Director Corporate Programs of the Chief Economist / Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management 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: Director Corporate Programs of the Chief Economist / Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management

Position Number: 50064874
Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Employment Type: Full-time
Position Grade: EL5

The Complex

• The core mandate of the Vice Presidency (ECVP) is to lead the Bank Group on prioritizing the generation, analysis, dissemination, brokering and implementation of relevant knowledge solutions in all High-5 operational priorities and the cross-cutting themes of its Ten-Year Strategy. 
• Such solutions must be a clear response to priority development challenges facing regional member countries (RMCs), individually or collectively and need to involve RMCs in both the planning and implementation of the solutions. 
• The solutions include: (i) research on major development issues facing Africa and their relation to global economic governance and other major global public goods; (ii) country diagnostics and future perspectives; (iii) policy dialogue and advisory services; (iv) economic, sector, and thematic knowledge work; (v) improving national and sub-regional statistical systems; (vi) preparation, design and support to implementation of public financial management and Governance operations; (vii) capacity development for policy formulation and implementation; (viii) technical assistance and advice related to RMCs’ management of natural resources; and (vii) knowledge dissemination and development of national, regional, and inter-regional knowledge networks.

The Hiring Department

• The Office of the Chief Economist and Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management has the main responsibility of providing advice and analysis to the President, Senior Management and Board of Directors on key development issues facing Africa and the Bank in the following areas: research programs, economic issues, financial and non-financial products, knowledge dissemination and communication. 
• The Office coordinates the Bank’s efforts to achieving this strategic mandate of being a knowledge institution.

The Position

• The Director, Corporate Programs of the Chief Economist/Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management will be responsible for leading the effort to strengthen the link between the research work of the Bank and its economic and sector work and help ensure that the Bank’s Country Strategy Papers are based on solid research and Economic and Sector Work.
• More generally, the Advisor will support the Chief Economist and Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management to deliver on the Complex mandate.

Responsibilities
Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Economist/Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, the Director, Corporate Programs will:
Technical advisory role:

• Support the Chief Economist and Vice President in coordinating the work of the Economic Governance and Knowledge Management Complex and liaise with the Bank’s economists to provide quality assurance on the Complex’s work programs and ensure timely and quality delivery of the Complex’s key performance indicators each year.
• Provide executive leadership and oversight on the flagship knowledge products and special initiatives of the Bank.
• Coordinate the Bank’s responses to Africa’s development policy challenges in an evolving global economic and political context and propose policy responses appropriate for African countries’ national realities.
• Coordinate the implementation of the Bank’s corporate management policies, directives, and procedures, and liaise with ECVP Directors to ensure full compliance with the Economic Governance and Knowledge Management Ecosystem across the Bank Group.
• Coordinate the quality assurance and delivery of reports/documents to the Bank’s Senior Management, including the President’s Office, Senior Management Coordination Committees, and relevant Committees.
• Coordinate the preparation of briefs on operational policy issues of concern to the Chief Economist and Vice-President Complex and monitor, as necessary, the preparation of papers by the Departments and Units.
• Chair the Bank Group’s Knowledge Management Committee and implement programs to facilitate stronger linkages and synergy between the bank's knowledge-generating departments, other Units of the Bank Group, and key partner institutions.
• Lead policy dialogue and technical assistance in the Regional Member Countries.
• Interface as needed with Management, internal and external stakeholders on ECVP’s programs and its contribution to the High 5s.
• Contribute proactively to issues that cut across the Bank/other H5s and actively collaborate with other Departments in the Complex and the Bank to provide for seamless integration and avoid duplication.
• Coordinate the monitoring of corporate performance and the elaboration of required corrective measures and actions.
• Review technical briefs, speeches, and talking points for the Chief Economist/Vice President as may be assigned.
• Facilitate stronger linkages and synergy between the bank's knowledge-generating departments, other Units of the Bank Group, and key partner institutions.

Office activities coordination:

• Coordinate the preparation and implementation of the front office work program, resource allocation and management budgets, and human resources.
• Coordinate the implementation of cross-departmental initiatives and institutional reforms to achieve organizational effectiveness, drive efficiency, and enhance delivery.
• Liaise with ECVP Directors to ensure effective implementation of the decisions made by the Board, the President, and the Chief Economist regarding Departments and units under the Chief Economist and Vice-President complex.
• Represent the Chief Economist in Corporate meetings of the Bank Group, including the Senior Management Coordination Committee (SMCC), the Operations Committee (OPSCOM), and other meetings and missions as may be assigned by the Chief Economist/Vice President.
• Build and manage the Bank’s knowledge networks with sister multi-lateral Development Banks, International Organisations, and other Stakeholders.
• Undertake ad hoc assignments as requested by the Chief Economist.

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 bank or 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
29th March, 2025.

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