Director of Board Affairs 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: Director of Board Affairs

Position Number: 50065011
Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Position Grade: EL5

The Complex

• The role of the Banks' Office of the Secretary General and the General Secretariat (PSEG) is to facilitate the delivery of the objectives of the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy, High 5s, and Development and Business Delivery Model (DBDM) by enhancing the decision-making process of the governance organs and forging better working relationships with the shareholders and host countries of the Bank.
• PSEG is comprised of: the Immediate Office of the Secretary General (PSEG.0) which has the additional responsibility of managing the Disclosure and Access to Information (DAI) and Archives as well as Conferences and Meetings; Board Affairs and Proceedings (PSEG.1); and Protocol, Immunities and Privileges (PSEG.2).

The Hiring Department
The main functions of the Board Affairs and Proceedings (PSEG.1), which would be overseen by the Director of Board Affairs are to:

• Prepare the work programmes, agenda and schedules of meetings of the Boards and the Committees
• Organize meetings of the Boards and their committees, as well as provide them with secretarial services; Provide secretariat services for the Boards of Governors and their subsidiary organs, and manage the relations between these Boards and Senior Management
• Monitor the implementation of decisions of the Boards by the organizational units concerned
• Provide administrative, and support services to Elected Officers, and provide recruitment support for their offices; and Preserve and safeguard the Bank’s institutional memory.

The Position

• The Director of Board Affairs will support the Secretary General in ensuring a high performing General Secretariat and in ensuring that responsibilities of Board Affairs and Proceedings (PSEG.1) are discharged effectively.
• The incumbent will report to the Secretary General and under his direction, will oversee Board Affairs and Proceedings (PSEG.1) which comprises: a Board Coordination and Communication Section; a Board Advisory Services Section; and a Board Quality Control Section.

Key Functions
Under the general supervision of the Secretary General, the Director of Board Affairs will oversee a work area that provides secretariat and administrative support to the Boards of Governors and Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Fund; and will:

• Assist the Secretary General in managing the provision of secretariat and administrative support to the Boards of Governors and Directors of the Bank;
• Plan, organize and coordinate all Board-related activities;
• Set objectives, formulate policies, establish priorities, define, and monitor the key performance indicators of PSEG.1;
• Ensure the preparation of the Board Rolling Agenda (BRAG) that encapsulates the Boards of Directors’ work programme in consultation with all relevant stakeholders;
• Ensure that PSEG.1 produces high-quality outputs within available resources, by making the best use of its human, financial and technological assets, and by monitoring and enforcing efficiency targets;
• Through the Secretary General, ensure effective communication between Senior Management and staff of the Bank, the authorities of member countries on Board matters;
• Oversee PSEG.1’s budget preparation within the overall budget of the Office of the Secretary General and follow its execution, and advise the Secretary General on the budgetary and financial impacts of its functions;
• Promote the sharing of best practice across the Board secretariat and Board administrative services;
• Advise on the appropriate organizational structure of Board Affairs, assign staff and material resources based on priorities and workload, coordinate and evaluate the work of staff and provide guidance on work problems;
• Assess the training needs of staff in PSEG.1, monitor and evaluate their performance, and recommend personnel actions to the Secretary General;
• Perform strategic Board secretariat support services when appropriate and necessary;
• Assist the Secretary General in the performance of his statutory role such as the election of Executive Directors and the President of the Bank Group;
• Perform such other duties as the Secretary General may assign from time to time.

Competencies (skills, experience, and knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master’s degree in International Corporate Law, Political Science, Corporate Governance, Business Administration, Development Economics, International Relations, International Development, Corporate Finance, or other related disciplines;
• Have a minimum of ten (10) years of extensive and progressive experience in a similar organization, with managerial level experience in corporate governance and Board issues. Translation skills is desirable;
• Experience in similar roles in International Financial Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks, or working with boards of other international organizations will be highly desirable an added advantage;  
• Good understanding of corporate governance issues and the role of Boards in promoting these;
• Demonstrated experience on issues related to Board effectiveness;
• Excellent understanding of the Bank group‘s policies, strategy and operational issues and the role of the Board in this process;
• Demonstrated ability to take prudent business risks and make effective, timely and well-determined decisions;
• Ability to strategically engage the Board and Senior Management on issues of importance for the Bank;
• Strong managerial, interpersonal and communication skills; strong negotiating skills; ability to think strategically;
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize work programs, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to gain the confidence of senior management in delivering an efficient and effective service within agreed time and cost constraints;
• Ability to work effectively with other technical and management professionals of diverse occupational and cultural backgrounds in a cooperative team environment;
• Demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas; a good listener; high level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality;
• Ability to lead, mentor and motivate subordinate colleagues;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French with a working
• knowledge of the other language;
• Competence in the use of the Bank’s standard software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP is desirable.

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

Application Closing Date
11th November, 2023.