Principal Program 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 Program Officer

Position Number: 50001214
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL4

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for ‘Agriculture, Human, and Social Development’ is a Sector Complex focusing on two of the Bank’s High 5 priorities namely “Agriculture and agribusiness” and “Improving the Quality of Life of the People of Africa”.
• The complex objectives are; (i) to develop, policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pools of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) the Vice President will act as the spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life of the People of Africa”.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department (AHHD), within the Agriculture, Human and Social Development (AHVP) Complex spearheads the achievement of the High 5-5 priority on “Improving the Quality of Life of the People of Africa” and contribute to the other High 5s.
• The Department has three divisions (i) Education and Skills Development Division, which focuses on scaling-up the Bank’s support to Higher Education (HE) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), (ii) Public Health, Nutrition and Social Protection Division focusing on strengthening inclusive access to quality healthcare and nutrition and (iii) The Human Development division for North and Central Africa regions. The departments also oversee the implementation of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (JfYA) and hosts various related initiatives and trust funds for the promotion of human capital development in Africa.

The Position

• The Principal Program Officer (PPO) provides strategic advice on relevant Bank policy, guidelines, instruments and initiatives for the development of the three-year pipeline, mobilization of financing, and cost-efficient delivery of the human capital and social development work program. In performing this role and in line with the Key Performance Indicators, the PPO ensures the maintenance of a robust monitoring system for the efficient delivery of the annual work program, with a strategic focus on results, lessons learned and quality at entry.
• The PPO will further play a key coordinating and oversight role over the implementation and monitoring of the human capital and social development portfolio.   Working in consultation with the AHHD Chief Program Economist, AHVP Advisor on Program delivery and portfolio performance, AHHD Sector Managers and Task Managers, Regional Program Officers and Country Program Officers, the PPO maintains an up-to-date dashboard on the quality of the portfolio and close follow-up on the implementation of management actions to address bottlenecks to meet annual key performance target on portfolio health. 
• The PPO also provides support in assessing project readiness and quality, communicating project success stories and best practices and contributes to strategy formulation and reviews and the day-to-day administration of the Office. 
• The PPO coordinates the preparation, execution and monitoring and evaluation of the human capital and social development annual budget.

Key Function
Under the supervision of the Director, AHHD0, the Principal Program Officer shall:

• Coordinate the preparation of the three-year pipeline for both sovereign and non-sovereign financing to support the implementation of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (JfYA), Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa (SEPA) Action Plan, Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa (SQHIA) and Multi Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan.
• Coordinate the timely preparation, delivery and results reporting of the department’s annual work program including the processing of PCNs, PARs, IPRs and, PCRs, and ensure adherence to high quality standards and compliance with Bank policy in line with annual performance objectives.
• Coordinate the implementation of the human capital and social development portfolio, monitor its performance against annual corporate targets, track management actions for addressing bottlenecks to improve portfolio health, document lessons and prepare regular reports to inform decision making,
• Coordinate the annual portfolio performance review for the human capital and social development sector
• Recommend and coordinate the training of Task Managers in Bank policies, strategies, financial products and services, guidelines, and software applications and other tools.
• Coordinate the preparation, entry in SRAS, execution and monitoring and evaluation of the human capital and social development annual budget and support the preparation of regular budget performance reports.
• Support the preparation and review of departmental input to corporate documents such as strategy, policy and programs.
• Support the preparation of briefs, presentations and talking points on the Bank’s strategic support to human capital development and associated development impact through the JfYA, SEPA Action Plan, SQHIA and Multisectoral Action Plan) to inform senior management’s dialogue with Regional Member Countries, development partners, private sector, academia, African youth, civil society and other stakeholders.
• Plan and coordinate communication activities to showcase success stories, innovative instruments, best practices and partnerships emanating from projects and initiatives under the JfYA, SEPA Action Plan, SQHIA and Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan.
• Coordinate and monitor the planning, delivery and dissemination of analytical work under the JfYA SEPA Action Plan, SQHIA and Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan.
• Support the documentation of lessons learnt and best practices in human capital development to inform policy dialogue, public advocacy and future programming.
• Support the development and maintenance of the Bank’s partnership with other Development Financial Institutions, International Organizations, bilateral agencies, private sector and foundations, academia and research organizations to share best practices and facilitate the mobilization of technical expertise and additional financing for human capital development in Africa.
• Support the development of a high performing ‘One AHHD Team’ through the promotion of mentorship, capacity development, and organization annual retreats for the department.
• Perform any other task as assigned by the Director.

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master’s degree in Economics, Finance or related discipline.
• Have a minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience in the formulation and
  implementation of strategies, policies, programs and projects either within the Bank or with a similar
  development institution.
• Demonstrated ability to ensure that the client (internal or external) is considered of primary importance in all transactions and interactions.  Strives to be understanding, and when appropriate, anticipative of client needs, and ensure that the client receives the best possible service.
• Ability to build successful teams, relationships and partnerships with a broad range of clients, internal and external, for effective delivery of results that meet the needs and long-term interests of clients within and outside the institution.
• Good judgement about when to intervene, knowing when to get counsel from whom and how to apply it, and being clear about what needs to happen, how, when and by whom, and coordinating as needed.
• Take Initiative/Spotting Opportunity/Pushing Strategy:  Applying a proactive rather than a passive mind-set, formulating winning strategies, and turning them into action plans.
• Highly organized and structured work approach to be able to provide updates or reports on short notice, have capacity to coordinate (Tasks, Missions, Projects, Programs): Routinely deliver highly complex/sensitive tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex matrix functional setting.
• Comprehensively understands strategic programming, project cycle management, risk management, results monitoring and communication management.
• Strong knowledge and good understanding of the elements essential for efficient and effective delivery of the work program, performance-based monitoring and reporting of results.
• Have strong analytical skills, and a high sense of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and create meaningful linkages across sectors to maximize benefits from collaborative effort and harness development impact.
• Ability to provide clear and concise oral and written communication; present oral information with clarity and appropriate style and adapt language and style to suit the requirements of the audience. Ability to communicate and defend orally and in writing difficult issues and positions (even in hostile environment as necessary) to Senior Bank management & government officials.
• Operational effectiveness to ensure the full use of the systems, procedures and culture within the organization in order to routinely deliver highly complex and time sensitive tasks.
• Expertise in managing portfolio performance.
• Expertise in supporting dialogue for finding solutions to remove constraints to effective implementation of projects.
• Demonstrated ability to take prudent interventional risks
• Make effective, timely and well-determined interventions for effective results delivery.
• Has strong team building and results oriented leadership competencies.
• Communicate and write effectively in French or English. A strong working knowledge of French will be an advantage.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.

Application Closing Date
7th June, 2025.

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