Exciting Jobs at The African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

The main objective of the Governance, Economic and Financial Management Department (OSGE) is to provide support to Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in their efforts to improve their governance systems, particularly in the areas of public sector and economic management, sector governance and business enabling environment (BEE). This objective is achieved through operations designed to support economic and financial reforms and build institutional capacity. The choice and mix of instruments deployed by the Bank and managed by the Department, which include policy based lending, investment projects, technical assistance, capacity building, and economic and sector work, are tailored to country circumstances. The Department undertakes policy dialogue with RMCs governments on reform priorities and nature and modalities of Bank assistance. The Department’s activities are guided by the Bank’s Long-Term Strategy 2013-2022 and the Governance Strategic Framework and Action Plan (GAP II) covering the period 2014-2018.

The role of the Chief Governance Officer is to advise the Director/Managers of OSGE on strategic and policy issues relating to the activities of the Department. He/ She will also be responsible for providing advice on the technical quality of operations and documents prepared by the Department and for coordinating some of the Department’s cross cutting initiatives.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the head of the organizational unit and working closely with internal and external stakeholders, the incumbent will:

•  Prepare and manage an active and complex portfolio of projects/programs (from identification to completion) of policy based operations (budget support operations, balance of payments support program) as well as institutional support projects in the area of Governance, and economic management to ensure timely implementation according to agreed objectives;
• Provide expert advice and contribute to the preparation of Economic and Financial Assessment Programs Plan and other upstream analytical and diagnostic work to inform Country Strategy Papers (CSP) and Regional Integration Strategy Paper (RISP); provide guidance to Country/Regional departments on policy dialogue with RMCs relating to economic and financial reform programs and related issues (economic and financial governance, creating an enabling  environment  for the private  sector, strengthening  regional  cooperation and economic integration); interact with Country Economists in CSP and RISP implementation,  mid-term review and completion reports with due attention to economic and financial reforms; and provide back-up to country offices to ensure provision of quality advisory service to RMCs;
• Lead, organize, coordinate and/or oversee the identification, appraisal, supervision missions and ex-post reviews of Bank operations focusing on economic and financial management, involving RMCs' governments, other development partners and concerned parties or other stakeholders;
• Participate with other development partners in public expenditure  reviews  (PER),  public expenditure and financial accountability reviews (PEFA) and other diagnostic works; and ensure that  operations  meet  quality  and  compliance  with  Bank's  rules  and  procedures,  international standards as well as Paris declaration requirement issues.
• Lead, coordinate and/or participate in the preparation of policy statements, papers, briefs and various reports on economic and financial governance issues and other areas relevant to the Economic and Financial Management Division;
• Provide assistance to RMCs in understanding and applying the Bank Group's policies and procedures relating to assistance to economic and financial  reform program as well as on other issues related to project or program implementation, including policy issues;
• Participate to the preparation of the Department budget and recruitment of research assistants and consultants; and advise junior staff in projects/programs designing, launching and managing;
• Carry out any other duties pertinent to the work of the Division, assigned by the Division Manager or the Director.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent university degree in development economics, macroeconomics, economic policy management, public finances, public sector auditing;
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in public policy, economic policy, or government financial management, and strong experience in the design and delivery of operations (including investment projects and policy based operations), as well as project management, preferably in a multilateral development finance institution; at least four (4) years of which should be focused on developing countries, preferably in Africa;
• Sound understanding of macroeconomics, 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 agencies in Africa;
• 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;
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language;
• Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish would be an added advantage.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with senior people, both internally & externally.
• Honesty and professional integrity.
• Competence in standard Microsoft Office applications, familiarity with SAP recommended.

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The core objectives of the Governance Division (OSGE.1) in the Department on Governance, Economic and Financial management (OSGE) is to provide support to Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in their efforts to improve their governance systems, particularly in the areas of public sector and economic management, sector governance and business enabling environment (BEE). This objective is achieved through operations designed to support economic and financial reforms and build institutional capacity. The choice and mix of instruments deployed by the Bank and managed by the Department, which include policy based lending, investment projects, technical assistance, capacity building and economic and sector work, are tailored to country circumstances. The Division undertakes policy dialogue with RMCs governments on reform priorities and nature and modalities of Bank assistance. It is responsible for the identification, design and delivery of Bank support in that domain. The Department’s activities are guided by the Bank’s Long-Term Strategy 2013-2022 and the Governance Strategic Framework and Action Plan (GAP II) covering the period 2014-2018.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Division Manager, OSGE.1, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Participate in the identification, appraisal, supervision and ex-post review of Bank support programs in the area of economic and financial governance with a focus on macroeconomic management, fiscal policy, fiscal public financial management, and their incidence on growth and macro-economic stability in RMCs. These operations include budget support operations, institutional strengthening projects, and targeted diagnostic works with a focus on building effective institutions that promote equity, transparency, and accountability in the management of public resources;
• Manage up to three country portfolios including a mix of policy-based lending, budget support operations, institutional strengthening, non-lending activities and analytical work focusing on good financial governance and sound public financial management; and contribute to the preparation of Country Strategy Papers (CSP) and Country Policy and Institutional Assessments (CPIA); provide guidance to Country/Regional Programming Departments on fiscal policy and public financial management dialogue with (RMCs);
• Contribute to the Department’s work in the design of Bank Group operational interventions in the area of public financial management and implementation of inclusive and sustainable public budgeting practices for national and local governances in line with the Bank Group’s Governance Policy and Guidelines and international best practices;.
• Coordinate the Department important work related to public expenditure and financial accountability reviews (PEFA) and serve as focal point on PEFA for the Bank. Participate in other relevant upstream analytical and diagnostic work, including preparation of PFM assessment that underpins the PEFA, with a view to enrich the Bank’s knowledge base and strengthen its operational interventions through policy-based lending and budget support operations;
• Provide state of the art technical expertise to RMCs on fiscal policy formulation and strategies for promoting good public budgeting practice throughout the budget cycle: from participatory planning and priority setting; preparation, appropriation and approval; execution, revisions and oversight; to budget review analysis and lessons learning;
• Facilitate enhanced collaboration with bilateral and institutional partners in joint budget support and institutional capacity building interventions in the area of economic and financial governance; and ensure participation of non-state actors in the Bank’s work to promote effective and accountable public institutions;
• Draft Management statements and technical contributions on public financial management and public budgeting issues for various Bank Group reports, for economic governance and public financial management issues for various Bank Group reports, for dissemination in print or electronic format (including the Internet); and draft articles for publication in external professional journals;
• Represent the Bank in national, regional, and global partnerships, networks, conferences, workshops, and training seminars on issues related to governance in general, and fiscal policy and public budgeting in particular.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent university degree in development economics, macroeconomics, economic policy management, public finances, public sector auditing;
• A Minimum of six (6) years of experience in public policy, economic policy, or government financial management, and strong experience in the design and delivery of operations (including investment projects and policy based operations), as well as project management, preferably in a multilateral development finance institution; at least four (4) years of which should be focused on developing countries, preferably in Africa;
• Sound understanding of macroeconomics, 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 agencies in Africa;
• 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;
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language;
•  Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish would be an added advantage.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with senior people, both internally & externally.
• Honesty and professional integrity.
• Competence in standard Microsoft Office applications, familiarity with SAP recommended.

go to method of application »

The Office of the Auditor General (OAGL) is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling a broad, comprehensive program of auditing both internally and externally including, without limitation, all projects and programs of the Bank group. The Office shall provide all levels of management with periodic, independent and objective appraisals and audits of financial, accounting, operational, administrative and other activities, including identifying possible means of improving accountability, efficiency of operations and economy in the use of resources.

Under the direct supervision of the Auditor General, the Front Office shall be responsible, in coordination with Divisions in charge of Financial, Corporate and Operations Audits, for supporting the Auditor General in achieving his/her mandate.

Under the General supervision of the Auditor General, the Chief Internal Auditor:

1. Leads Audit Teams to conduct audits of highly diversified Bank-wide activities relating to the financial, corporate and operational functions of the Bank by:
• planning audits and determining audit objectives, scope, criteria, methodology to be used as well as staff and budget resources required to ensure that the audit adequately covers the selected area of the Bank's operations, activities, systems and controls;
• deciding on the applicable audit approach and techniques that will facilitate the conduct of the audit and preparing the Audit Planning Memorandum (APM) for the Manager's approval;
• preparing Audit Programme or modify existing ones (if any), to ensure systematic approach to the audit and ensure that the scope of the audit is fully covered;
• conducting the field work by collecting data, documents and information, testing and analyzing such information, identifying weaknesses, causes and effects of variances, errors, non-compliance with rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc.;
• reviewing the working papers and reports of the other staff in the Audit Team to ensure that the audit work is in accordance with the Programme, the findings are supported by the evidence and working papers complies with professional auditing standard;
• discussing the audit findings and recommendations with the auditee Departments' staff,  Managers and Directors;
• preparing and typing the Preliminary Audit Report containing observations, conclusions and recommendations to tighten controls, safeguard the assets or image of the Bank, improve working procedures and ensure that resources are efficiently utilized, for the Auditor General's signature and transmission to the auditee Departments and Vice-Presidents for comments;
• preparing and typing the Final Internal Audit Report after incorporating the comments of the auditee Departments and Vice-Presidents, for the Auditor General's signature through the Manager and onward transmission to the President and the Boards of Directors;
• Monitoring the implementation of the audit recommendations to ensure that the weaknesses observed are corrected and do not recur.
2. Leads other Auditors or undertakes special assignments on any aspect of the Bank’s operations as requested by the President or Boards of Directors by:
• Planning the approach to be utilized, deciding the objectives, scope, and methodology to follow, preparing the Audit Planning Memorandum (APM) for the Manager's approval and preparing the Programme to ensure that the delivery of the assignment is systematic and all aspects are covered.
• Interviewing the parties involved and collecting all pertinent data, documentation and information from all relevant sources, e.g. Directors and Vice Presidents, analyzing data and information collected to identify causes of irregularities, violation of Bank Rules, etc.
• Preparing and typing the Preliminary and Final Report incorporating the formal comments of parties involved for the Auditor General's signature through the Manager and transmission to the President and the Boards of Directors.
• Monitoring the implementation of recommendations to prevent re-occurrence of such irregularities and safeguard the assets and image of the Bank.
3. Supervises and reviews the work performed by other Auditors and Consultants to ensure that audit objectives are achieved, working papers adequately support the findings, conclusions and recommendations and the report is accurate, objective, clear, concise, constructive and timely.
4. Performs Quality Control of Audits conducted in the past to improve quality of future audits.
5. Leads Audit Missions to Member Countries’ organizations, Project Executing Agencies and Sites to conduct audit and advises on compliance with Bank Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures to improve project implementation.
6. Assists the Auditor General in preparing the Internal Audit Quarterly Activity Reports containing the status of implementation of the Annual Internal Audit Work Programme for submission to the Boards of Directors.
7. Assists the Auditor General in preparing the Annual Budget containing the resource requirements of the Office.
8. Assists the Auditor General in proposing and preparing broad audit guidelines, manual, procedures and standards for internal audit activities to ensure consistency of audit approach, independence, objectivity, professional proficiency and due care.
9. Selects and presents, and discusses audit findings of particularly great impact or recommendations for major changes in procedures, work flow or organization, with Managers, Directors and Vice Presidents concerned to obtain their agreement.
10. Monitors and assesses adequacy of action taken by auditee departments to correct reported deficient conditions, conferring with Managers and Directors to ensure appropriate corrective measures are taken.
11. Reviews Bank Group’s new Rules, Regulations, Policies and Procedures, as well as, proposed changes to existing ones to ensure that adequate controls are incorporated therein.
12. Gives advice to other Departments and Committees on matters relating to internal control, audit of project accounts, procedures, financial management, operational issues to facilitate their decision making processes.
13. Trains, directs and counsels less experienced Internal Auditors in the performance of audit assignments to ensure compliance with audit procedures, proficiency and time schedules.
14. Assists the Auditor General in liaising with External Auditors during the Annual Interim and Final Audits of the Bank Group’s Accounts to exchange information and reports, discuss audit coverage, findings and recommendations. Also, liaises with other Departments on audit matters to facilitate the conduct of audit assignments and resolve any problems which might be encountered during and after the completion of audit.
15. Assists the Auditor General in coordinating the External Quality Assurance Reviews usually conducted by External Auditors or Institute of Internal Auditors or Internal Audit Department of a Multilateral Development Bank, to facilitate their work by collecting all the data, documents, information requested in all Departments, sending survey questionnaires to all Directors, arranging and attending their meetings with Directors and Top Management, reading and commenting on their draft Reports.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

1. A minimum of a Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration and/or an internationally recognized Professional Accounting/Auditing Qualification (“Expert comptable” Chartered/Certified Public Accountant designation).
2. A minimum of seven (7) years of auditing experience in an internationally recognized professional accounting firm or an international Financial Institution.
3. Sound knowledge and auditing experience of Treasury and Private sector operations and financial instruments and information systems such as SAP/R3 system, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Integrated Audit Approach would be of a comparative advantage.
4. Good interpersonal, supervisory, communication and analytical skills.  Demonstrated writing skills and attention to detail.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.
6. Proficient in the use of the Bank standard software: Excel, Word, Power points; MS projects, Access, Visio etc.
7. Proficiency in the use of computer Aided Audit Tools like ACL, PENTANA, etc.