African Development Bank (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 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Officer
Reference: ADB/17/166
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL4
Position N°: 50093741
The Complex
- The Vice Presidency for 'Agriculture, Human, and Social Development' is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank's Ten Year Strategy High 5s priority of "Feed Africa" and "Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa".
- The complex objectives are (i) to develop, policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) the VP will act as the spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.
The Hiring Department / Division
The Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department works closely with the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department and the Regional Directorates to provide support for the delivery of Feed Africa: Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, 2016-2025.
The core mandate of Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department is to develop the strategy of the Bank related to agricultural and rural finance and rural development, represent the Bank with external stakeholders, provide sector expertise to the regions by gathering experts who can be consulted by operations and closing the financing gap for private sector-led development of agricultural value chains.
The Department is to mobilize and deploy the required expertise; and, provide support the design and implementation of agricultural finance and rural development operations for key commodity value chains. The department is structured into two Divisions: (i) Agriculture and Rural Finance Division; and (ii) Rural Infrastructure Development Division.
The Rural Infrastructure Development Division has the following deliverables:
- High-quality and Innovative Instruments for Rural Infrastructure Integrated into Projects
- Practical Implementation Arrangements with Key Implementing Partners
- Knowledge Management of Rural Infrastructure Best Practices
- Enabling Environment and Alliances with Key Stakeholders
- Monitoring of Performance and Recommendations for Corrective Actions
The Position
The main purposes of the Principal Information and Communication Technologies Officer in the Rural Infrastructure Development Division are:
- Support to an enabling environment for rural development for agricultural transformation, focused on development and upgrading for 18 key priority value chains articulated in the Feed Africa Strategy in targeted Agro Ecological Zones
- Provide support and expertise to regional directorates on soft infrastructure through new information and communication technologies increasing the participation of rural youth, women and smallholder farmers in the 18 priority commodity value chains in targeted Agro Ecological Zones;
- Ensure adoption of social and environmental safeguards for rural infrastructure.
- Monitor and report on the implementation of the rural infrastructure instruments and their contribution to Feed Africa and action plan.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Principal Information and Communication Technologies Officer, under the oversight of the Division Manager Rural Infrastructure Development performs the following:
1.) The technical oversight:
- Implement the Action Plan for Rural Infrastructure Development for 2017 and the next 3 years, which includes innovative new products that take into consideration smallholder farmers and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, women and youth, and that facilitate sustainable and integrated value chain development;
- Provide technical support and oversight to the Regional Directorates and country teams for soft infrastructure through new information and communication technologies increasing the participation of rural youth, women and smallholder farmers in the 18 priority commodity value chains in targeted Agro Ecological Zones;
- Provide technical support and oversight to the conceptualization and guide the implementation of Rural Information and Communication Technologies Infrastructure for Agropoles and Agro-industrialization and other value chain development projects;
- Support Regional Member Countries and Task Managers in the identification, preparation and appraisal of Rural Information and Communication Technologies Infrastructure for country operations;
- Enhance project implementation quality, timeliness and integrity through developing and implementing controls that minimize slippages;
- Develop and implementing performance monitoring and evaluation systems and reporting activities (including KPIs - Key Performance Indicators- ) to enable transparent assessment of rural market infrastructure outcomes and impacts, both for internal and external circulation;
- Establish synergies between the Rural Information and Communication Technologies Infrastructure and the Bank’s other flagship programs for Agricultural Transformation in Africa: Agropoles and Agro-Industrial Zones;
- Maintain regular communication channels with stakeholders on progress and achievement of agriculture value chain financing operations as well as emerging constraints and opportunities;
- Establish and maintain strategic collaboration with relevant partners in the area Rural Information and Communication Technologies Infrastructure for the sector;
- Define and monitor a set of impact indicators particularly around development impact and job creation for women and youth;
- Formulate alliance strategy with actors along value chains with a particular focus on public private partnerships (at the country and continent level) to engage stakeholders in alignment of sustainable socio-economic development goals;
- Agree upon follow up arrangements for project designs and technical assistance for implementation upon consultation with concerned the bank’s country offices;
- Supervise annual work plan budget preparation and follow its execution, and advise senior management on the budgetary and financial impacts of the division’s operations;
- Review all reports and papers prepared by the staff of the Division and give appropriate guidance;
2.) Leadership:
- Manage the efficient use of the financial and human resources. On the technical front the work requires analytical and strategic skills, as well as personal knowledge and practical experience in the main areas of Bank intervention.
- Ensure high-quality output within available resources, by making the best use of its human, financial and technological assets, and by monitoring and enforcing efficiency targets;
- Supervise complex project identification, preparation and appraisal for Bank Group financing and verify quality of the projects;
3.) Staff engagement:
- Serve as a role model, leading by example, builds alignment and commitment. Is courageous in challenging others to move the Bank forward;
- Promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across teams and across organizational units;
- Maintain a high standard of professional integrity, treat individuals fairly and respectively and be sensitive to the diversity.
4.) Corporate communication:
- Ensure effective communication between the Management and staff of the Bank, the authorities of member countries, officials from other organizations;
- Monitor best practice in the field and, as appropriate, liaise with counterparts in other organization
- Performs other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
- Hold at least a Master's degree or its equivalent in Agriculture, Engineering, Rural Development or closely related disciplines.
- Have a minimum of least six (6) years relevant professional experience in the area of Public Private Partnerships;
- Strong Information and Communication Technologies experience
- Sound Experience with International Development Financing Institutions in developing countries including a satisfactory knowledge of their operational policies and procedures;
- Proven leadership in matters relating to rural development such as policy dialogue, technical review of reports and consultation with other financiers, among others.
- Significant experience in the provision of specialist technical advice, support and assistance within an information technology environment
- Knowledge of Africa and the rural development needs, opportunities, development challenges and possible solutions;
- Demonstrated experience in undertaking complex Information and Communication Technologies projects and providing Information and Communication Technologies solution design services that align with organisational requirements
- Ability to identify and create meaningful linkages across sectors to drive development impact at a country and regional level.
- Ability to lead and guide staff team from different backgrounds and in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with and among staff of the Division;
- Communicate and write effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
- Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.
Application Closing Date
13th June, 2017.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online