Operations Consultant - SNSP (EOI) 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: Expressions of Interest - Operations Consultant - SNSP

Location: Home based
Consultant type: Individual Consultant
Departments issuing the request: SNSP
Duration of the assignment: Six (6) calendar months

Background

• The Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP) which is the recruiting department, plays a key role in shaping a corporate vision and a strategic perspective for the Bank, as well as developing the strategies and operational policies aimed at guiding the Bank’s agenda.
• Reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP), the Department is responsible for: (i) developing and helping maintain (along with other units) corporate strategies and operational policies necessary for the Bank to deliver the High 5 priorities1, and other strategies; (ii) playing a prominent role in keeping the Bank a strategy-focused organization in line with its policies; (iii) supporting the Bank in raising its profile and engaging strategically at international fora, as well as to foster cross-fertilization and greater coordination with other MDBs ; and, (iv) leading the Bank in the development of a new culture of innovation and change, including the incubation of new financial/non-financial products and business lines.

Revised Project Classification System

• In September 2018, Management of the Bank, approved the revision of the Project Classification System (PCS) and data collection tools to align with the Bank’s High 5 priorities.
• This revision would allow for monitoring the Bank’s financial contribution to the High 5’s, capturing the financial contribution to cross cutting areas such as gender and climate change.
• Additionally, as the main development bank on the continent, the Bank also has a key role to play in supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. To this effect, the Bank is engaged in the global dialogue on SDGs monitoring. Therefore, the revised PCS also included the possibility of tracking financial resources towards SDGs.
• After an extended pilot period and consultations, from September 2022, the Banks project documents, starting with Sovereign Operation, include this new information requirement.
• This was undertaken within a broader program of improving the Banks quality of operations. Work is on-going to revise the SAP system to also include these new requirements. In this regard, the department is seeking the services of a long-term Operations Consultant to support the
• implementation of the revised PCS project, integration of the new data requirements and support on-going work towards the automation of the revised PCS in SAP.

Scope of the Assignment

• Under the supervision of the Manager, SNSP and the day-to-day guidance of the Revised PCS Task Manager and other staff on the activity, the main responsibilities of the Operations Consultant are to:
  • Verify the correct inclusion of the required project classification information (High 5s, subthemes, SDGs, financing, percentage allocation etc.) in all new operations designed and going for Management review and Board approval from September 2022, beginning with Sovereign Investment Operations,
  • Provide input and support the consultations towards the revision of and inclusion of the revised PCS data needs in other operations for example Non-Sovereign Operations and Results Based Financing operations,
  • Provide technical support to Task Managers and ensure the establishment of a well-functioning Help Desk Function to meet the new reporting requirements,
  • Design interactive and top-quality training materials to facilitate the seamless implementation of the revised PCS including exploring inclusion in the Banks other training platforms,
  • Contribute to and participate in the training (virtual and physical) of task managers/ operations staff on the revised PCS,
  • Contribute to the development of a Change Management Plan in collaboration with all stakeholders to create desire, knowledge, ability and reinforcement to the changes and adoption of the new solutions,
  • Design concise and striking communication materials to facilitate change management for implementation of the program;
  • Proactively support and oversee the on-going work to ensure automation of the revised PCS through revision of the SAP system,
  • Develop and maintain collaboration with other Bank departments to ensure that the revised SAP PCS is aligned to other IT upgrade initiatives to enable synergies and sustainability of the revision,
  • Contribute towards and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of the quarterly the reporting and data requirements,
  • Provide inputs into reports to update management on the progress of the PCS and any other reports related to the work,
  • Support and work with other consultants and staff that might be recruited as part of the team, and
  • Any other related assignment of the Bank.
• The Consultant, in the fulfilment of this exercise, will be required to liaise with the different complexes/departments of the Bank, including the focal points within the Bank. In undertaking their function, the consultant will consider the on-going Bank wide IT data base modernization process and enhancements made to the Bank’s project SAP systems and on-going project/operation quality improvements.
• The Consultant will also support SNSP in planning, organizing, and coordinating other activities of the Department, as requested.

Deliverables
Some of the key deliverables expected of the Operations Consultant are:

• Training materials and/ or manuals developed to support implementation of the work. These should also be integrated in other Bank platforms.
• Bank staff/ task managers in all complexes trained on the revised PCS data requirements
• Proposals for new data requirements made and rolled out for NSO and RBF operations.
• A change management plan developed, and communication material developed to support its implementation.
• Help desk function fully operationalized.
• Revised SAP PS system to include the new data requirements for the Revised PCS completed, tested, and rolled out

Qualifications and Experience
A proactive candidate who is committed and driven to deliver high-quality outputs. The key selection criteria for the position include the following:

• A Master’s Degree in Business Studies, Economics, International Development, or any of the Banks High 5 priority areas with a significant experience in operations design, business/project analysis and project management skills.
• Minimum of 8 years of working experience in Operations design, support and/or program development.
• Competent in the use of Project Management IT platforms (SAP PS will be added advantage) and have expertise in conceptualizing, planning, and proposing IT solutions that will help guide automation and implementation of the revised data needs. This will require analytical, technical skills for the creation and evolution of the Bank’s different platforms. In that respect, the consultant should be capable of analyzing the key policy and business requirements and articulate the necessary changes required to ensure delivery of a high-quality outcome.
• Experience in working with AFDB.
• Specific experience and knowledge of African development issues generally, SDGs and reporting systems (national, regional, global) would be a good asset.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills, dynamism, results-orientation and problem-solving
• capability.
• Experience in writing concept notes, developing training material and modules and training technical and non-technical staff.
• Excellent client relationship management skills and capacity to deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with a good working knowledge of French language and the capacity to communicate and present ideas well.
• Proven ability to collaborate within multi-cultural teams and across departments, applying a practical, diplomatic, and efficient approach to problem solving.

Duration and Location of the Assignment

• The consultant is expected to start on 1st March 2023, with a contract duration of 6 calendar months.
• The consultant shall report to the task manager and the Division Manager, SNSP1. Day-to-day management of the consultancy shall be assured by the task manager.
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Bank is still largely operating a working from home mode, the consultant will thus also work from their home base. Should the Bank return to full time, the consultant will also be expected to relocate to Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Remuneration

• Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, in line with the Bank’s compensation guidelines.
• The consultancy fees will be paid on a monthly lump sum basis. No additional benefits or per diem will be paid unless on mission. For candidates who need to travel to take up this assignment, a round trip economy class air-ticket with the shortest route will be provided.
• The candidate will be responsible for obtaining personal health insurance at his or her own cost

Application Closing Date
22nd February, 2023 at 17:00 GMT

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] and [email protected]

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Click here for the Job Description (PDF)

Application and Evaluation Process
Interested candidates are required to express their interest by submitting their CVs and Cover Letter detailing their qualifications and experiences to the email addresses provided
The prospective consultants’ expression of interest will be evaluated based on the following criteria and weights:

• General qualifications and adequacy for the proposed Assignment: 30
• Similar experience in expertise of the Assignment as described in the Terms of Reference: 30
• Experience with the Bank or other international donors: 20
• Language proficiency: 10
• Knowledge of the Region: 10
• Total: 100%

Note

• Any questions and requests for clarifications may be sent to: [email protected] and [email protected]
• Only consultants who will score more than 70% will be short-listed and invited to submit a financial proposal.
• Place of assignment: Given the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent Work from Home (WFH) mode, the consultant will telecommute until normal business resumes. Thereafter, will be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.