Chief Trade Finance Operations Officer, Trade Finance Division 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 Trade Finance Operations Officer, Trade Finance Division

Position Number: 50086959
Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Employment Type: Full-time
Position Grade: PL3

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization is central to the Bank’s mission of developing the private sector, improving infrastructure and accelerating industrialization.
• The complex main functions are to (i) strengthen the enabling environment for private sector [and financial sector] development conducive to inclusive growth and sustainable development, (ii) support the development of reliable and sustainable infrastructure, including cities and urban development, and (iii) place renewed emphasis on industrial and trade performance in support of structural transformation across Africa.
• The Complex leverages knowledge, co-financing, and partnerships to attract private capital and work with governments on delivering the Bank’s development agenda.

The Hiring Department

• The Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department, within the Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex will spearhead the achievement of the High 5s on “Improving the Quality of Life of People in 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 for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education in skills development; (ii) the Public Health and Social Security Division which primarily focuses on health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition; and iii) the Regional Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Division, which covers the central and northern regions of the Bank and focuses in these regions on the Bank's support to regional member countries in the areas of technical and vocational education and training (TVET); higher education with a focus on skills development; and health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition.
• The regional division is dedicated to building a project pipeline, lending and portfolio management for all social sectors (education, health, social protection, youth employment) in the countries of the central and northern regions. It also handles client relations coordination and partnerships in these countries.
• The Regional Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Division focuses on human capital development, vocational training, job creation, empowerment and poverty reduction, health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition for improved and sustainable quality of life and livelihoods of populations in the central and northern regions. In these regions, it also:
• Leads the development and promotion of Bank’s policy and strategy work so that operations which are identified, developed and executed by the regions and effectively implement the Bank’s relevant sector policies and strategies.
• Provides technical guidance/advisory services and expertise to regional hubs by generating relevant knowledge and gathering a pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide technical advice on human capital development.
• Fosters strategic partnerships with regional and global partners to leverage resources into the human and social development sectors. It also directly contributes to the work of the various initiatives and trust funds hosted under the Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department; and provides expertise to support the Vice President’s role as the Bank’s spokesperson to external audiences, and;
• Ensure the coherence of Bank activities in human and social development including health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition in the central and northern regions.

The Position

• The African Development Bank's country office in DRC (COCD) was created to strengthen dialogue between the Bank and the government, development partners, private sector and civil society, particularly regarding the development of Bank policy and programmes, as well as the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) and the five major operational priorities (High 5s). COCD's mission also includes supporting the Bank Group's operational departments regarding the launch and monitoring of projects and programmes conducted in DRC with a view to improving portfolio quality and strengthening the identification process, participatory approach and regional integration.
• The DRC is implementing a full-fledged sector programme in social development, covering, more specifically, aspects of education, health and poverty reduction.
• The approach adopted under the programme calls for a deeper and more comprehensive donor-government partnership. The post holder will be responsible for providing advice on and monitoring activities in the social and human development sector conducted in the country.
• The Principal Social Development Officer reports to the Regional Sector Manager - Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Division (AHHD3). He/she will support the Bank's programme concerning the social sector portfolio and policy dialogue on human capital development particularly in the areas of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), higher education and skills development for employability, health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition, and assumes the following responsibilities:
• Be responsible for mainstreaming human development aspects in sector projects with emphasis on skills development, youth and women's employability and social inclusion, as well as aspects of health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition and integration of gender and youth dimension at all stages of the project cycle (from identification to completion);
• Provide technical strategic guidance/advice to the Country Office on integration of skills, employment, health system strengthening social protection and nutrition and human capital development in general across Bank operations.
• Act as the Bank's focal point for operations and activities related to the Social Sector portfolio, education and skills development, employment, health system strengthening and social protection and nutrition and human development in general.

Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Trade Finance Division Manager and in close collaboration with colleagues in the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization (PIVP) Complex, the Chief Trade Finance Operations Officer will perform the following functions:
Operational Excellence and Portfolio Management:

• As supervisor of the Middle/Back Office, the incumbent is expected to direct the activities of the Middle/Back Office with minimal supervision from the Division Manager.  The incumbent will agree a work plan and objectives with the Manager and regularly update the latter on progress, issues and challenges.
• Lead the administration of all trade finance guarantee arrangements with partner international banks, local banks, regional banks, regional development finance institutions and other and multilateral development banks.
• Supervise and monitor the performance of the trade finance guarantee portfolio and where necessary analyse, develop and implement changes to ensure the products remain relevant to the needs of clients. This includes continuously seeking out ways to improve the middle/back-office architecture such as IT systems, reports, templates and risk management and operating guidelines.
• Oversee the maintenance of the trade finance database used for guaranteed exposure management and tracking of key development outcome indicators by ensuring completeness of reports/documents and accuracy of information.
• Supervise and lead the planning and execution of portfolio supervision and project completion missions to partner Confirming Banks and Issuing Banks. This includes developing terms of reference for the mission and undertaking background review of the portfolio or transactions that will be the subject of the supervision mission. The work also includes assessing the risks of projects and advising senior management on appropriate mitigating measures; structuring/restructuring of projects to minimize financial risks; participating in negotiations on review of the financing terms and legal conditions of portfolio projects.
• Provide technical advice to the Trade Finance Division Manager on trade finance operations and systems issues to achieve operational excellence.
• Participate in and contribute to internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
• Assume overall responsibility for the activities of the middle/back office and coordinate the work of staff in the team including consultants.

Partnerships and strategic alliances:

• Promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across organizational units. Maintain closer collaboration with other Trade Finance Investment Officers to share lessons learnt on a going basis. Develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues in other Divisions such as legal, credit risk, finance, E&S, economic research and compliance.
• Serve as focal point for Trade Finance middle/back-office issues in interactions with external constituencies and expert groups.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Confirming Banks, Issuing Banks, regional Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), sister Multilateral Development Banks and international trade-oriented international organisations such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Bern Union and SWIFT among others on Trade Finance issues and market developments.

People Management and Staff Engagement:

• Supervise a team of professional level trade finance middle/back-office staff in providing efficient and high-quality services to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Be a collaborative member of the Trade Finance Division, contribute and share expertise and foster a collegial environment.
• Contribute to the planning of various initiatives designed to facilitate interaction with other departments and external partner institutions. Participate in the preparation of annual work program/budget of the Division.
• Serve as a mentor and role model to less senior professional staff in the performance of their roles.
• Maintain a high standard of professional integrity and trust. Treat individuals fairly and respectfully; and be sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities and gender.

Corporate Communication and External Engagements:

• Communicate effectively with staff and management through the preparation of high-quality information notes, analytical reports on the trade finance guarantee portfolio and presentations.
• Represent the Trade Finance Division and the Bank at key trade finance meetings and on committees of major trade finance organisations.

Competencies (skills, experience and knowledge)

• A minimum of a master’s degree in finance, Banking, Economics or related discipline. Training and certificate in Trade Finance middle/back-office operations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience leading a middle/back-office team.
• Sound knowledge of financial sector and trade finance issues and a demonstrated ability to engage in expert discussions on trade finance operations and systems issues.
• A minimum of 7 years progressive experience in trade finance middle/back-office operations in a commercial bankor development finance institution. It is highly desirable to have at least 3 years relevant work experience in Africa.  
• Expert knowledge of the trade finance middle/back-office operations market in Africa and proven track record in managing a portfolio of trade finance projects/transactions.
• Experience in developing and managing trade finance middle/back-office operations in a financial institution.
• Demonstrated understanding and practical appreciation of UCP 600, ISP 98, URDG 758 and other documentary credit issuance rules.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals and practices of multilateral development finance institutions.
• Strong writing, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills that yield positive outcomes in complex stakeholder engagements with senior internal and external counterparts. This includes demonstrated ability to represent the Bank at high level conferences, panel discussions and workshops on trade finance.
• Highly developed decision making and analytical thinking skills with the ability to translate strategic concepts and direction into successful and sustainable initiatives and programs.
• Proficiency in English or French with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP and database management systems is desirable.

Application Closing Date
28th March, 2025.

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