Principal ICT Specialist at the African Development Bank (AfDB)

African Development Bank (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank's development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Principal ICT Specialist

Reference: ADB/18/003
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL4
Position N°: 50093736

The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency for ‘Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy and the ‘High 5’ priority of “Industrialize Africa”. The objectives of the Complex are to: (i) develop the ‘Africa Industrial Strategy’; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by leveraging on experienced individuals who can be consulted on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) act as the Bank’s Spoke person on “Industrialize Africa”.

The Hiring Department/Division

• The role of the Bank’s Industrial and Trade Development department is to promote the implementation of the Bank’s 10 Year Strategy and HI 5’s initiatives with special emphasis on the Industrialize Africa strategy. The department leads the Bank’s activities in the area of industrial policies, ICT, trade and investment climate, and private sector investments in industry and services.
• The ICT Operations Division is responsible for the Bank Group's public sector-based activity in the ICT sector.  In particular, the Division is responsible for the identification, appraisal and subsequent supervision of the Bank's lending and grants programme to Regional Member Countries for ICT projects.  In addition, the division supports other operations of the Bank requiring sectoral advice. 
• The main objective of the ICT Operations Division is to build on the Bank's sector skills to become a leader in the development, financing and implementation of ICT projects and programmes across the African continent.

The Position

• To identify, prepare, appraise and supervise public sector ICT projects in North and Central Africa;
• To mobilise external resources to prepare feasibility studies, co-invest in projects and finance economic research work of the Division
• To lead work in the Bank on civil registration and electronic personal identification in order to leverage value across all sectors of the Bank’s work.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the Principal ICT Specialist shall:

• Dialogue with Regional Member Countries (RMCs), Partners and relevant specialised agencies on project requests;
• Advise the Bank and RMCs on viability of ICT projects;
• Identify funding options including the use of PRGs, PCGs and the applicability of PPP structures;
• Carry out identification, preparation, appraisal and supervision missions; Prepare and process project documentations (including Project Concept Notes and Appraisal Reports) and follow up on reviews and approval processes;
• Mobilise co-financing for projects from other MDBs, donors and the private sector;
• Manage the strategic project cycle process including consultations with RMCs and the Bank's Country Programme Officers to ensure that prospective ICT projects are included in the overall agreed lending plans of the Bank and the RMCs;
• Manage a portfolio of projects, ensuring that each project is properly supervised, is disbursing funds and is achieving its original development goals.  In doing so, apply the rules and regulations of the Bank correctly to issues of procurement and fund management and disbursement;
• Initiate and execute programmes and studies to develop knowledge in Africa on strategically important ICT subjects and, in particular, on identity and civil registration.  Where necessary, mobilise funds for studies.  To do so, it will be necessary to develop terms of reference for studies and pilot projects and comply with donor information needs in order to obtain financial support.
• Develop consultancy terms of reference and recruit consultants to support the work area.  Observe fully Bank procurement rules and regulations;
• Undertake Ad hoc activities including coordination with other operational and regional complexes; integration of ICT in Country and Regional Strategy Papers; strengthen the Bank's knowledge and expertise (article writing, briefing and analyses); support broad financial mobilisation activities of the Bank; attend Business Opportunity Seminars with the private sector to explain upcoming procurement opportunities in Bank ICT projects.
• Participate in relevant skills development activities to ensure that technical, market, financial and processing knowledge is maintained to a required level.

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold at least a Master's Degree or its equivalent in Economics, Telecoms Engineering or in a connected discipline.
• Have a minimum of six (06) years of relevant professional experience in the Bank or a similar institution
• Practical experience of working with Governments in Africa to deliver projects.
• Organisation.
• Analytical.
• Client orientation.
• Communications skills.
• Demonstrable knowledge of ICT engineering
• Sound market knowledge with a particular emphasis on current trends in regulatory thinking.
• Good knowledge of how ICT can further development in North and Central Africa.
• Good knowledge of civil registration and identification and how they can support development efforts across economic and social sectors in Africa.
• An ability to think strategically, to make sense of complexity and to express thoughts simply both in writing and orally.
• Effective consultation and advisory skills coupled with a client orientation to ensure relevancy.
• Range of inter-personal skills and an ability to vary the use of them according to the audience.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• Experience in the use of SAP is advantageous.

Application Closing Date
16th February, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidate should:
Click here to apply online