Chief Economist and Vice President at African Development Bank - AfDB

The Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President, reports to the President and is responsible for providing leadership and visibility for the Bank on economic, financial and socio economic development issues. The incumbent must be a world class economist, with extensive experience in economics, finance, statistics, fiscal and economic management.

The Chief Economist and Vice President will lead analytical work to inform the Bank’s strategic directions and support Regional Member Countries through first-rate knowledge and technical policy support operations.

The Chief Economist and Vice President will be tasked to turn around and revamp the Economics Complex in the Bank, provide strategic re-orientation, build up a first rate group of macro-economists and Economic Policy analysts, that can provide top-notch economic and policy support to Regional Member Countries and private sector.

Duties and responsibilities

The African Development Bank is seeking a Chief Economist and Vice President to lead in revamping the complex, including developing a strong link to operations and providing macro-economic advise to its Member Countries, and position the Bank as the premier knowledge institution in the continent. Reporting to the President of the Bank, the Chief Economist and Vice President’s responsibilities are as follows:

• Frame and implement appropriate economic research agenda for the Bank at country, regional and global levels. In this regard provide leadership to undertake and disseminate research and related analysis on economic development and priority socio-economic issues in support of the policies and operations of the Bank as well as the knowledge base of its regional member countries (RMCs).
• Build national and regional institutions for economics and Policy Research, and develop relationships with RMCs, through sharpened understanding of their particular interests and concerns and providing authoritative advice and guidance on emerging economic and financial issues. Promote information sharing within and between Member Countries.
• Elevate the profile and advocate the incorporation of rigorous economic research and analysis into project design, implementation and evaluation.
• Provide leadership for the promotion of robust economic analysis, including development of the statistical capacities and systems in RMCs for the provision of timely and reliable data for policy dialogue and formulation.
• Provide leadership for timely periodic reporting of financial, and economic analysis with emphasis on RMCs and for the production and dissemination of relevant statistical data on Bank programs and projects.
• Provide direct support to the President and Senior Management of the Bank on a broad range of technical and management issues by providing reports, briefings and other information. Co-ordinate the Bank’s knowledge work and serve as editor of the Bank knowledge products. Develop and foster partnerships with relevant international and regional institutions to ensure coordination of activities and to leverage the Bank’s resources to the benefit of member states.  
• As assigned, represent the Bank’s management on economic and financial issues in international and regional fora and provide the leadership required to safeguard and strengthen stakeholder’s confidence in the Bank’s operations.
• Participate in the development of policies and innovative approaches to position the Bank as a learning/knowledge sharing organization.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• Hold a PhD degree in Economics with extensive experience in Macro-economics, Fiscal Management, Statistics, Finance, or related discipline.
• A minimum of 15 years relevant and demonstrable experience acquired in the area of development economics, academia or multilateral institutions. The last 5 years should be at a senior management level.
• Must be a visionary, with in-depth knowledge of the state of economic, financial and social development in Africa, within the wider global economy, and the linkages within different economic sectors as well as across regions.
• Commitment to consistent delivery of the highest quality outputs, with deep technical understanding and attention to detail.
• Strong outreach competencies with ability to confidently speak at international fora on economic development issues.  Excellent public  relations skills with all potential users of Bank knowledge work and statistics – the press, analysts, academics, professional bodies, MDBs and other international organizations, and government departments.
• A strong record of publications in the area of economic development, statistical systems development or capacity building with well delineated policy implications.
• Familiarity with the work of other multilateral and bilateral development finance institutions and the private sector, especially their roles in supporting economic reform and poverty reduction.
• Experience of working in large, multicultural organizations in the public or private sector with a diverse workforce and sensitivity to diversity concerns of staff and Boards of Directors.
• Established reputation and track record of performance, innovations and change management.
• Creativity in providing guidance on innovative and cutting-edge solutions to Africa’s economic challenges.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with oversight bodies such as Boards of Executive Directors and Governors and other senior management and government officials.
• Ability to think strategically and design long-term plans and programs to develop staff competences in line with strategic priorities.
• Ability to inspire, generate and sustain staff commitment and professional excellence.
• Good negotiating skills and ability to communicate orally and write effectively in English and/or French, with a working knowledge of the other.