New Positions at The African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

The primary role of the Financial Sector Development Department (OFSD) is to help the regional member countries (RMCs) increase reach (e.g. financial inclusion), depth (e.g. financial intermediation), and breadth of financial systems (e.g. capital market, cross-border development). The mission of the Department has four long-term objectives: (i) development of a vibrant private sector through an inclusive access by households and enterprises to financial services; (ii) strengthening markets participants; (iii) developing efficient capital markets, and (iv) deepening regional financial integration.

The Financial Institutions Division (OFSD1) of OFSD focuses on supporting FIs to on-lend to infrastructure, agribusiness, women businesses, SMEs, etc. In particular the Division: (1) engages in intermediation through FIs (primarily commercial Banks as well as credit unions, savings banks, post offices, etc.); (2) Conducts rigorous evaluations of FIs to extends support to enhance FIs on-lending to SMEs; (3) Engages in dialogue with apex bodies and initiatives to promote access to finance; (4) Supports equity investments in the FSD ecosystem, and incubates work on remittances, collateral registries, credit bureaus, etc.

The Chief Investment Officer will work under the guidance and supervision of the Division Manager.
Her/His duties and responsibilities will include:

• Guiding more junior staff in their work and act as Officer Staff in absence of the Division Manager
• Designing specific innovative transactions, projects and initiatives that will contribute to improved access to finance, market functioning and inclusive growth 
• Leading the preliminary evaluation of both lending and non-lending projects, including screening of project applications, desk reviews and evaluation of feasibility studies, preparing preliminary evaluation notes and more detailed project concept notes to obtain concept clearance for full appraisal or fact-finding missions;
• Leading the planning and execution of appraisal and fact-finding missions. This includes developing terms of reference for the mission and for short-term consultants to be engaged for the mission, coordinating the work of the mission team which usually includes professional staff from other departments within the Bank, and carrying out independent research. The work also includes assessing the risks of projects and advising on appropriate structure or conducting preliminary negotiations with sponsors;
• Leading the preparation of project appraisal reports for presentation to the Department, the various review committees and finally to the Board of Directors. Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions;
• Ensuring that all conditions precedent have been fulfilled on a timely basis and all fees are billed and collected from clients;
• Developing relationships within the Bank and with other institutions involved in financial markets and financial institutions; represent the Bank at and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences dealing with access to finance, financial markets, (M)SMEs;
• Playing an active role in coaching and mentoring more junior investment officers;
• Lead and or prepare technical assistance proposals with the aim to build capacity of financial institutions or other market players involved in enhancing the market supply and demand for credit. Ensure the approval, disbursement and implementation of such TA projects are done successfully.
• Coordinating closely with social, environmental and technical assistance colleagues in order to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact;
• Assist in integrity due diligence for potential clients;
• Maintaining knowledge of African financial markets/transaction structuring and provide market intelligence;
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners to deepen the financial sector and to develop specific investment opportunities.

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

At least a Master’s or its equivalent in Development Economics, or any other discipline that is relevant to the  operations of the Bank; strong knowledge of socio-economic development issues and policies of African countries.
Preferably a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience;

• Demonstrated good knowledge of RMCs or developing economies, the capacity of conceptual and strategic analysis, and good command of undertaking comprehensive due diligence including financial analysis of financial institutions, including banks, non-bank financial institutions and private equity funds;
• Demonstrated good knowledge of applying a variety of financial intermediation instruments such as debt, equity, guarantees, and other complex financial deal structuring;
• Ability to identify possible shortcomings of client (financial) institutions and to propose solutions, formulated through detailed technical assistance proposals;
• Capacity to conduct independent research and analyses, identify problems, propose solutions, and make recommendations to Management.
• Capacity to present and defend the consistency of proposed programs and projects. Capacity to work within specified time limits;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners, and government officials, and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds;
• Excellent communication and organizational skills to support and guide more junior staff and to manage the division in absence of the substantive manager. 

go to method of application »

The primary role of the Financial Sector Development Department (OFSD) is to help the regional member countries (RMCs) increase reach (e.g. financial inclusion), depth (e.g. financial intermediation), and breadth of financial systems (e.g. capital market, cross-border development). The mission of the Department has four long-term objectives: (i) development of a vibrant private sector through an inclusive access by households and enterprises to financial services; (ii) strengthening markets participants; (iii) developing efficient capital markets, and (iv) deepening regional financial integration.

The Financial Institutions Division (OFSD1) of OFSD focuses on supporting FIs to on-lend to infrastructure, agribusiness, women businesses, SMEs, etc. In particular the Division: (1) engages in intermediation through FIs (primarily commercial Banks as well as credit unions, savings banks, post offices, etc.); (2) Conducts rigorous evaluations of FIs to extends support to enhance FIs on-lending to SMEs; (3) Engages in dialogue with apex bodies and initiatives to promote access to finance; (4) Supports equity investments in the FSD ecosystem, and incubates work on remittances, collateral registries, credit bureaus, etc.

Under the general supervision of Manager OFSD.1 the Principal Investment Officer will perform the following duties and responsibilities.
Her/His duties and responsibilities will include:

• Participating in or leading the preliminary evaluation of both lending and non-lending projects. This involves the initial screening of project applications, carrying out of desk reviews and evaluation of feasibility studies, preparing preliminary evaluation notes for presentation to the Department Management Team and more detailed project concept notes to obtain concept clearance for full appraisal or fact-finding missions;
• Participating in or leading the planning and execution of appraisal and fact-finding missions. This includes developing terms of reference for the mission and for short-term consultants to be engaged for the mission, coordinating the work of the mission team which usually includes professional staff from other departments within the Bank, and carrying out independent research. The work also includes assessing the risks of projects and advising on appropriate structure or conducting preliminary negotiations with sponsors;
• Preparing or leading the preparation of project appraisal reports for presentation to the Department, the various review committees and finally to the Board of Directors. Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions;
• Ensuring that all conditions precedent have been fulfilled on a timely basis and all fees are billed and collected from clients;
• Developing relationships within the Bank and with other institutions involved in financial markets development; represent the Bank at and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences dealing with financial markets issues;
• Playing an active role in coaching and mentoring more junior investment officers;
• Coordinating closely with social environmental, and technical assistance colleagues in order to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact;
• Assist in integrity due diligence for potential clients;
• Maintaining knowledge of African financial markets & transaction structuring and provide market intelligence;
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners to deepen the financial sector and to develop specific investment opportunities.

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s or its equivalent in Development Economics, or any other discipline that is relevant to the  operations of the Bank; strong knowledge of socio-economic development issues and policies of African countries.
• Preferably a minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience;
• Demonstrated a good knowledge of RMCs or developing economies, the capacity of conceptual and strategic analysis, and good command of undertaking comprehensive due diligence including financial analysis of financial institutions, including banks, non-bank financial institutions and private equity funds;
• Demonstrated good knowledge of applying a variety of financial intermediation instruments such as debt, equity, guarantees, and other complex financial deal structuring;
• Ability to identify possible shortcomings of client (financial) institutions and to propose solutions, formulated through detailed technical assistance proposals;
• Capacity to conduct independent research and analyses, identify problems, propose solutions, and make recommendations to Management;
• Capacity to prepare reports and documents. Capacity to present and defend the consistency of proposed programs and projects. Capacity to work within specified time limits.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact directly and independently with senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners, and government officials, and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills to support and guide more junior.

go to method of application »

The mandate of the Financial Sector Development Department is to help the Regional Member Countries (RMCs) increase reach (e.g. financial inclusion), depth (e.g. financial intermediation), and breadth (e.g. capital market, cross-border development) of financial systems, while safeguarding financial stability. The Department has four long-term objectives: (i) development of a vibrant private sector through an inclusive access by households and enterprises to financial services; (ii) strengthening markets participants; (iii) developing efficient capital markets, and (iv) deepening regional financial integration.

The Financial Inclusion Division supports the Bank’s RMCs in their aim for near universal access of essential financial services. The Incumbent will promote inclusive finance policies and support country and regional programs and projects to facilitate affordable access to basic financial services for the unbanked and underserved populations, leveraging innovative and technology-led solutions to achieve the ultimate goals of near universal access in RMCs by.

Under the supervision of the Division Manager of the Financial Inclusion Division and in collaboration with other staff of the Division, the Principal Financial Inclusion Officer will:

• Undertake and lead, as required, the Division’s work on aspects of access and financial inclusion and align them with institutional objectives and support the Bank’s access and financial inclusion products;
• Participate in, and lead on lending and grant funding initiatives for the purposes of access and financial inclusion;
• Provide technical advice to RMCs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the private and public sectors in developing, planning and implementing financial inclusion strategies;
• Participate in the development of a capacity building program of African Private and Public Institutions, to create an efficient platform for the provision of access and financial inclusion solutions to underserved populations in Africa;
• Contribute in the Building of partnerships within and outside the Bank for the promotion of access and financial inclusion (exchange of information on projects, policies, operational experience, identification of co-financing opportunities, organization of joint promotional activities, etc.);
• Participate in knowledge sharing and learning activities on access and financial inclusion, and contribute to dissemination activities, conferences, workshops and learning programs;
• Provide support to other duties as assigned by the Division Manager.

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

Preferably a minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience in financial systems development or related field;

At least a Master’s or its equivalent in Development Economics, or any other discipline that is relevant to the  operations of the Bank; strong knowledge of socio-economic development issues and policies of African countries.

The Principal Financial Inclusion Officer must be able to demonstrate:

• Good knowledge of the operational policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral development agencies;
• Good operation experience in the Bank, with broad skills in operations evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and with strong analytical skills in assessment of institutional capacities and projects implementation;
• Excellent organizational, analytical, coordination and communication skills;
• Integrity, and ability to work under pressure and to deliver timely quality services;
• Ability to work accurately, methodically and to meet deadlines;
• Ability to work independently or within team; demonstrated mature sense of judgment;
• Ability to work and cooperate with others from diverse backgrounds;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French, and preferably with a working knowledge of the other language;
• Competence in the use of Bank standard softwares (word, Excel, Access and Power point).