Principal Country Economist at 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 Country Economist

Position 50069607
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Job type: Full time
Position Grade: PL4

The Position

• Principal Country Economists work under the supervision of the Division Managers in the Country Economics Department and the Lead Economists for the region (on technical matters), and report administratively to Country Managers in charge of their countries of assignment.
• They also work in close collaboration with other internal and external stakeholders, under the guidance of the Lead Economist.
• The Principal Country Economist will focus on macroeconomic and economic development work to deepen country knowledge, strengthen the Bank’s policy dialogues with country, regional, continental and global policymakers, preparation of Economic Sector Works and coordination of the preparation of Country Strategy Papers and other relevant documents (mid-term review, completion report, etc.). Under the Bank’s matrix system, the Principal Country Economist who is a member of the Country Economics Department, will have a solid reporting line to the relevant ECCE Division Manager and a dotted reporting line to the Country Manager where he/she is based. 

Key Functions
The Principal 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 the 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 (Donors, CSO, Private sector, etc) with regular briefs and update on the economic and financial situations, preparation, and participation in meetings.
• Undertake assigned Economic and Sector Work (including Country Diagnostic Notes), focusing on issues of governance profiling; and papers on relevant economic and financial issues in the development process; Country Notes for African Economic Outlook reports, Country Focus Reports, etc.
• Identify, prepare, evaluate, and monitor the implementation of economic programmes, including macroeconomic programmes.
• Coordinate the preparation of Country Strategy Papers, based on the Regional Member Countries’ development strategies.
• Maintain effective communication with the sector departments and other relevant units in the Bank and an active participation in review meetings (Country /regional team meetings) to ensure a coordinated approach in the implementation of the Bank’s Strategy and lending operations in assigned countries.
• 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, etc.
• Participate in the preparation of ECCE Divisions’ budget and in the recruitment of consultants; prepare annual and triennial knowledge work programme and briefs on economic and sectoral developments, economic reforms programmes.
• Develop and build client relations at all levels and plays 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 six (6) years of relevant experience in macroeconomic policy analysis and management issues and the economics of development at 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.
• 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, 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 English, with a good working knowledge of French.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications.

Application Closing Date
20th July, 2025. 

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