Principal Research Economist - Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment (ADOA) at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/17/236
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL4
Position N°: 50069153

The Complex

• The Chief Economist/Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management is the Bank’s spokesperson on economic matters and the Vice Presidence for the ‘Economics Governance and Knowledge Management Complex’.
• The Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management is responsible for (i) providing leadership and visibility for the Bank on economic, finance, financial governance and socio economic development issues; and coordinate the generation of analytical works to inform operational policy; (ii) systematically emphasize the critical role of knowledge, experience, lessons learnt and their tangible impact on sustainable, inclusive transformation of African economies.
• The Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management will inspire, generate and provide direct support to the President and Senior Management of the Bank on a broad range of technical and management issues within the broad remit of economic, finance, public financial governance, management and social economics.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Macroeconomics Policy, Forecasting And Research Department is dedicated to the generation of high quality knowledge in the area of development in Africa. It provides technical support to operations and regional member countries through rigorous analytical work; engages in impactful policy dialogue with decision-making bodies within and outside of the Bank; and most importantly enhance the operational effectiveness of the Bank in achieving the High 5s.
• The activities of the department are structured around the Macroeconomic Policy, Debt Sustainability and Forecasting on one side, and the Microeconomics, Institutional and Development Impact on the other.
• The Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division focuses on microeconomic issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, private sector development, industrial organizations, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, agriculture, institutions, and regional integration to support the High 5s.
• In addition, the Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division is the institutional anchor of the ex-ante Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment and Impact Evaluation of the Bank’s operations, as such it is a key element of the Bank Results Framework and the primary tool for mainstreaming Development Outcomes.

The Position

• Principal Research Economist ADOA-PUBLIC, as part of the Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment team will contribute to the Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment work both through assessing and rating public sector operations (PUB) as well as producing analytical work and research to inform operations, management and Bank clients in Regional Member Countries.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of Division manager of the Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division, the  Principal Research Economist ADOA - Public will:

• Undertake Ex-ante Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment of Bank’s public sector operations:
  • Conduct ex-ante Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment of the African Development Bank Public Sector Operations, Regional Operations, and any other type of operation as required by the management.
  • Review other team members’ ADOA notes and supervise the work of junior staff.
  • Carry out any revisions to the ADOA framework for public sector operations on the basis of implementation experience and lessons from other Development Finance institutions.
• Conduct research in the areas supporting the Bank’s High 5s (High priority areas: Light Up and Power Africa (Energy), Feed Africa (Agriculture and Nutrition), Industrialize Africa (Industrialization), Integrate Africa (Regional Integration) and Improve quality of live for Africans (Sustainable socio-economic development)). This includes also strengthening knowledge generation in the area of inclusive and green growth.
• Provide inputs into the production of the Bank’s flagship publications:
  • Contribute to the preparation of the report or assigned section, write the sections and follow it (peer review until the publication.
  • Disseminate the findings of reports.
• Provide technical and analytical inputs into the work of Operations Complexes:
  • Provide input into Country Strategy Papers.
  • Participate in Economic Sector Works.
  • Participate in the peer-review process of project, program, policy documents, including documents submitted to the Operations Committee.
• Contribute knowledge in the Bank’s  “Working Papers Series " and the Bank’s "African Development Review":
  • Publish research papers and review submitted articles to the African Development Review and Working Paper Series.
• Contribute to collaborative research and knowledge management activities carried out jointly with regional and international organizations, research and capacity building institutions in Africa, development research centers and universities.
• Review operation documents and participate in review meetings.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Manager

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• At least a PHD Degree in Economics, Public Finance, or related discipline.
• A minimum of six (6) years of experience in development policy research and analysis of economic issues related to finance, infrastructure development, private sector development, industrial organizations, governance & institutions, agriculture, competitiveness & investment climate, and regional integration, Public Private Partnerships or sector operations.
• Publication record in international peer reviewed journals or proven record of publications of reports, working papers, books focusing on public finance management, sovereign operations financing or issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, industrial organizations, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, agriculture, institutions, and regional integration.
• Very Good knowledge and background in the use of statistical and econometric methods and packages in project evaluation, public finance and development economics research.
• Proven ability in development policy research and analysis of economic conditions that are of relevance for the High 5s (Bank priority areas).
• Ability to design and conduct research projects/programs with limited supervision
• Proven skills in drafting and preparation of policy memoranda, speeches and notes for use in decision making processes.
• Communicate and write effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of leading econometrics software packages and in Microsoft Suites (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access).