Job Vacancies at African Development Bank - AfDB

The Complex

• The Senior Vice-Presidency is responsible for supporting the President in the day-to-day management of the Bank Group to achieve its strategic objectives and drive a performance culture that will align all processes and systems to deliver high impact results.
• The Senior Vice-President provides effective coordination and leadership to ensure the implementation and monitoring of key corporate decisions as well as the identification of necessary corrective measures and actions.
• The Senior Vice-President leads senior management discussions, the decision-making process and the implementation of key decisions of the Board and Management.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Department for Development Impact and Results is at the centre of Bank’s efforts to improve operational and corporate performance, accelerate the pace of delivery and increase impact on development.
• As part of its mandate, it also works to strengthen the Bank’s external and internal accountability for quality and results and promotes a performance-driven culture across the organization.
• The Delivery Support and Implementation Division, SNDR2, is responsible for driving delivery and performance improvements in critical priority areas of the Bank.
• It oversees, leads and coordinates operational performance management activities, provides early warning on areas of weak performance, to facilitate quick decision making, and supports organizational Units in delivering the Bank’s mandate.

The Position

• Under the general supervision of the Director SNDR, the Division Manager SNDR2 coordinates performance management activities and ensures sustained focus on the delivery of key priority areas of the Bank.
• The incumbent leads the design and presentation of business intelligence reports on institutional performance and delivery, with the aim to sustain pressure and establish routines on Delivery, inform the decision-making process, and highlight areas requiring attention and corrective measures.

Key Functions
Under the general supervision of the Director SNDR, the duties of the Division Manager SNDR2 will include, among others, the following:
Office Management:

• Coordinate the formulation and execution of the Division’s Work Programme and Budget
• Provide effective leadership and supervision of the delivery support team.

Corporate Performance Management and Delivery:

• Provide leadership and coordination of performance management activities to ensure sustained focus on the delivery of key priority areas of the Bank and reporting thereof.
• Advise the Director, the Senior Vice-President, and Senior Management on the Status of Delivery through periodic and ad-hoc Delivery Status updates to facilitate informed and timely decision-making.
• Lead and facilitate the setting, monitoring, and reporting of institutional commitments, delivery plans, Key Performance Indicators, targets, and trajectories to drive delivery efforts.
• Lead performance dialogues with Management on operational performance management issues supported by Business Intelligence reports and routine delivery tracking updates.
• Oversee in-depth reviews of critical business processes and delivery systems to identify and address areas   of duplication, inefficiency, and bureaucracy affecting organizational performance and effectiveness.

Organizational Effectiveness:

• Coordinate and facilitate Annual Operations Work Planning meetings and Mid-term reviews designed to enhance planning, delivery and accountability of annual and medium-term operational plans.  
• Lead Delivery labs to consult, brainstorm and address delivery bottlenecks and challenges.
• Champion and support the design and implementation of integrated Management Information systems and foster stewardship of corporate data to ensure consistency, timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of performance data.
• Champion and support an enabling accountability and performance management culture across the Bank.

Competencies (Skills, Experience, and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master's Degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Economics or other relevant fields.
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience (of which three (3) must have involved managing and/ or supervising teams) in performance management, delivery support, and reporting with a solid understanding of both corporate and operational performance issues.
• Experience in Business process reengineering and knowledge in development and use of Corporate Scorecards and Dashboards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with an established track record in achieving results.
• Strong leadership qualities, and excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills to build consensus between competing interests and priorities.
• Organizes and monitors work distribution with efficiency in order to facilitate the workflow and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Proven experience in coordination activities with demonstrated ability to work across institutional boundaries with various teams, build and lead a team of professional staff, and utilize the talent and expertise of team members in a productive way.
• Excellent team player and leader to ensure positive working relations across the Bank.
• Ability to work effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is a plus.

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The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency, Technology and Corporate Services (TCVP), serves as the cornerstone for the Bank's technological and corporate service initiatives. Dedicated to efficiency and client satisfaction, TCVP is tasked with the design, development, and delivery of superior information technology solutions and corporate services.
• Its responsibilities range from the strategic development and implementation of the Bank’s IT systems, cybersecurity, and business continuity plans to the management of real estate assets, procurement, corporate travel, and language services.
• Through its leadership, TCVP ensures these critical functions are executed in alignment with the Bank's mission, enhancing overall institutional effectiveness.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Language Services Department is responsible for ensuring quality translation of major Bank documents primarily into English and French, but also into Arabic and Portuguese, as well as other languages as required, providing high standard interpretation in English and French or Arabic and Portuguese, editing documents meant for publication and ensuring quality, analysing and evaluating strategic choices and making relevant recommendations on the use of English and French within the Bank Group, reviewing, updating and implementing practical guidelines and procedures for the efficient delivery of language services, assisting partner organizations eliciting the Bank’s assistance in establishing, restructuring or improving their language services, and promoting bilingualism to enhance communication among staff and with the Bank’s clients and partners.
• Within the Language Services Department, the mandate of the French and English Translation Division is to provide high-level translation services by ensuring quality translation of all Bank documents primarily into and from the Bank’s working languages (French from English), and occasionally Arabic and Portuguese, as well as editing key documents such as the Bank Group's Annual Report in English and French.

The Position

• Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, Translation Division (TCLS1), the Chief Editor will support the delivery of clear, concise and better focused documents produced by the Bank staff and collaborators.
• The Chief Editor also steers knowledge management by supporting the alignment of documents to policy, institutional, strategic and international standards.
• He/she will provide supervisory oversight of the editing process and support the development of harmonised norms across the institution for all users, through providing institutional guidelines and standards and supporting on going awareness of editing norms.

Key Functions

• Reporting directly to the Division Manager, Translation Division, the Chief Editor provides high quality editing services for policy, technical, social, legal and financial documents that reflect institutional and international standards and serves as the institutional reference point for editing.
• The incumbent collaborates with consultants, affiliate and partner institutions.
• As a key member of the Language Services Department, the Chief Editor oversees all editing activities in the Bank, provides advisory services and contributes to strategic thinking on editing for the Bank.

Editing Activities:

• Provide high level editing services to the Bank, by working on flagship reports and other critical documents.
• Lead the editing process Bank-wide, ensuring the quality of editing commensurate with the Institution’s Style Guide and overseeing the edition of flagship Bank documents to the highest quality.
• Oversee collaboration with inhouse authors and external consultants to ensure that they meet specific aspects of editorial policy and practice in preparing Bank documents.
• Ensure the alignment of editing in the Bank to ISO Standard 9001:2015 on Quality Management System.
• Supervise all editing work, including work done by consultant editors, providing guidance in evolving institutional editing standards.
• Championing editing best practice in the Bank.

Advisory Services:

• Provide high-level advisory services to Bank clients.
• Engage actively with clients across the Bank to plan and deliver work on Bank publications, especially flagship reports.
• Coordinate the editing of the Bank’s Annual Report, the African Economic Outlook, and similar documents.
• Proactively seeks ways of reducing editing costs for the Bank, particularly through optimal use of cutting-edge editing tools.

Strategic Thinking and Knowledge:

• Lead strategic thinking in editing to review and improve the editing function in the Bank.
• Participate in various working groups set up by the Bank to focus on specific issues pertaining to the Department or broader issues of interest to the Bank.
• Foster strategic partnerships with sister institutions on editing issues.
• Monitor global developments on editing standards and processes, with a view to continually improving editing products.
• Build the capacity of inhouse editors and consultants to deliver quality documents for the Bank.
• Ensure knowledge management, inclusion and diversity, policy coherence and strategic orientation across Bank documents.

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• At least a Master's Degree in English, Translation, Modern Languages, Journalism or related field.
• At least seven (7) years or more experience in editing, of which at least four (4) years editing major documents in an international organization.
• Relevant experience working in the banking and finance sector, international development or similar organizations.
• Evidence of certification following editing or publishing training.
• Practical knowledge of online editing tools and resources. Ability to use standard editing tools and software.
• Ability to lead teams and deliver under pressure.
• Awareness of digital tools.
• Evidence of certified training in international editing standards.
• Strong awareness of corporate policies, procedures and institutional orientation and practices, and their relation to editing.
• Broad general knowledge and ability to quickly adapt to a multicultural and complex environment.
• Capacity to quickly fit into multilingual teams and maintain harmonious working relations.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively and deliver under pressure and stress.
• Ability to work collaboratively with authors and others.
• Ability to provide authors and others providing documents for editing with clear guidelines of editorial policy and standards and support them in preparing their documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
• Knowledge of the Bank’s standard software: Excel, Word, Power Point, MS Project, Access, etc.

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The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization is central to the Bank’s mission of developing the private sector, improving infrastructure, and accelerating industrialization.
• The complex main functions are to (i) strengthen the enabling environment for private sector [and financial sector] development, conducive to inclusive growth and sustainable development, (ii) support the development of reliable and sustainable infrastructure, including cities and urban development, (iii) place renewed emphasis on industrial and trade value chain performance in support of structural transformation across Africa (iv) and support the development of youth- and women-owned small and medium-size enterprises.
• The Complex leverages knowledge, co-financing, and partnerships to attract private capital and work with governments to implement the Bank’s development agenda.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The Private Sector Development Department (PISD), in collaboration with other Departments in the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization Complex and with departments in other complexes contributes to the implementation of the Bank Group’s Private Sector Development Strategy (PSDS).
• The PISD department is specifically tasked with coordinating the work of the Vice Presidency, with the support of all Sector Vice Presidents and Non-Sovereign Operation (NSO) Origination Directors, in leading the Bank's efforts for rapid, systematic, and strategic engagement with the private sector, particularly with strategic clients, to drive investment and economic growth in Africa.
• It also supervises the Regional NSO Leads and NSO Industry Specialists, oversees the new SME division, while ensuring compliance with relevant Bank policies and initiatives.

The SME Business Deveelopment Division (PISD1)

• The SME Business Development Division’s role is to coordinate and implement the SMEs development agenda across the Bank.
• The overall ambition of the division is to develop a set of activities that are complementary to the Bank’s regular operations and programs targeting SMEs.
• Its medium to long-term goal is to develop a set of advisory services that will improve the capacities of SMEs and those of the intermediaries supporting their development including financial intermediaries.
• The Division will play a leadership role in coordinating, communicating, and creating synergies in the Bank’s activities supporting SMEs.

The Position
Under the direction and supervision of the PISD Director, the Manager of the SME Business Development Division will oversee and manage a team of professional SME specialists that will coordinate with other Bank’s units to scale up the Bank’s support to SMEs in Africa. The division will:

• Provide strategic orientation for the Bank’s SME support outlined in an action plan.
• Undertake the development and implementation of SME support programs.
• Facilitate collaboration and synergies across SME support activities in the Bank.
• Support the design and implementation of SME projects undertaken by other units of the Bank.
• Support NSO teams to increase the reach and impact of their projects on SMEs.
• Lead the monitoring and reporting of the Bank’s SME activities.
• Lead fundraising efforts to support SME activities.
• Support the design of tailored SME instruments.
• Develop internal capacities to deliver directly know how to SMEs through advisory services – at scale - through the creation of a country by country based local consultancy network that is managed, trained, and certified to work directly with SMEs under different AfDB SME programs and through the development of a database of experts with the appropriate skills to mobilize these into more technical and managerial aspects of SME needs.
• Develop a set of digital learning products that meet the needs of partner financial institutions to reach many SMEs and designed to accompany other Bank divisions’ efforts to provide SME credit lines to the financial sector.
• Build a competence to develop and design new SME products that capitalize on the resources available from the PISD1 with the aim of complementing and adding value to the Bank’s overall SME offering along with building a donor network that is supportive of these activities.

Key Functions of the Position
Under the direction and supervision of the PISD Director, the manager of the SME Business Development Division will supervise and manage the quality of the following functions:

Technical Leadership and Implementation Oversight of AfDB SMEs Development Agenda:

• Design and develop an effective Quality Assurance system to manage the deployment of services and resources targeted to SMEs to ensure a clear approval process and project management process.
• Oversee the overall management and implementation of both existing and pipeline programs that are part of PISD1 mandate and, in the medium term, providing other units of the Bank with functional expertise for the design, implementation, and supervision of SME Development programs; after building division capabilities.
• Design and develop new Programs that expand the reach of PISD1 into the SME space.
• Play an active part in contributing to the work of other departments to ensure a constant flow of donor funds.
• Play an active part in collaborating with transaction teams (esp. NSO leads and sector experts and RMCs) to ensure that a strong line of communication and mutual support is being established to maximize impact of PISD1’s work.
• Facilitate synergies and collaboration between the Bank non-sovereign and sovereign operations to deliver effective SME support interventions in RMCs by liaising with thematic teams and country and regional program officers.
• Catalyze global, regional, and local partnerships to support local ecosystems through mentorship, coaching, knowledge sharing, business partnerships and alliances, information hubs and online networks.
• Provide technical leadership in supervising projects appraisal reports and relevant Board documents and coordinating the work products of the division with that of various complexes of the Bank.
• Build SME local consultancy networks and their capacities at a country level to fit sectoral and technical requirements from programs.
• Build international consultancy networks sourced globally to fit sectoral and technical requirements from programs.
• Develop strong thought leadership on SME matters in Africa, develop the influence of the Bank within the SME ecosystem with key stakeholder and shapers, and mobilize relevant key partnerships with other SME development leaders.
• Assist the PSD Strategy Team in the development of the SME strategy component.
• Contribute to Bank wide efforts in supporting SME policy reforms.
• Create an effective presence in the SME development ecosystem through membership and representation of key agencies, organizations, and initiatives relevant to the SME sector in Africa.
• Develop and manage a strong monitoring and evaluation system that allows for outcome and impact and effective deployment of services and programs to be tracked and analyzed.

Division Management and Team Leadership:

• Developing the Division strategic priorities, work program, and budget in consultation with the Director.
• Ensuring quality control of the Division and managing a team of professional level and support staff in providing efficient and high-quality services.
• Building expertise and capacities of staff and consultants to create a center of excellence in the SME space.
• Establishing financial management controls to ensure accountability on the flows of funds.
• Developing procurement approaches that allow for the scalable hiring of consultants to serve the programs in an efficient and timely manner.
• Build internal management systems to ensure that projects and programs are effectively and efficiently processed (design, approval, disbursement, contracting and closure)
• Ensuring that a system for reporting to donors is established and functions efficiently and effectively,
• Managing efficient use of human and financial resources and monitoring and enforcing efficiency targets.
• Ensuring effective communication between staff and PISD department management, effective communication with other departments and complexes, and effective communication externally with authorities of member countries as well as private sector stakeholders.
• Participating effectively in NSO coordination meetings and technical assistance trust funds meetings.
• Setting realistic performance goals and motivate team members to meet them, both for individual staff and for the team as whole.
• Monitoring and evaluating staff performance and recommending personnel actions to the Director.
• Ensuring staff capacity building, career development, and growth plans are developed and achieved.
• Resolving conflicts that may arise amongst staff.
• Serving as a role model, leading by example, building alignment and commitment, and promoting collaboration and facilitating teamwork.
• Collaborating effectively with the department management team, contributing, and sharing expertise, and fostering a collegial working environment.
• Maintaining high standards of professional integrity, treating individuals fairly and respectively, and being sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities, and gender.
• Carries out such other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Competencies (Skills, Experience, and Knowledge)

• Holding a Master's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, and/or International Development or related field.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, of which three (3) must have involved managing and/or supervising teams with extensive and in-depth experience in private sector development and a track record of managing large and diverse technical teams.
• Experience developing and implementing SMEs and entrepreneurship development programs (preferably in Africa with a development finance institution and in low-income countries and transitions contexts in Africa).
• Experience developing strategies and/or analytical work related to private sector development in Africa
• Experience working with various stakeholders including policy makers, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations is preferred.
• A track record of working and collaborating with multilateral development partners and designing and implementing joint SME and entrepreneurship development programs is preferred.
• In depth awareness of the latest trends in developments finance, MDBs Evolution Agenda, and SDGs.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing new initiatives, track record in supporting resource mobilization and co-financing initiatives, and a proven track record in building and maintaining successful partnerships.
• Proven ability to effectively plan, direct, organize, and administer diverse activities to ensure effective delivery of Division work program.
• Ability to identify and create meaningful linkages across sectors and programs to drive development impact at a country and regional levels.
• Knowledge and understanding of the elements essential for the effective delivery and measurement of development impacts through projects and programs (preferably in Africa).
• Highly developed strategic thinking skills allied with an ability to translate strategic concepts and directions into the implementation of workable and sustainable projects and programs.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, teamwork, and communications skills in a highly diverse environment with experience managing multi-disciplinary multi-cultural teams.
• Excellent people management skills demonstrated by track record of managing large and diverse technical teams coupled with openness to feedback and new ideas and an ability to guide staff to resolve problems.
• Ability to plan and manage staff to achieve high quality results and encouraging innovation in an open team-based environment, inspiring trust, and influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries.
• Experience in change management and proactively serving as a role model for transformation and adoption of change.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing effectively in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language.