in those relating to the financial sector.
• Contribute to the development of financial sector policy and strategy documents, procedures, guidelines, formats and manuals. Also provide guidance in the review and updating of these documents in line with lessons learnt and best practices from other development partners including notably the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
• Review reports, proposals and requests submitted to the approval of the Asset Liability Management Committee (ALCO), the Credit Risk Committee (CRC) and any other similar committee established by the Bank, and accordingly advise the Department‘s representative in these committees.
• Undertake studies and economic sector work (ESWs) to support the Bank’s and RMCs financial sector initiatives such as: (i) the African Financial Market Initiative (AFMI), (ii) Financial Sector Reform Programs in RMCs, and (iii) Financial Sector Policy and Strategy Development in RMCs. In addition, advise Senior Management on policy implications for the Bank’s operations, resulting from emerging trends and issues in the global financial economy.
• Provide expert advice on financial sector issues to Operations Complexes in the preparation and monitoring of sector programs and projects. Also Identify, design and implement new financial sector-related policy and strategy initiatives in collaboration with sector Departments and RMCs to enhance the Bank’s support and efficiency of delivery in financial sector programs and projects.
• Together with sector departments, review and formulate innovative financial instruments to further promote the Bank’s support in RMCs particularly, in its priority sectors.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical assistance programs aimed at supporting RMCs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the development of financial sector policies, Strategies and Development Plans.
• Review and comment on the Bank’s financial sector policy documents and other operations documents (Country Strategy Papers, Identification Reports, project concept notes, appraisal reports, supervision and completion reports, Portfolio Performance Evaluation Reports, etc.), as may be submitted for review by Operations Complexes.
• Develop and build client relations at senior levels and play a promotional role and enhance the Bank’s visibility in the area financial sector development in RMCs.
• Participate in the preparation of Bank Group position papers, reports, and initiatives focussing on financial sector policy issues.
• Participate in and contribute to internal and external training for dissemination and knowledge building on macroeconomic and financial sector development.
• Represent the Bank and participate in conferences and seminars on financial sector policy issues for advocacy and cross-fertilization.
• Perform other tasks as and when assigned by the Director –ORPC, or the Division Manager, ORPC.1.

Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• At least a Master’s degree in economics or other related field. A doctorate (PhD) is an asset.
• Preferably a minimum of 7 years of experience in the preparation of policies and the analysis of related issues.
• Relevant experience in the interface of macroeconomics and finance. The ideal candidate will have professional experience in the financial sector notably, the central bank, regulatory agencies, or banking.
• Good knowledge of financial sector issues and ability to engage in a broad range of financial policy issues – including financial sector policy, regulation and supervision.
• Proven ability to identify and articulate policy issues, tradeoffs and priorities to provide sound advice;
• Demonstrated ability to work across institutional boundaries with various teams, build and lead a team of professional staff, and utilize talent and expertise of team members in a productive way;
• Superior written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French (with a working-knowledge of the other language);
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and synthesize complex issues (translated into effective oral and written briefs)
• Competence in the use of standard Bank software (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, MS Projects); knowledge of SAP highly desirable.
• Results-oriented, team player, articulated analyst with attention to details, a persuasive communicator with good reporting skills.

To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.

Application Closing Date
5th March, 2013

Method of Application
Applicants will only be considered if they submit an online application, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Click Here To apply Online AND Click Here To Download Job Details

The AfDB President reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.
The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are being considered for interview will be contacted.