Principal Board Affairs Officer and Committee Secretary at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Reference: ADB/20/068
Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Position N°: 50068481
Grade: PL4

The Complex

• The President, plans, supervises and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund.
• The President supervises several Departments and Units including the: Office of the President; Independent Development Evaluation Department; Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department; Compliance Review and Mediation Unit; Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board; Administrative Tribunal; Office of the Auditor General; Group Risk Management Directorate; General Counsel and Legal Services Department; Communication and External Relations Department; Staff Integrity and Ethics Office and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat.

The Hiring Department / Division

• The role of the Bank's Office of the Secretary General and the General Secretariat is to facilitate the delivery of the objectives of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy, High 5s, and Development and Business Delivery Model by enhancing the decision-making process of the governance organs and forging better working relationships with the shareholders and host countries of the Bank.
• The Secretary General and the General Secretariat is comprised of: (i) the Immediate Office of the Secretary General which has the additional responsibility of managing the Records Management and Archives Section and the Corporate Governance Policy and Shareholder Relations Section; (ii) a Board Affairs and Proceedings Division; (iii) a Protocol, Privileges and Immunities Division; and (iv) a Conferences and Meetings Division.

The Position

• This position’s overall objective is to provide secretariat services to the Boards of Governors, the Boards of Directors and the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE), including drafting, revising and translating meeting reports while ensuring the proper conduct of meetings of the Boards of Directors, the Boards of Governors and their subsidiary organs.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the Principal Board Affairs Officer and Committee Secretary assures the following duties:

• Contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Boards of Directors and Boards of Governors and the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) by enhancing the decision-making process;
• Assist the Chairperson of the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) to prepare and conduct Committee meetings and advise on any relevant matters;
• Prepare background papers, analyses and recommendations to be used by the Committee Chairperson and members;
• Coordinate the activities of the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) and manage the relationship between Senior Management and members;
• Cover Committee meetings, analyse and determine the thrust of discussions/deliberations and then synthesize, and prepare a succinct summary of the main decisions and conclusions reached;
• Contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) through research and submission of documents on issues under consideration;
• Populate the Board Dashboard and follow up on Committee recommendations;
• Ensure the coverage of relevant Boards of Governors meetings; analyse and determine the thrust of discussions/deliberations and then synthesize and draft the main decisions and conclusions reached;
• Translate the syntheses and reports drafted in the department; and
• Carry out any other assignment required by service exigency.

Selection Criteria

• Hold at least a Master's degree or its equivalent in Communication, Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Development Finance, Social Science and other related disciplines;
• Have a minimum of six years (6) years of relevant professional experience in similar organizations;
• Be proficient in English and French both written and oral; and have strong and proven translation skills.
• Have sound institutional, policies and operations knowledge.
• Private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Have excellent analytical and drafting skills and be good at summarizing and synthesizing.
• Be able to identify and meet clients' needs within the framework of established rules while processing reports and identify appropriate solutions and alternatives, when necessary.
• Be able to work efficiently under pressure and be willing to work long hours to meet tight deadlines.
• Be able to multi task, and demonstrate effective problem solving skills and attention to detail.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Show proof of discretion, tactfulness and flexibility in dealing with clients such as the Boards of Governors, Boards of Directors, Ambassadors and Senior Management.
• Proficient in the use of standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), practical knowledge of SAP systems will be an advantage.