Executive Secretary- Head of Administrative Tribunal at African Development Bank - AfDB

The Administrative Tribunal (the “Tribunal”), established in the context of the reform of the governance structures of the African Development Bank (the “Bank”), is an independent body whose function is to render final judicial decisions on cases brought by staff members against the Bank concerning their terms and conditions of employment. The Tribunal’s decisions are binding on the Bank. The Executive Secretary is the Head of the Organizational Unit responsible for all legal, budgeting and administrative functions of the Tribunal. The Executive Secretary is the principal officer responsible for the orderly discharge of the legal and administrative work of the Tribunal.

Under the supervision of the President of the Tribunal, the Executive Secretary will carry out the following functions:

• Plans, directs, organizes, manages and administers the work and activities relating to the processing and disposal of cases filed by staff members against the Bank to ensure the proper and efficient treatment of the cases, and discharges all other administrative functions as the President of the Tribunal may assign: 
• Carries out research for Judges on issues of the law and fact raised in cases;
• Prepares summaries of facts, analysis and contentions of parties for all cases;
• Prepares initial drafts of reasoning and operative parts of judgments and orders;
• Advises applicants and counsel on procedural issues;
• Receives applications instituting proceedings and related documentation of cases;
• Transmits documents and makes notifications required in connection with cases of the Tribunal;
• Prepares for each case a dossier recording all actions taken; and
• Organizes sessions of the Tribunal and acts as Secretary of the Tribunal during the sessions.
• Supervises and coordinates the work of staff of the Tribunal’s Secretariat.
• Sets overall objectives and develops work programme for the staff of the Secretariat of the Tribunal.
• Conducts annual performance evaluation and assists staff in the Secretariat in respect of performance and career development issues.
• Prepares and manages the budget of the Tribunal.
• Prepares Annual Reports of the Tribunal for transmission to the President of the Bank.
• Makes proper arrangements for the publication and dissemination of the Tribunal’s judgments.
• Reviews, as and when directed by the Tribunal, the Tribunal’s Rules of Procedure.

Represents the Tribunal in all meetings inside and outside the Bank.

• Organizes trainings and outreach missions on the Bank’s recourses mechanisms.
• Co-ordinates the activities of the Judges of the Tribunal.
• Manages the records of the Tribunal.
• Interacts positively with the staff of the Bank, at all levels, including Senior Management, while maintaining the independence of the Tribunal and the confidentiality of its work.
• Assists the Judges in the research of pertinent and applicable law and case law.

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s Degree in Law, (with an emphasis on International Law), or a first degree plus a relevant combination of relevant academic qualification in law (ie: Juris Doctor (JD)) plus admission to the Bar in a Member country;
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ relevant experience, preferably with an international organization or working for the  judiciary system of a Member country, with solid practical knowledge of international administrative and labour law, including employment issues in international organizations;
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• Ability to work independently and to cope with multiple demands and competing priorities under pressure;
• Ability to work sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and respect for diversity and ability to build effective relationships and trust with Judges, colleagues and other stakeholders;
• High degree of personal integrity and great sense of discretion.
• Proven experience in working with administrative tribunals of international organizations (sisters institutions) would be an advantage;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English or French with good working knowledge of the other language; and
• Competence in the use of standard software applications in use at the Bank.