Chief Litigation and Quality Assurance 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: Chief Litigation and Quality Assurance Officer

Position Number: 50078447
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL3

The Complex

• The President plans, supervises and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the ADB and the ADF.
• The President supervises several Departments and Divisions including Office of the President; Independent Development Evaluation Department; Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department; Compliance Review and Mediation Department; Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board; Administrative Tribunal; Office of the Auditor General; Group Risk Management Function Directorate;  General Counsel and Legal Services Department; Communication and External Relations Department; Ethics Office and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat.

The Hiring Department

• The Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department (PIAC) plays an integral role in achieving this mandate by protecting the Bank’s corporate image and reputation, and improving the continent's investment climate through the deterrence, prevention and reduction of fraud, corruption, staff misconduct and other harmful practices within the Bank Group.
• PIAC has the overriding mandate to undertake unhindered investigations into allegations of corruption, fraud and other malpractices in Bank Group Financed Operations and conduct investigations into allegations of misconduct involving staff members of the Bank.
• With regard to investigations into sanctionable practices, the Chief Litigation and Quality Assurance Officer examines the details of a case concluded by the investigators and decides, under the direction of the Manager of PIAC2, whether to initiate the litigation phase in line with the Bank sanctions procedures.
• With regard to staff misconduct investigations, he/she examines the investigation report, assesses the evidence gathered and the case law of the Bank's Administrative Tribunal and those of sister institutions, and decides, under the direction of the PIAC2 Manager, whether or not to submit the report to the Bank's Human Resources Department for consideration and disciplinary proceedings.
• In addition, he/she is responsible for ensuring that all legal aspects are well addressed in the investigation process and reporting.

The Position

• The Investigations Division (PIAC.2) of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department shall have the overriding mandate to undertake unhindered investigations into allegations of sanctionable practices and staff misconduct.
• The Chief Litigation and Quality Assurance Officer shall conduct comprehensive examinations into investigation reports of allegations of staff misconduct, fraud, corruption and other malpractices in Bank Group-financed Operations and ensure that legal aspects are all covered in the investigation process and the reports produced in the Investigation Division. The outcome of these investigations will be transmitted under mechanisms elaborated under the Bank's Sanctions' processes, Human Resources, and Senior Management.
• In undertaking examinations of investigation reports, the Chief Litigation and Quality Assurance Officer shall maintain the highest standard of professional proficiency and integrity, and shall be guided by ethos of confidentiality, fairness, equity and due diligence.

Key Functions
Under the supervision of the Division Manager PIAC2, the key objectives of this position are to:

• Lead the design and implementation of PIAC’s quality assurance and litigation function, which includes the drafting of sanction legal instruments in accordance with harmonized documents between multilateral development banks;
• Receive, screen, and examine investigation reports flowing from allegations or whistleblowing on Staff Misconduct, Fraud, Corruption and mal practices or suspicions thereof, in the bank and in activities financed by the Bank, assigned by the Division Manager PIAC2;
• Employ surveillance measures deemed necessary and reasonable for the furtherance of investigations;
• Report regularly to the Division Manager PIAC2 on the investigation reports received, screened and their completion status;
• Monitor the implementation of investigation recommendations and report the status to the Division Manager PIAC2;
• Recommend debarment and imposition of sanctions against individuals, firms and companies found to have engaged in sanctionable practices;
• Assure the implementation of best practices in PIAC’s investigative activities, as well as the highest standards in all written products, while ensuring that the products submitted, and representations made before the Sanctions System and the Human Resource Vice-Presidency, are accurate and impactful;
• Engage with investigators in a timely and effective manner to provide input and assure the highest quality in PIAC’s Findings of Sanctionable Practices, Settlement Agreements, Replies to Appeals, Final investigation reports into alleged staff misconduct, and other relevant documents, including a thorough review of the substantiation of the case in accordance with the required evidentiary standard and of the accuracy, clarity, and completeness of charges and arguments;
• Build knowledge among the investigation and prevention teams by sharing findings and lessons learned from submissions to and decisions issued by the Sanctions System, and the Human Resource Vice-Presidency;
• Lead activities that require deep understanding of policies and procedures and build technical expertise within the investigation team on case precedents, consistent interpretation of policies, and implementation of best practices;
• Carry out an effective approach to the strategy for the litigation of PIAC’s cases within the Sanctions System, innovating where warranted to achieve positive results;
• Under the supervision of the Division Manager PIAC2, represent PIAC in high-stakes hearings before the Sanctions Committee when a case decision is appealed;
• Liaise with peer quality assurance specialists and litigators at other Multilateral Development Banks integrity offices and act as a technical point of contact representing PIAC;
• Liaise with peer institutions to exchange best practices on how to better substantiate cases of Sanctionable Practices and Staff Misconduct, and effectively identify areas of collaboration, including coordination of Cross-debarment-related matters, internally and with the institutions that are parties to the Cross-debarment Agreement;
• Interact with the lawyers of the entities accused of sanctionable practices;
• Act as the legal focal point for all matters arising from reports of investigations into staff misconduct;
• Provide legal and evidentiary review comments and guidance on planning, execution and reporting on investigations;
• Assist in the provision of legal support and guidance on investigations, conducting engagements and producing work outputs such as Findings of Sanctionable Practices and Settlement Agreements related to the sanctions process and other legal matters as required;
• Undertake relevant legal research and analysis relating to investigation cases and anti-corruption in general;
• Controlling evidence and data collection and reviewing documents and information gathered in the course of an investigation to ensure that investigation objectives are achieved; evidence legally collected and protected, and adequately support the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the investigation;
• Prepare and edit required written outputs of the highest quality with logical and clear presentations of investigative findings;
• Under the supervision of the Division Manager PIAC2, assist the Division Manager PIAC1 in conducting fraud risk assessment and prevention efforts in the Bank;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives which prevent fraud and corruption in the Bank Group;
• Prepare quarterly activity reports containing the status of litigation and quality assurance services, and assignment progress for the attention of PIAC2 Manager;
• Contributes to the preparation of the Annual Reports of the Department;
• Contribute to special initiatives/projects and undertake other ad hoc assignments upon demand by PIAC2 Manager;

Competencies (Skill, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold a minimum of Master's Degree in Law, Criminal Justice or Criminology or related field;
• Have a minimum of seven (7) years of extensive and progressive experience in legal and litigation services, anti-corruption, fraud, or workplace investigation including in a multi-lateral development financial institution or relevant international company or organization;
• Experience in prosecution or litigation of national and/or transnational corruption/collusion and/or related white-collar crime and misconduct;
• Substantial experience in investigative work, preferably investigations relating to professional misconduct in public or private sector, such experience may include extensive knowledge in business ethics and compliance, internal fraud, and abuse and/or investigations into alleged professional unethical behaviors in a corporate or government setting;
• Excellent knowledge of law and specially fraud and anti-corruption laws;
• Strong legal ability and litigation experience;
• Excellent communications and presentation skills, both oral and written; proven ability to prepare clearly and concisely, present, discuss and defend issues, findings, and recommendations at senior levels and to produce complex and compelling briefs, reports, papers, etc;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a team/task force as participant or team leader and with senior officials internally and externally;
• Strong organizational and analytical ability with attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and manage challenges;
• Integrity, good judgment, fairness, and discretion in dealing with staff and external parties;
• Excellent problem-solving skills;
• Strong client orientation;
• Effective Teamwork and relationship management;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written; proven ability to prepare clearly and concisely, present, discuss and defend issues, findings, and recommendations at senior levels and to produce complex and compelling briefs, reports, papers, etc;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a team/task force as participant or team leader and with senior officials internally and externally;
• Strong organizational and analytical ability with attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and manage challenges;
• Integrity, good judgment, fairness, and discretion in dealing with entities, staff, and external parties;
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English or French;
• Able to speak and write effectively in both English and French would be a serious advantage;
• Competence in the use of the Bank standard software applications (Word, Excel. Power point).

Application Closing Date
13th January, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online