Senior Governance Officer at African Development Bank - AfDB

The Complex

• The core mandate of the Vice Presidency (ECVP) is to lead the Bank Group on prioritizing the generation, analysis, dissemination, brokering and implementation of relevant knowledge solutions in all High-5 operational priorities and the crosscutting themes of its Ten-Year Strategy. Such solutions must be a clear response to priority development challenges facing regional member countries (RMCs), individually or collectively and need to involve RMCs in both the planning and implementation of the solutions.

The solutions include:

• Research on major development issues facing Africa and their relation to global economic governance and other major global public goods;
• Country diagnostics and future perspectives;
• Policy dialogue and advisory services;
• Economic, sector, and thematic knowledge work;
• Improving national and sub-regional statistical systems;
• Preparation, design and support to implementation of public financial management and Governance operations;
• Capacity development for policy formulation and implementation;
• Technical assistance and advice related to RMCs’ management of natural resources; and
• Knowledge dissemination and development of national, regional, and inter-regional knowledge networks.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Governance and Economic Reforms Department (ECGF) is in the complex of the Chief Economist / Vice Presidency for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management (ECVP), based at the Headquarters in Abidjan, and is responsible for coordination and operationalization of the Bank’s Governance policy, strategy and programs, including lending and non-lending work.
• ECGF works in collaboration with the other complex’s and departments of the Bank towards ensuring:
  • That the Bank’s substantive technical engagement with key policy and strategy processes in the area of governance and public financial management are properly coordinated; and
  • That the Bank’s interventions in Regional Member Countries, through program-based operations/ budget support and institutional strengthening projects promote effective and accountable governance and public financial management.
• The Department has two Divisions, ECGF.1 and ECGF.2. The Division ECGF.1 covers Governance operations in the Central, North and West Regions of Africa, while ECGF.2 Division covers Governance operations in the East and South Regions of Africa.

The Positions

• The Senior Governance Officers (PL5) will be responsible for the origination, processing, supervision and general portfolio management of governance sector operations. These operations include budget support/program based operations and institutional support projects as well as targeted diagnostic works with a focus on building effective institutions that promote equity, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
• He/She will also participate in conducting country level policy dialogue on key governance issues.
• He/She is expected to provide specialist advice and inputs to the Bank Group’s operational activities through review of technical design and institutional arrangements for governance projects/programmes proposed for Bank’s funding and assessing their feasibility from the perspective of present and future impact. 
• He/She will also contribute to building partnerships and strengthening initiatives in the area of governance.
• The work accomplished will contribute to realizing the Bank’s governance work programme as it relates to the implementation of the Bank’s High Fives priorities: Feed Africa; Light-up Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the lives of the people of Africa.

Key Functions

Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the Senior Governance Officers will:

Strategy and Planning:

• Contribute towards the development of country and sector level policy and strategies for economic governance issues in Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in consultation with relevant government agencies and country offices.
• Support policy dialogue with Government officials and development partners on governance policy and reforms. 
• Contribute to the preparation of policy statements, papers, briefs and various reports on economic governance issues.
• Contribute to the preparation of Regional Integration Strategy Papers, Country Strategy Papers and Country Policy and Institutional Assessments towards ensuring Governance and economic management issues are incorporated and adequately addressed.
• Represent the Bank in its engagement with development partners on the macroeconomic framework for the country.

Project Management:

• Provide support to Bank teams for the preparation and implementation of program-based operations and institutional support projects at the country and regional levels.
• Manage an active country portfolio of projects/programs, to ensure timely implementation according to agreed objectives.
• Involve all relevant stakeholders including RMCs' governments, other development partners and concerned parties (including civil societies) or other stakeholders in project cycle activities.
• Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects.

Sector Economic Work and Knowledge Sharing:

• Undertake reviews, analysis and reporting of economic management initiatives of Governments, ensuring that these are considered in the design and implementation of programs.
• Contribute towards the preparation of analytical and diagnostic work in Governance and public financial management systems.
• Contribute to strengthening of coordination with other development partners working in this field, and act as focal person for country level engagements in these areas.
• Contribute to activities of advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around sector issues, public financial management, tax policy, public expenditures.
• Represent the Bank in conferences, seminars and national workshops, participate in events, meetings and sector groups related to Governance work and provide regular reports to the Country Manager and Sector Manager.

Staff Supervision:

• Supervise consultants.

Requirements

• Hold at least a Master's Degree in Economics, Public Administration, Governance / Political Science, Law or related disciplines.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in governance, economic management, policy formulation, revenue management, public expenditure or related areas, Strong experience and proven track record in the design and delivery of operations (including investment projects and policy based operations), as well as project management.
• Experience implementing projects with public sector institutions and / or bilateral and multilateral development finance institutions.
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, team work and ability to work effectively across a diverse team, with colleagues often based in different geographical locations.
• In-depth understanding of governance and economic management issues.
• Familiarity with operational policies and programming practices of multilateral organisations.
• Demonstrated networking skills, and an ability to coordinate interests of diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to apply innovative approaches, work independently and apply new methods to solve problems, while remaining efficient in a fast-paced, changing and challenging institutional environment.
• Strong interrogative skills- Anticipate needs and requests and able to conduct independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and support strategic thinking on governance and economic management.
• Ability to collaborate within teams and across boundaries.
• Ability to succeed in multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize work, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language. Portuguese would be an added advantage.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications and Knowledge of SAP highly desirable.