Lead Strategy Advisor at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/17/443
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL2
Position N°: 50071285

The Complex

• The Senior Vice-Presidency complex (SNVP) is responsible for supporting the President in the day-to-day management of the Bank Group to achieve it strategic objective, and drive performance culture that will align all processes and systems to deliver high impact results.
• The SNVP will provide effective leadership and exceptional coordination to ensure implementation and monitoring of key corporate decisions as well as the identification of necessary corrective measures and actions.
• The SNVP leads senior management discussions, decisions-making process and the implementation of key board and management decisions.

The Hiring Department

• The Strategy and Operational Policy Department (SNSP) plays a key role in shaping a corporate vision and a strategic perspective for the African Development Bank as well as developing the operational policies aimed at guiding the Bank’s agenda.
• The primary roles of the department are: (i) to develop and help maintain (along with other units) corporate strategies and operational policies necessary for the Bank to deliver according to the spirit of its Charter and in line with the Bank’s 2013-2022 Strategy, the High 5 priorities, and other strategies; (ii) to play a prominent role in keeping the Bank a strategy-focused organization in line with its policies;  (iii) to support the Bank in raising its profile and engaging strategically at international fora, as well as to foster cross-fertilization and greater coordination with other Multilateral Development Banks ; and, (iv) to lead the Bank in the development of a new culture of innovation and change, including the incubation of new financial/non-financial  products and business lines.

The Position
The key objectives of the position of the Lead Strategy Advisor will be:

• Provide support on the formulation of the Bank’s strategic policy objectives, and ensure their alignment with strategic planning and budgeting.
• Work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to promote innovation within the Bank.
• Advise on any new policy developments, and on the Bank’s response to emerging corporate issues.
• Assist and advise the Director in planning, organizing, coordinating and leading the activities of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Director, Strategy and Operational Policies, the Lead Strategy Advisor will perform the following duties:

• Provide guidance and quality control in the preparation and the review of the planning and strategy documents
• Identify emerging international issues, anticipate development finance trends, and provide advice on the Bank’s response to emerging international issues.
• Coordinate the provision of analytical and technical support to Senior Management in preparation and follow up to high-level global policy fora, conferences, including Heads of Multilateral Development Bank meetings, United Nations Summits, and represent the Bank in these events, as required.
• Coordinate the Bank’s participation in the work streams of the Multilateral Development Banks and Regional Development Banks, and (co)-represent the Bank in the working groups, including key strategy meetings.
• Collaborate driving an innovation agenda at the Bank by originating new products and processes; and incubate new corporate initiatives.
• Establish effective partnerships with internal, external customers and stakeholders, using a range of communication and facilitation skills towards new initiatives and business improvements.
• Coordinate the Bank’s relationships with other multilateral development Banks, international organizations, and bilateral agencies at institutional level and strategy matters.
• Provide analytical input and strategic advice for the Bank’s resource mobilization efforts (African Development Fund replenishments, African Development Bank general capital increases, and innovative financing options).
• Support the HR and performance management of the department, including recruitment, goal setting, learning, feedback, staff performance reviews, performance improvement plans, documentation and record keeping.
• Work closely with the Director and the Division Manager as a member of the departmental management team; represent the Director and Department at internal and external fora.

Selection Criteria
Including Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Hold at least a Master's degree or its equivalent in Economics, Macroeconomics or Development Economics, Finance, Strategic management, Engineering or related development fields and a broad knowledge of development issues gained through advanced study or work experience. A PhD is an added advantage.
• Have a minimum of eight (08) years of relevant experience in Multilateral Financial Institutions. Proven combination of hands-on operational experience with strong analytical skills;
• Good understanding of development economics and specificities of Regional Members Countries.
• Proven exposure to high-level policy development, negotiation, and debate fora.
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Authoritative understanding of principles and concepts of strategic planning, global development policy debates and major development issues.
• Excellent knowledge of the Bank or other similar intuitions’ strategy process and products.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, financial analysis report writing and reviews; demonstrated experience in impact and scenario analysis.
• Ability to provide technical leadership to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Capacity to develop and adapt policies, approaches and models to meet emerging system needs and to enhance the continuing accuracy, integrity and accountability of the Bank's financial resources.
• Ability to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate opinions and make conclusions and recommendations to resolve same.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization tailoring language, tone, style and format to match audience.
• Ability to think “out of the box” and drive institutional change.
• Innovation and creativity.
• Communication.
• Client Orientation.
• Problem solving.
• Team working and relationships.
• Operational effectiveness.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) and preferably SAP.