Senior program officer, JSSO at African Development Bank - AfDB

The Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO), based in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The main purpose of the JSSO is to strengthen collaboration and coordination and leverage synergies between the three institutions. The Office therefore works closely with the three institutions to monitor and follow up on the implementation of joint initiatives such as the PIDA, Agenda 2063, the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), ClimDev, etc.

The Incumbent will work closely with the Coordinator to implement joint initiative to strengthen the collaboration between the three institutions.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general guidance of the Director of ONRI and the specific technical guidance and administrative supervision of the JSSO Coordinator, the senior Program Officer of the JSSO will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Write reports  and briefs for the JSSO related to key continental initiatives such as Agenda 2063, ClimDEV, BIAT, CFTA, & PIDA;
• Provide technical input to seminars, Workshops and meetings organized by JSSO;
• Monitor implementation of  joint programmes & ensure complementarity among the three continental institutions: AUC, UNECA & AfDB; 
• Help to determine new and emerging issues requiring strategic intervention by the three institutions;
• Ensure that cooperation arrangements are program-oriented and based on the common priority areas;
• Identify resource requirements of the JSSO and its activities as well as potential funding sources;
• Coordinate the on-going collaboration between the three institutions in the area of regional integration, particularly with regard to the implementation of NEPAD programmes and activities such as the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), the prioritization of NEPAD programs, implementation of the African Action Plan (AAP) and participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and their related programs and meetings;
• Provide technical input to technical reports and supervise research reports commissioned by JSSO secretariat;
• Represent the Bank, upon delegation by the JSSO Coordinator or other relevant Bank departments, in joint meetings with the ECA, AUC and other Addis Ababa-based institutions and help coordinate joint initiatives;
• Prepare each year a Report on the Status of collaboration between the three institutions.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree in social sciences, development, economics international relations   and related fields.
• A minimum of six years  of relevant professional experience
• Excellent writing and analytical skills (an added advantage)
• Knowledge of Bank  policies and good working knowledge of the AUC and ECA
• Experience in dealing with national and regional authorities.
• Proven ability to conduct research, analyse and synthesize information and produce reports.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Language skills: proficiency in English and French, given that the incumbent will be required to interact with highest authorities of the three institutions and member countries, RECs, DFIs, ROs, the media, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, sometimes on a one-to-one basis.