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: Chief Country Economist
Position Number: 50076501 / 50076483 Locations: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and Yaoundé, Cameroon
Job type: Full time
Position Grade: PL3
Key Functions
The Country Economist will:
Analyse the economic and financial situations of assigned Regional Member Countries using internal and external information sources, and determine the implications for the programming and updating of Bank Group operations such as defined in the Country Strategy Paper.
Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of Bank’s flagship publications and the publication of the Country Economics Department, including the African Economic Outlook, Regional Economic Outlooks and Country Focus Reports.
Support the Business Delivery Units (Regional department and country office) in the dialogue with the National Authorities and other stakeholders (e.g: Donors, CSO, Private sector) with regular briefs and update on the economic and financial situations, preparation and participations in meetings.
Undertake assigned Economic and Sector Works including Country Diagnostic Notes and papers on relevant economic and financial issues in the development process; Country Notes for African Economic Outlook reports; Country Focused Reports; Regional Economic Outlook reports; Briefs for the President and Senior Management, etc.
Identify, prepare, evaluate and monitor the implementation of economic programmes, including macroeconomic programmes.
Coordinate the preparation of Country Strategy Papers and other similar deliverables, based on the Regional Member Countries’ Poverty Reduction Strategies and/or the Governments’ Development Agendas.
Maintain effective communication with the sector departments and other relevant units in the Bank and actively participate in review meetings (TQAC meetings, etc.) to ensure a coordinated approach in implementing the Bank’s Strategy and lending operations in assigned countries.
Contribute to operational effectiveness and participate in Country Portfolio Reviews.
Participate in the preparation and monitoring of the implementation of measures under budget support loans.
Participate in aid coordination activities with bilateral and multilateral donors, with emphasis on promoting the co-financing of knowledge products, projects, and programmes.
Undertake Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA).
Participate in the preparation of Country Fragility and Resilience Assessment, Country Risk Assessment.
Participate in preparing ECCE Divisions’ budgets and recruiting consultants; prepare annual and triennial knowledge work programmes and briefs on economic and sectoral developments and economic reform programmes.
Develop and build client relations at all levels and play a promotional role in generating new knowledge activities and related business for the Bank.
Provide mentoring to junior economists.
Competencies (skills, experience, and knowledge)
Hold at least a master’s degree in Economics and other relevant fields and related disciplines.
Have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in macroeconomic policy analysis and management issues and the economics of development at the international level, gained in international organizations or relevant national institutions, working on African development issues and country strategy papers preparation.
Strong planning and organizational skills, including a proven ability to think strategically, seeing the big picture without sacrificing the details, negotiation skills and team building skills, as well as a credible ability to influence and present ideas.
Capacity to connect, understand, and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Ability to handle the high-level demands of a complex organization, including the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Good grasp of the developing countries issues, including publication of peer-reviewed journal papers
Solid technical and quantitative skills as an applied development macroeconomist.
Proven experience and record in economic modelling and forecasting
Competence in the use of at least one standard econometric software for empirical analysis
Very good knowledge of portfolio management and demonstrated knowledge of economics and analytical skills
Strong experience in policy dialogue on the ground, as well as fragility assessment knowledge and skills.
Strong analytical and organizational skills and ability to deliver results on time.
Problem solving capabilities coupled to innovation skills and change management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications.