Job Vacancies at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Position Number: 50093735
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL4

The Complex

• The Economic Governance and Knowledge Management (ECVP Complex) core objective is to give greater visibility and prominence to knowledge, its dissemination and management. This is done through the:
  • Generation of access to operationally relevant, multi-sector research on African development issues;
  • The narrowing of the data statistics gap in Africa by improving the availability, quality and coverage of statistics, for policy formulation, implementation, evaluation and effective monitoring of progress and contributing to the development of cooperation statistics in Africa.
• ECVP is also the focal point for capacity development and provision of training with a clear focus on those areas most relevant to ensuring economic growth and efficient implementation of Bank-financed projects and enhancing their impact.

The Hiring Department

• The Statistics Department’s primary role is to avail quality statistics needed to support the operational and policy work of the Bank Group as well as its development research activities, to contribute to the development of statistical systems in Regional Member Countries & Regional Economic Communities.
• With the objective of informing evidence-based decision-making in AfDB operations, the Department’s activities focus on meeting the data needs for the Bank’s High 5s agenda, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and African Union’s Agenda 2063.
• The Department pays close attention to the contexts of each RMC, in order to provide targeted and customized support for statistical capacity building.
• With the abrupt outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, those contexts are being distorted and destabilized to their social and economic core.  
• Such unprecedented upheavals are shaping a new normal, a new reality with new structures and dynamics which policymakers, economists, researchers and public at large are eager to understand through the lenses of real-time and accurate data.
• Only through data-informed understanding will they be able to effectively prepare for any future pandemic threat while mitigating the effects of past shocks.
• In Africa, the Statistics Department will play a leadership role in developing and managing the relevant data frameworks as effective responses to data urgency.
• The management of the above data sets is done through the Bank’s Africa Information Highway (AIH), a cutting-edge platform designed to manage all data assets collected and harmonized under the framework of One Bank Data System (1BDS).

The Position
The Principal Statistician will be the technical lead in ensuring timely and quality statistical production through:

• Leading to the vast range of socio-economic data generation and analysis including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and indicators on the Bank’s High 5s.
• Contribution to improving technical capacities of National Statistical Systems for data quality and dissemination through promoting innovative data solutions.
• Contribution to the enhancement and maintenance of the Bank's socio-economic statistics database.
• Contribution and providing of advice on data management and dissemination under the Africa Information Highway (AIH) platform,
• Developing and maintaining technical cooperation with global, regional and national partners on issues of data production, harmonization and disseminations.
• Promoting the utilization by users in the Bank and in regional member countries of the Open Data Portal (ODP) that also incorporates a data submission tool that facilitates data exchange via the application of Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standards

Key Responsibilities
Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager Economic and Social Statistics, the Principal statistician will:

• Provide statistical and analytical support the Bank and member countries to meet the operational and research needs by availing comparative socio-economic data and projections of the most widely used socio-economic parameters relating to Africa’s economy and Bank Group operations.
• Lead and develop initiatives to enhance the production of socio-economic statistics and analyses in support of the activities and ensure accuracy and consistency in the use of statistical data throughout the Bank; and provide guidance on statistical analysis and interpretation.
• Develop and maintain a knowledge base on socio-economic and cross-sectoral statistics relating to the concepts, methods, classifications, best practices in such areas as demography, employment, health, education, poverty and living conditions, housing, environment, gender, governance, infrastructures, etc.
• Define and recommend appropriate statistical methods to be used to improve socio-economic data production in Regional Member Countries and contribute to the bank’s statistics and publications in the area.
• Review and advice on concepts, methods, classifications, best practices in socio-economic statistics domains including demography, employment, health, education, poverty and living conditions, environment, gender, governance, infrastructures and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Lead the preparation of statistical publications for dissemination within the Bank and to officials and institutions in member countries; and review data used in Bank reports for consistency, accuracy and reliability.
• Provide technical assistance to RMCs in the areas of SDGs tracking and monitoring and improving data sources for socio-economic statistics including surveys and administrative data.
• Contribute to the technical assistance to Regional Member Countries (RMC) in order to ensure production of statistical indicators in compliance with international statistical standards and norms; improve capacities of statistical training centres to meet the needs of National Statistics Systems.
• Initiate, build and maintain partnerships and technical cooperation with regional and international institutions which includes developing and implementing regional joint programmes; organizing and participating in meetings, conferences and interregional dialogues and networks
• Promote the use of the African Information Highway (AIH) in the Bank, regional member countries and regional economic communities (RECs) and assist in providing trainings on innovations in data collection and dissemination.
• Support the implementation of the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA), the African Charter on Statistics and other regional statistical strategies and principles, as well as agreed upon quality assurance standards across Africa.
• Contribute to the enhancement and maintenance of the Bank’s statistical databases, including access, interface and utilization.
• Participate in activities within the Bank & in Regional Member Countries for streamlining data management & dissemination through the Africa Information Highway initiative to inform policies, strategies & decision making.
• Represent the Department/Division in country teams and interdepartmental working groups within the Bank; review operations documents, provide statistical inputs to Bank group’s Annual Report and other reports.
• Represent the Bank at international and regional platforms, technical working groups and meetings pertaining to statistics as will be directed by ECST management and provide guidance on statistical issues and applications.

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master's Degree in Statistics or Economics or related quantitative areas
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in statistical production, with sound experience in analysis of socio-economic statistics and statistical strategies. Additional experience in statistical coordination would be an advantage.
• Solid experience in statistical operations and data management.
• Proven work experience in socio-economic statistical domains.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities coupled with the ability to manage innovation and change.
• Familiarity with AfDB’s Africa Information Highway (AIH) and Country Open Data Platforms (ODPs)
• A good knowledge of SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange) artefacts
• Client and results orientation with “a can-do attitude”;
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues.
• Ability to develop and implement statistical methods and procedures.
• Excellent teamwork skills and ability to interact effectively with staff members at all level.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision as well as part of a multicultural team.
• Ability to be flexible, open-minded with integrity.
• Strong managerial skills, including interpersonal communication, problem solving, client orientation, Team working and relations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• A good Knowledge of database Management System
• Competence with standard MS Office software, knowledge of a statistical packages and data science tools (e.g.: national accounts package; SAS; SPSS, STATA,R).

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Position Number: 50000411
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: GS3/GS4

The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency, Human Resources and Corporate Services Complex ensures the delivery of efficient, people-centered, client-oriented, corporate services to ensure overall institutional effectiveness in all aspects of the Bank’s corporate services.
• The Complex leads efforts to ensure the competitiveness of the Bank as the employer of choice and is responsible for providing leadership in the formulation and implementation of Bank’s strategies on people, IT, general services and institutional procurements, language services, business continuity, and health and safety strategies

The Hiring Department / Divison

• The primary roles of the General Services and Procurement Department are to manage the Bank’s assets, oversee all corporate procurement of goods, services, works and real estate, coordinate all staff travel and transport of Bank’s goods and staff, catering services and other logistics arrangements and the mail services and keep staff informed about services offered.
• To this end, the General Services and Procurement Department formulates and applies rules for procurement, storage, and maintenance of furniture, office equipment and supply; design, prepare and implement programmes for the construction or acquisition and maintenance of buildings and premises; formulate and ensure the proper and effective application of administration policies within the Bank in such areas as communications, transport, travels, security, protection and safety of the Bank’s staff and property; and perform related duties.
• The department is responsible for managing the Bank’s fixed assets (valued at over UA 100,000,000). The General Services and Procurement Department comprises 3 divisions supervised by the Director General Services and Procurement. These divisions are:
  • Operations and Maintenance Division (CHGS.1)
  • Corporate Procurement Division (CHGS.2); and
  • Support Services Division (CHGS.3).
• The Division is responsible for the management of travel and logistics, restaurant and hotel services.

The Position

• The Driver provides reliable and safe driving services and performs office messenger duties.

Key Functions
Under the overall supervision of the Division Manager and the day-to-day supervision of the Principal Logistics Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Support the Operations with focus to the Office staff, visiting missions and official delegation of the Office on official duties, within Abidjan as and when required;
• Transport the Division Manager or as otherwise assigned in the conduct of the Bank’s operations;
• Ensure routine maintenance for the vehicles of the Office;
• Perform office messenger duties;
• Represent the Bank in a professional manner with respect to appearance and conduct at all times;
• Ensure the cleaning of the vehicles, keep records of official travel, daily mileage, fuel consumption, oil changes, lubrication etc.;
• Ensure that the formalities provided for in the regulations are met in the event of an accident;
• Perform any other duties reasonably requested by the Division Manager and management.

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a High School Diploma;
• Hold a valid driver’s license with a clean track record;
• Possess any additional documentation and/or certification to carry out the job;
• Have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience as a driver in an international/multinational organization, or public or private sector organization;
• Experience and skills in minor vehicle repairs, and routine maintenance for the vehicles;
• Working knowledge of the rules and regulations involved in the safe and efficient operation of automotive equipment;
• Demonstrated initiative; be discreet, honest and have good character;
• Excellent team work and interpersonal skills;
• Good written and verbal communication skills in French or English. Working knowledge of other language will be an added advantage;
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft software e.g. Microsoft Word and use of internet.

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Position Number: 50092380
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: EL5/EL4

The Complex

• The Senior Vice-Presidency (SNVP) is responsible for supporting the President in the day-to-day management of the Bank Group to achieve its strategic objective and drive performance culture that will align all processes and systems to deliver high impact results.
• The SNVP provides 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, decision-making processes and the implementation of key Board and Management decisions.

The Hiring Department

• The Strategy and Operational Policies Department (SNSP) plays a key role in shaping a corporate vision and a strategic perspective for the African Development Bank (AfDB) as well as developing the operational policies aimed at guiding the Bank’s agenda.  
• It provides rapid response on a wide range of policy issues, identifies new challenges, and anticipates change requirements.
• The department provides a focal point for the identification and strategic analysis of global challenges, of the implications for Africa and the Bank and supports senior management in their engagement with the international community.  
• It leads 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.  
• In this regard, the department works across the institution helping to ensure strategic focus and policy compliance in decision-making, and the improved alignment of resources with strategic priorities.

The Position

• The Director, Strategy and Operational Policies provides strategic leadership in the alignment of Bank strategies to its overall mission and business priorities.  
• The position advises the President and Senior Management on long-term strategy and policy of the Bank and assist with the communication of Bank corporate strategies and policies to all stakeholders.  
• It also advises and supports the President and senior management in their engagement with the international community on the position of the Bank to the G8 and G20, and on relations with the other MDBs.  
• It requires a high level of engagement and knowledge of African developmental needs, and a deep understanding of the diverse stakeholders needs pertinent to the Bank’s development agenda.
• The position reports to the Senior Vice President, who in turn reports to the President.

Key Functions
Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Vice-President, the Director Corporate Strategy and Operational Policies will undertake the following:

• Contribute fully to the development and review of the Bank’s overall strategy and direction, the effective functioning of its governance systems, and the promotion of strong partnerships within and outside the Bank
• Contribute to the development and review of the Bank business plans to ensure that they are consistent with the Bank’s strategic direction;
• Ensure regular update and dissemination of the Bank Group’s Operational Manual and lead on corporate policy development and review;
• Liaise with other departments of the Bank and contribute as required to policy development and advice on the consistency of annual and multi-year planning with long-term Bank objectives;
• Advise senior management on issues and developments in Regional and Non-Regional member countries which impact on the Bank and its performance;
• Assume joint responsibility with other Directors for corporate performance and the achievement of the Bank’s strategic objectives;
• Provide analytical policy advice support to the President on long-term strategic initiatives;
• Advise senior management on strategic partnerships and discussions with key bilateral and multilateral partners including the conduct of African Development Fund (ADF) replenishments; ADB General Capital Increases (GCI), innovative financing options and on institutional reforms;
• Oversee and lead presentations to Board committees and/or the Board of policies/strategies for review or approval;
• Identify emerging international issues including G8 and G20 development priorities and or those pertinent for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and assess their potential implications on the Bank’s policies, strategies and development assistance, and accordingly provide advice on the Bank’s response to these issues.
• Coordinate the Bank’s relationships with other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), international organizations, and bilateral agencies at institutional level and on strategic matters;
• Provide overall leadership in the assessment of countries eligibility to the African Development Bank window.
• Develop and oversee the annual work program for the department in consideration of the Bank-wide strategic priorities, agreed results and the Bank’s fiduciary guidelines;
• Lead planning, organizing, monitoring and usage of human and financial resources of the department;
• Oversee the overall human resource management issues for the department related but not limited to staff planning, recruitment and performance management within the Bank’s annual cycles and policies and guidelines.
• Work closely with the Bank’s senior management as a member of the Senior Management Coordination Committee (SMCC) and represent the Department on relevant committees or work streams as requested by Senior Management.
• Foster teamwork and an environment that stimulates and rewards innovation, creativity and accountability for results, and motivate staff to contribute to delivering significant developmental impacts.

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Minimum a Master's Degree in Development Economics, Macroeconomics or Economic Policy Management, Public Finance, Strategic Management Engineering or relevant development field;
• A minimum of ten (10) years of extensive and progressive experience in public policy, economic or government policy, financial management, and a strong experience in the design and delivery of operations (including investment projects and policy based operations).
• Extensive experience in project management preferably in a multilateral development finance institution, at least eight (8) years of which should be focused on developing countries, preferably in Africa and at a managerial level;
• Sound understanding of strategy formulation and development, macro-economic issues, fiscal policy and public budgeting issues in developing countries and demonstrable experience of the operational policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral or multilateral development institutions;
• Solid knowledge and a good grasp of political economics as well as socio-economic, development issues, challenges and opportunities in Africa. Demonstrated motivation and commitment to the development of the African continent;
• 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;
• A strategic mindset and the capacity to steer the Bank’s agenda while empowering staff during a phase of institutional transition towards greater country focus of the Bank’s activities;
• Possess the necessary team skills required to lead complex programs; strong capacity to analyze actions from the perspectives of stakeholders and translate strategic thinking into a compelling plan of action;
• Demonstrated ability to take prudent business risks and make effective, timely and well-determined decisions;
• Demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas; a good listener; with cultural sensitivity, commitment to diversity and capacity to initiate and manage innovations or change;
• Strong communication skills and the ability to develop partnerships with a broad range of clients, as well as to deliver results that meet the needs and long-term interests of clients within and outside the Institution. Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating very strong outreach skills and experience in both regional and non-regional member countries;
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as team leader and team member;
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues;
• Demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, and highest ethical standards;
• Excellent written and verbal communications in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language;
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Ability to provide strategic advice to the Bank on emerging financial and development issues, as well as corporate issues.

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Position Number: 50076320
Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Position Grade: PL4

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 provides 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 Department for Delivery, Performance Management 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.
• The Corporate Performance and Accountability Division is responsible for establishing and maintaining corporate frameworks for assessing and tracking the Bank’s development effectiveness and performance.
• As part of its mandate, it also works to strengthen the Bank’s external and internal accountability for results and promotes a performance-driven culture across the organisation.

The Position

• The Principal Results Specialist will lead the preparation, coordination and management of the Bank Group’s country development effectiveness reviews, as well as advising on monitoring and evaluation practices.
• The incumbent will contribute to designing new methodologies that improve the quality of results reporting at country and sector levels through a suite of tools.
• The incumbent plays a key role in implementing the Results Measurement Framework to improve managing for development results and corporate performance within the Bank at sector, country and regional level.
• The incumbent provides technical support and builds capacity on issues related to results measurement and reporting to operations and regional teams, including advice on the preparation of results measurement frameworks for sector strategies.
• The incumbent works under the supervision and report to the Manager, Corporate Performance and Accountability

Key Functions
Under the supervision of the Manager – Corporate Performance and Accountability Division, the Principal Results Specialist will perform the following duties:

• Lead the planning, organization and supervision of the country Development Effectiveness reviews;
• Enhance the understanding of results reporting good practices amongst regional/country teams, including through contributing to capacity building.
• Contribute to designing new methodologies that improve the quality of results reporting at country and sector levels through a suite of tools;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the Bank Group’s Results Measurement Framework;
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on the Bank’s performance against the indicators and targets included in the Results Measurement Framework (RMF) that will feed into the Bank’s country development effectiveness reviews;
• Contribute to cascading down the RMF as part of reporting mechanisms across the levels of Bank’s functions;
• Provide advice to strategy task teams regarding results measurement in the development of new sector and corporate strategies, where necessary;
• Establishing and maintain strong working relationships with other Bank departments and building professional networks with international development organisations including multilateral development banks;

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master's Degree preferably in Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, Political Sciences or related field;
• Have a minimum of six (06) years of relevant professional experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation, or more broadly results measurement, preferably within the context of international development.

Technical competencies:

• Monitoring and evaluation experience, preferably including development of results frameworks at sector, corporate level, with hands on monitoring and reporting results.
• Results based management and results measurement experience applied in development context.
• In depth understanding of theory of change, logical frameworks, and results-based management for both sovereign and non-sovereign operations in multilateral development banks (desirable).
• Experience in conducting, and effectively communicating robust analytical work. (desirable).
• Proven problem-solving approach to data availability and data quality challenges found in some developing countries (desirable).
• IT skills and familiarity with database management tools.
• Having private sector experience is advantageous.

Behaviour competencies:

• Innovation & Creativity
• Communication
• Client Orientation
• Problem Solving
• Team working and relationships
• Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to manage statistical assistants, junior staff and consultants
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in French or English with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).