Principal Disbursement Officer at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (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 Disbursement Officer

Reference: ADB/19/051
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Position N°: 50000790
Grade: PL4

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for Finance (FIVP) oversees the financial management of the Bank Group. This encompasses the Bank Group’s treasury activities including borrowings from the capital markets and investment activities; controllership functions including financial reporting and loan administration; strategic resource mobilization and the strengthening of the non-statutory financial resources and instruments; the overall asset/liability management for the Bank Group.

The Hiring Department/Division

• The Financial Control Department (FIFC) of the African Development Bank (The Bank) is responsible for accounting for the financial consequences of the Bank Group’s transactions and decisions, and for the preparation, fair presentation and overall integrity of the internal financial reports and published financial statements.
• The department is also responsible for loan administration and accounting and related fiduciary responsibilities, including disbursement of funds to projects and programs financed by the Bank Group. Lastly, the department provides decision support and expertise in the development and implementation of financial control policies, operational and financial strategies and related information systems.
• The primary objective of the Disbursement Division is to ensure compliance with key fiduciary relatedarticles in the Agreement Establishing the African Development Bank and Fund. Ensure that adequate controls are maintained around the disbursement of Bank Group financed project.

The Position
Under the Supervision of the Division Manager,  The Disbursement Officer will:

• Ensure compliance with key fiduciary related articles in the Agreement Establishing the African Development Bank and Fund.
• Verify, process and approve disbursement requests of up to UA 2 million for loans/grants given by the institutions of the Bank Group or administered by the Bank on behalf of certain co-operative institutions, such as IFAD, OPEC Fund, JBIC, RWSSI, AWF etc. in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Bank Group. Manage the financial aspects of contracts approved by the country departments in connection with loans/grants authorized by the Bank Group institutions.
• Provide input into disbursement projections as needed with a view ensuring accurate  income, cash flow plan and lending program projections.
• Assist and advise borrowers, executing agencies and various third parties on aspects of administration of loans and grants approved by the Bank Group institutions.
• Assist and advise Regional departments and other departments on issues relating to loan administration.

Duties and responsibilities
The Principal Disbursement Officer  will  carry out the following functions:

Operational Advice and Support:

• Monitor effectiveness, disbursement ratio, special account ratio, counter- part funding issues and loan closing for the assigned portfolio of countries
• Provide technical support to sector departments, lead review and provide input to country and project teams of project documents such as Appraisal Report, Country Strategy and Program, Project Completion Reports etc.
• Participate in country strategy preparation and midterm reviews including assessing capacity development requirements for financial management at the country level; and assist in completing country financing parameters, where necessary.
• Provide disbursement-related assistance to Operations during project launching, project  supervision, and portfolio review missions;
• Assist project teams in the assessment of the financial management capacity of borrowers or executing agencies and in the design of financial, accounting and control systems for project execution;
• Interact with Fiduciary services to improve the quality of procurement arrangements, financial management systems and procedures of executing agencies in managing project funds, maintaining project accounts and submitting timely and reliable financial reports.
• Contribute to the review and update of ADB's fiduciary policies and guidelines and participate in the Fiduciary Community of Practice.
• Participate in resolving audit qualifications to ensure that disbursement activities proceed on an uninterrupted basis.

Loan Disbursements:

• Review disbursement applications to ensure that all conditions and requirements precedent to disbursement are satisfied and that internal rules and procedures are complied with, prior to approval and payment;
• Manage reimbursement guarantees issued to commercial banks, including examining requests of issuing reimbursement guarantees and preparing them for the commercial banks;
• Manage funds flow, ensure appropriate allocation of resources to the principal expenditure categories of goods, works and services and manage the use of t Special Accounts;
• Provide training on disbursements policies and procedures in borrowing member countries and to staff in the Bank;
• Verify effectiveness of loans in the case of the first disbursement, and the last disbursement deadline;
• Ensure that the amounts disbursed by the Bank Group will finance only eligible expenditures.
• Coordinate effectively with the relevant country offices on disbursement matters;
• Reply to correspondence from and provide information on disbursement related issues to borrowers and other departments;
• Provide input into disbursement projections for the portfolio of Regional Member Countries (RMCs);
• Provide input  as needed to internal and external reports on Disbursement related activities;
• Participate in/lead Task Forces on policy and other matters;
• Participate in technical discussions and loan negotiations  to ensure that financial management and disbursement  arrangements  for  proposed projects are appropriate and compliant with AfDB disbursement policies
• Ensure the timely resolution of disbursement issues in coordination with concerned departments and stakeholders
• Conduct loan disbursement missions to verify statements of expenditures, resolve disbursement issues, verify expenditure control measures and general compliance with relevant agreements and policies;
• Ensure the proper liquidation of overdue advances, reconciliation of suspense and special accounts, and the ensure the timely closure of completed loans and  grants;

Knowledge Sharing:

• Prepare disbursement training material
• Serve as a training resource person for Disbursements
• Provide training to executing agencies and Bank Staff to ensure familiarity with and the proper implementation of applicable policies and procedures
• Assist with capacity building of  projects/EAs, specifically in the area of disbursement and financial management
• Represent FIFC on AfDB-wide activities, working groups and committees as assigned

Continuous Improvement:

• Review and recommend changes to disbursement systems, policies and procedures to promote timeliness, accuracy and efficiency in processing while maintaining appropriate internal  controls
• Undertake or contribute to the implementation of special projects for process  and  systems improvements

Staff Supervision:

• Provide leadership and support to Disbursement Assistants
• Provide  clear direction to and monitor the work done by Disbursement Assistants
• Provide input into the evaluation of Disbursement Assistants

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• At least a Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other related disciplines. Membership of an internationally recognized professional association of accountants would be an advantage
• A minimum of 6 years  of relevant and progressive professional experience
• Proficient understanding of accounting policies, practices and general policies, procedures, guidelines and reporting requirements prevalent in a multilateral institution
• Knowledge of Project Cycle Management
• Analytic thinking — ability to interpret and explain patterns in information
• Ability to apply updated advancements in own knowledge area to relevant task.
• Client Orientation- delivering contributions across a variety of products and services to meet clients’ needs
• Achieving Results and Problem Solving-using appropriate methods for addressing the causes of issues and monitoring achievement of results according to work plans
• Working Together-Maintaining collaborative relationships  and working with diverse colleagues in and outside the Bank
• Communication, Knowledge Sharing and Innovation and Change
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Proficient in the use of standard MS Office software applications, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as SAP. Knowledge of SAP would be an advantage
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English is a requirement for this position.

Application Closing Date
1st  May, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: This position is classified international status and attracts international terms and conditions of employment.