Chief Natural Resources Officer at African Development Bank - AfDB

Position Number: 50066219
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL3

The Complex

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

The Hiring Department / Division

• The external role of the African Natural Resources Centre is to support the Bank’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs) improve development outcomes through effective management of natural resources wealth by delivering practical solutions on policy, legislative and investment decisions in the sector.
• Internally, it brings cohesion to the Bank’s strategies in natural resources sectors by providing a single lens through which the institution tackles natural resources management.
• The Centre’s Policy Analysis Division provides a systemic, integrated lens on the management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources for sustainable development.
• This is achieved through high-quality research and policy analysis, policy advocacy and knowledge dissemination, and technical assistance and capacity building for the Bank’s RMCs in the following thematic areas: natural resource economics, natural resource planning, natural resource conservation, and natural resource governance.

The Position
The Chief Natural Resources Officer plays a central role in the delivery of the Centre’s analysis and policy advisory on integrated natural resource management for sustainable development. This will be done through:

• Playing a lead role in the Centre’s work on natural resource conservation, long-term resource planning and integrated development of renewable and non-renewable natural resources.
• Playing a lead role in the Centre’s work on climate change and the natural resource sectors, biodiversity and natural capital management for green growth and sustainable development.
• Advocacy and dissemination of knowledge and best practices on strategic natural resource policy areas for the Centre and the Bank, including integrated natural resource management,  environmental sustainability, biodiversity, natural capital, and green growth.

Key Functions
Under the supervision of the Division Manager, Policy Analysis, the Chief Natural Resources Officer is responsible for: 

• Playing a leadership role in the Centre’s knowledge and analytical work on natural resource conservation, long-term resource planning and integrated development of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. This will involve rigorous analysis of natural resource policy issues, and the production of high-quality reports and other advisory tools.
• Coordinating capacity building programmes and technical advisory services to assist RMCs on integrated natural resource management, and providing on-demand technical advice for RMCs on cross-cutting policy issues related to the natural resource sectors.
• Designing policy tools for investment decision-making in the natural resource sector, in support of integrated natural resources management, natural resource conservation and green growth.
• Leading policy dialogue and advocacy activities to build internal and external knowledge on integrated natural resource management for sustainable development.
• Providing technical advice to renewable and non-renewable resource experts in the Centre to ensure an integrated, holistic approach in the Centre’s interventions on natural resource management, and to ensure mainstreaming of global best practices on green growth, climate change and environmental sustainability.
• Providing technical inputs on integrated natural resource management for the implementation of the Bank’s green growth and climate change agenda.
• Overseeing the work of consultants engaged to advise RMCs on integrated natural resource development, natural capital and biodiversity conservation, and green growth.
• Supporting the Centre’s partnership and resource mobilisation efforts in the areas of natural resource planning and conservation, biodiversity and natural capital management; sustainable financing for natural resource projects and overall, integrated natural resource management;
• Collaborating with other departments in the ECVP Complex and other Bank Departments for research, policy analysis and advocacy on integrated natural resource management and green growth;
• Supporting the Centre’s role in the Bank’s operations, providing necessary inputs into natural resources-related projects, including contributing to the preparation of Country Diagnostic Notes, Country and Regional Strategy Papers, project appraisals, and relevant Economic and Sector Works (ESWs).
• Carrying out a range of administrative tasks, such as; assisting in the preparation and coordination of the Division and Centre’s work programmes; drafting statements, briefing notes, talking points and responses to questions by the press, on behalf of Senior Management;
• Contributing to major ECVP and Bank Group reports such as African Economic Outlook, Annual Report, as designated.
• Managing resources specific to own areas of responsibility.

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master’s Degree in Economics, International Development, Law or Public Policy. Specialisation in natural resource management is highly desirable. A relevant doctorate degree is an advantage.
• Have a minimum of (7) seven years relevant experience with a specific focus in any of the following areas: integrated natural resource management, natural resource conservation, biodiversity, natural capital and ecosystem services management, environmental management, climate change, green growth.
• Strong knowledge production skills; able to prepare high-quality publications and reports for a broad range of audiences. This should be demonstrated through a robust academic and policy publications track record.
• Strong analytical skills, particularly in the use of mixed-method (quantitative and qualitative) techniques, and experience in conducting empirical research in Africa.
• A track record in providing policy analysis and advice in the area of natural resource management; experience in the assessment and appraisal of natural resource projects (whether public or private) is an advantage.
• Proven ability to build and lead a team of motivated staff, and utilise the talents and expertise of team members in a productive way.
• Private sector experience is an advantage.
• Experience of working with the AfDB, or other multilateral development organisations is desirable.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Experience in the use of SAP is advantageous.