Principal Programme Coordinator 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 Programme Coordinator

Position Number: 50093758
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL4

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for ‘Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy and High 5s priority of “Industrialize Africa” and “Integrate Africa”.
• The Complex also plays pivotal role in the implementation of the other High 5s, namely Power Africa, Feed Africa and Improve the Quality of life for the People of Africa. The objectives of the Complex are to: (i) develop the ‘Africa Industrialization 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 Complex is also responsible for the overall coordination of the Private Sector and Non-Sovereign Operations (NSO) across the Bank, working closely with other sector Complexes.
• In this regard, the complex leads the development and implementation of the Private Sector Development Strategy, the Financial Sector Development Strategy, the Industrialization Strategy including the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Action Plan, the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) Strategic Framework, and the related action plans and policy guidelines.
• These responsibilities also include business development, transaction support, Equity oversight, Corporate Portfolio Management, standards enforcement, oversight, monitoring and reporting. The Complex is at the centre of the Bank’s Private Sector and NSO development and delivery.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The role of the Bank’s Non-Sovereign Operations (NSO) and Private Sector Support Department (PINS) is to support the promotion of private sector development in Regional Member Countries, particularly through transaction structuring advice that ensures bankable transactions, as well as project and corporate portfolio management (e.g., evaluation, monitoring and reporting) of all NSOs, in line with the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy, High 5s initiatives, and the Bank’s 5 year private sector development strategy 2021-2025.
• PINS will primary serve as a second line of defense for all NSOs of the Bank by identifying any red flags and providing:(i) transaction structuring advice and operational support to NSO-originating departments as needed; and (ii) project and corporate portfolio management (evaluation, monitoring, reporting as well as remedial management actions), (iii) a comprehensive customer relationship and project documentation database as well as knowledge management; and, (iv) various guidelines, operational procedure manuals and training initiatives.
• The Department thus provides all Sector Complexes with corporate support on NSOs and transaction guidelines.
• The services provided are therefore pooled together for use by the Bank’s NSO business origination departments.
• As part of the front office of the Directorate, the Programme Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all PINS Work programme are delivered on time and that the Director’s commitments and engagements are met.

The Position
The purpose of the job is as follows:

• The job holder will be responsible for the overall coordination of the work program of the NSOs and Transaction Support Department (PINS) and will also be responsible for delivering support to the Portfolio Management and the Transaction Advisory teams.
• The incumbent will also help in coordinating the Director’s front office as well as private sector-related work handled by the Sector departments and the Directorate Generals.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the general guidance and supervision of the Director PINS, the Principal Programme Coordinator will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Supervise and guide the implementation of the department work program, ensure quality delivery, strategic alignment and resource optimization.
• Report to the Director on work programme progress and identify critical areas that deserve specific support and provide recommendations as appropriate.
• Liaising with the two directorate’s divisions, Sector departments, and the Directorate Generals, and other key stakeholder to ensure coherence and complementarity across activities.
• Ensure rigorous management of budgetary resources and lead management of Department budget cycle exercises including budget preparation, execution, monitoring and reporting.
• Ensure general procurements of the Department are executed in compliance with Bank’s rules and processes.
• Work closely with PINS Compliance Oversight team for a close follow-up, monitoring and implementation of audit recommendations (internal and external related to private sector operations.
• Follow up on requests from the Bank’s Vice Presidents, Director Generals, Deputy Director Generals, Sector Directors to the Director PINS and ensure they are adequately addressed.
• Coordinate PINS Director’s inputs on various committees (Credit Risk Committee (CRC), Asset & Liability Committee (ALCO), etc) and ensure the Department’s role in the Operations Committee (Opscom)’ Quality Assurance Group Committee is fulfilled.
• Assist in policy discussions with Regional Member Countries (RMCs) officials and in raising external funding from Bank’s partners.
• Represent the Director in High Level meetings in the Bank but also with external Partners or Clients.
• Ensure follow up/Draft Director’s briefing materials i.e., talking points, speeches, media program etc;
• Build relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials.
• Serve as the Secretary to the Department Management Team (DMT).
• Coordinate various assistants and support staff in the Department.

Competence (Skills, Experience and Knowledge):

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Management or related subjects.
• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience in finance and administration within the Bank or another first-class institution.
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, and demonstrated capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders (financial institutions, businesses, international organizations, etc.)
• Ability to collaborate and to successfully communicate with different stakeholders
• Excellent organizational, analytical, coordination and communication skills.
• Attention to detail, respect for deadlines and the ability to work under pressure.
• Familiarity with private sector project finance.
• Understanding and interest in finance and economic concepts with a good Knowledge of international economic development issues.
• Ability to summarize strategic documents and highlight main ideas.
• Strong drafting ability.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP is desirable.

Application Closing Date
13th December, 2023.