Chief Rural Development Agro-Economist - Staple Crop Processing Zones at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Reference: ADB/17/498
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL3
Position N°: 50001023

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for ‘Agriculture, Human, and Social Development’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the High 5s priority of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.
• The Complex objectives are (i) to develop, policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.

The Hiring Department/Division

• The Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department provides support for the delivery of Feed Africa: Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, 2016-2025.
• The strategy aims to end hunger and rural poverty in the next decade through self-sufficiency in 15 priority commodity value chains specific to the continent’s agro-ecological zones. Realizing the objectives set forth in the strategy requires increased productivity; value addition; investment in infrastructure; an enabling agribusiness environment; capital flows; and inclusivity, sustainability and effective nutrition.
• The Department leads the effort to mobilize the required finance to implement Feed Africa and provides support for the implementation of all rural development activities in RMCs. AHFR is structured into two Divisions: (i) Agriculture and Rural Finance Division; and (ii) Rural Infrastructure Development Division.
• Rural Infrastructure Development Division will support the Directorate General Hubs in the design and executions of the programs to develop hard & soft Infrastructure that would boost productivity, agro-processing, storage, transportation and trade of agricultural produce, as well as enabling distribution and improved use of quality agricultural inputs.

The Position

• The job of the Chief Rural Development Agro Economist/ Staple Crop Processing Zones is to deliver:
• High-quality and Innovative Instruments for Staple Crop Processing Zones
• Practical Implementation Arrangements with Key Implementing Partners
• Knowledge Management of Best Practices on Staple Crop Processing Zones
• Policy and Enabling Environment and Alliances with Key Stakeholders around Staple Crop Processing Zones
• Monitoring of Performance and Recommendations for Corrective Actions.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Division Manager - Rural Infrastructure Development , the Chief, Rural Development Agro-Economist will perform the following:

Technical oversight:

• Lead technical support to the Department, Division, Regional Directorates and country teams for private sector promotion and Staple Crop Processing Zones and geo-spatial development;
• Assist in new Staple Crop Processing Zones that take into consideration smallholder farmers and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, women and youth, and that facilitate private sector promotion and geo-spatial development;
• Lead departmental efforts in cofinancing and resource mobilization for Staple Crop Processing Zones and geo-spatial development led by private sector partners;
• Represent the Bank in Agricultural Development fora to present the Banks’ Agenda on the African Agricultural Transformation, specifically Staple Crop Processing Zones;
• Support Regional Member Countries and Task Managers in the identification, preparation and appraisal of  geo-spatial development and Staple Crop Processing Zones within country operations;
• Enhance project implementation quality, timeliness and integrity through developing and implementing controls that minimize slippages;
• Develop and implementing performance monitoring and evaluation systems and reporting activities (including KPIs - Key Performance Indicators ) to enable transparent assessment of geo-spatial development and Staple Crop Processing Zones outcomes and impacts, both for internal and external circulation;
• Establish synergies between Staple Crop Processing Zones and the Bank’s other flagship programs for Agricultural Transformation in Africa:
• Maintain regular communication channels with stakeholders on progress and achievement of agriculture value chain financing operations as well as emerging constraints and opportunities;
• Establish and maintain strategic collaboration with private sector partners and Governments for Geo-Spatial Development for the sector;
• Define and monitor a set of impact indicators particularly around development impact and job creation for women and youth;
• Agree upon follow up arrangements for project designs and technical assistance for implementation upon consultation with concerned AFDB country offices;
• Supervise annual work plan budget preparation and follow its execution, and advise senior management on the budgetary and financial impacts of the division’s operations;

People management and staff engagement:

• Set realistic performance goals and motivate team members to meet them, both for individual staff and for the team as whole;
• Be a collaborative member of the department Management Team, contribute and share expertise and input and foster a collegial environment.
• Build strong relationship management and understand the business needs to assist in developing practical and effective solutions.
• Leading People: Serve as a role model, leading by example, builds alignment and commitment. Is courageous in challenging others to move the Bank forward;
• Promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across teams and across organizational units;
• Maintain a high standard of professional integrity, treat individuals fairly and respectively and be sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities and gender.

Leadership:

• Manage the efficient use of the financial and human resources of the Division, including the career development of staff.  On the technical front the work requires analytical and strategic skills, as well as personal knowledge and practical experience in the main areas of Bank intervention.
• Ensure that the Division produces a high-quality output within available resources, by making the best use of its human, financial and technological assets, and by monitoring and enforcing efficiency targets;
• Supervise complex project identification, preparation and appraisal for Bank Group financing and verify quality of the projects;

Corporate communication:

• Ensure effective communication between the Management and staff of the Bank, the authorities of member countries, officials from other organizations;
• Monitor best practice in the industry and, as appropriate, liaise with counterparts in other organization.

Selection Criteria

• Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience
• Hold at least a Master’s Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Engineering, or related field of study with strong rural development and engineering experience.
• Have  a minimum of seven (07) years relevant professional experience in the area of rural infrastructure development and 3 years working on Staple Crop Processing Zones in a managerial capacity in an international multilateral institution;
• Sound Experience with International Development Financing Institutions in developing countries including a satisfactory knowledge of their operational policies and procedures;
• Proven leadership in matters relating to rural development such as policy dialogue, technical review of reports and consultation with other financiers, among others.
• Knowledge of Africa and the rural development needs, opportunities, development challenges and possible solutions;
• Deep understanding of rural infrastructure development.
• Having Private Sector Experience is advantageous
• Operational Effectiveness
• Problem Solving
• Client Orientation
• Team working and relationships
• Communication
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French or English languages, preferably with a working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.