Principal Financial Markets Officer at African Development Bank - AfDB

The primary role of the Financial Sector Development Department (OFSD) is to help the regional member countries (RMCs) increase reach (e.g. financial inclusion), depth (e.g. financial intermediation), and breadth of financial systems (e.g. capital market, cross-border development). The mission of the Department has four long-term objectives: (i) development of a vibrant private sector through an inclusive access by households and enterprises to financial services; (ii) strengthening markets participants; (iii) developing efficient capital markets, and (iv) deepening regional financial integration.

The Financial Markets Division (OFSD3) of OFSD will focus on projects aiming to create more efficient financial markets and institutions capable of mobilizing domestic savings and allocating scarce capital.  Because investment finance provided by the development community supplies only a minute fraction of the capital used by private agents across Africa, OFSD3 will endeavor to channel the Bank Group’s resources in ways that develop national financial systems.

The Principal Financial Markets Officer will work under the guidance and supervision of the Division Manager.
Her/His duties and responsibilities will include:

• Participating in or leading the preliminary evaluation of both lending and non-lending projects. This involves the initial screening of project applications, carrying out of desk reviews and evaluation of feasibility studies, preparing preliminary evaluation notes for presentation to the Department Management Team and more detailed project concept notes to obtain concept clearance for full appraisal or fact-finding missions;
• Participating in or leading the planning and execution of appraisal and fact-finding missions. This includes developing terms of reference for the mission and for short-term consultants to be engaged for the mission, coordinating the work of the mission team which usually includes professional staff from other departments within the Bank, and carrying out independent research. The work also includes assessing the risks of projects and advising on appropriate structure or conducting preliminary negotiations with sponsors;
• Preparing or leading the preparation of project appraisal reports for presentation to the Department, the various review committees and finally to the Board of Directors. Develop innovative and appropriate Financial structures for complex transactions;
• Ensuring that all conditions precedent have been fulfilled on a timely basis and all fees are billed and collected from clients;
• Developing relationships within the Bank and with other institutions involved in financial markets development; represent the Bank at and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences dealing with financial markets issues;
• Playing an active role in coaching and mentoring more junior investment officers;
• Coordinating closely with social environmental, and technical assistance colleagues in order to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact;
• Assist in integrity due diligence for potential clients;
• Maintaining knowledge of African financial markets/transaction structuring and provide market intelligence;
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop the sector and to develop specific investment opportunities.

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

At least a Master’s or its equivalent in Development Economics, or any other discipline that is relevant to the  operations of the Bank; strong knowledge of socio-economic development issues and policies of African countries.
Preferably a minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience;

• Demonstrated good knowledge of the operational policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral development agencies;
• Good operation experience in the Bank, with broad skills in operations evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and with strong analytical skills in assessment of institutional capacities and projects implementation;
• Excellent organizational, analytical, coordination and communication skills;
• Integrity, and ability to work under pressure and to deliver timely quality services;
• Ability to work accurately, methodically and to meet deadlines;
• Ability to work independently or within team; demonstrated mature sense of judgment;
• Ability to work and cooperate with others from diverse backgrounds;  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French, and preferably with a working knowledge of the other language;
• Competence in the use of Bank standard softwares (word, Excel, Access and Power point).