Division Manager, Governance and Economic Management (ECGF1 and ECGF2) at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Full Time

Job Title: Division Manager, Governance and Economic Management (ECGF1 and ECGF2)

Location: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Employment Type: Full-time

The Complex

• The core mandate of the Vice Presidency (ECVP) is to lead the Bank Group on prioritizing the generation, analysis, dissemination, brokering and implementation of relevant knowledge solutions in all High-5 operational priorities and the cross-cutting themes of its Ten-Year Strategy. Such solutions must be a clear response to priority development challenges facing regional member countries (RMCs), individually or collectively and need to involve RMCs in both the planning and implementation of the solutions.
• The key focus areas include: (i) research on major development issues facing Africa and their relation to global economic governance and other major global public goods; (ii) country diagnostics and future perspectives; (iii) policy dialogue and advisory services; (iv) economic, sector, and thematic knowledge work; (v) improving national and sub-regional statistical systems; (vi) preparation, design and support to implementation of public financial management and Governance operations; (vii) capacity development for policy formulation and implementation; (viii) technical assistance and advice related to RMCs’ management of natural resources; and (vii) knowledge dissemination and development of national, regional, and inter regional knowledge networks.

The Hiring Department

• The Governance and Economic Reforms Department (ECGF) is in the complex of the Chief Economist / Vice Presidency for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management (ECVP), is responsible for coordination and operationalization of the Bank’s Governance policy, strategy and programs, including lending and non-lending work. ECGF works in collaboration with the other complex’s and departments of the Bank towards ensuring (i) that the Bank’s substantive technical engagement with key policy and strategy processes in the area of governance and public financial management are properly coordinated; and (ii) that the Bank’s interventions in Regional Member Countries, through program-based operations/ budget support and institutional strengthening projects promote effective and accountable governance and public financial management.
• The Department has two Divisions, ECGF.1 and ECGF.2. The Division ECGF.1 covers Governance operations in the Central, North and West Regions of Africa, while ECGF.2 Division covers Governance operations in the East and South Regions of Africa.

The Positions

• The Governance Divisions are engaged in mainstreaming governance matters into Bank Group operations and promoting good governance in RMCs through supporting activities and initiatives aimed at improving transparency and accountability in public financial management, fighting corruption, building capacity, and strengthening institutions.
• The Divisions are responsible for preparing governance assessments, governance policy-based operations, institutional capacity building and technical assistance operations, policy dialogue and the provision of Bank support to international, continent wide and regional governance initiatives together with other relevant Departments of the Bank.

Key Functions
Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Governance and Economic Reforms Department, the Division Managers will be responsible for managing the staff of the Divisions, planning, organizing as well as coordinating its activities. His/Her duties and responsibilities will include the following:
Strategy and Planning:

• Contribute towards the development of country and sector level policy and strategies for economic governance issues in RMCs in consultation with relevant government agencies and country offices.
• Engage in policy reform dialogue with Government officials and development partners on governance policy and reforms.
• Contribute to the preparation of policy statements, papers, briefs and various reports on economic governance issues.
• Contribute to the preparation of Regional Integration Strategy Papers, Country Strategy Papers and Country Policy and Institutional Assessments towards ensuring Governance and economic management   issues are incorporated and adequately addressed.
• Represent the Bank in its engagement with development partners on discussions relating to the macroeconomic framework of the country.
• Collaborate and work as a team with relevant units of ECVP and RDVP including Regional Business Development and Delivery Offices, and Country Offices

Project Management:

• Establish and monitor the work program of the Division.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators to drive the Division’s performance.
• Lead/support Bank teams in the preparation and implementation of program-based operations, Result based financing operations and institutional support projects at the country and regional levels.
• Play a leadership role in the provision of advice to other project and policy work of the Bank to ensure that it is in line with current development thinking and practices in economic governance area.
• Manage an active country portfolio of project/programs, to ensure timely implementation according to agreed objectives.
• Oversee the preparation approval and implementation of the Division’s budget and mission schedules in conformity with the general rules and procedures of the Bank.
• Involve all relevant stakeholders, including RMCs’ governments, other development partners and concerned parties (including civil societies) or other stakeholders, in project cycle activities.
• Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects.

Sector Economic Work and Knowledge Sharing:

• Undertake reviews, analysis and reporting of economic management initiatives of Governments, ensuring that these are considered in the design and implementation of projects and programs.
• Lead/ support the preparation of Public expenditure and financial accountability assessments and other upstream analytical and diagnostic work on Governance and public financial management systems.
• Coordinate with other development partners working in this field, and act as focal person for country level engagements in these areas.
• Contribute to activities of advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around sector issues, public financial management, tax policy, public expenditures.
• Engage in networks relevant to Governance and economic and financial management issues.

People and Talent Management:

• Ensure the divisions have the appropriate sector specialists for each High-5 priorities and the skills-mix required to deliver transformative impacts at all times for effective delivery of the objectives defined in the work program.
• Assess work performance, appraise staff potential, and determine training needs.
• Put in place, with the assistance of the Human Resources Management department, delivery accountability and talent management mechanisms, to build a talent pool for the department for business continuity.
• Represents the Bank in international and regional conferences, seminars and workshops where necessary or as delegated by the Senior Leadership of the Bank and ECVP/ECGF Management.
• Performs other tasks as requested by the ECVP/ECGF Management and senior management of the Bank

Competencies (Skills, Experience and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master’s Degree in Economics, Public Administration, Governance / Political Science, Law or related disciplines.
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in governance, public sector management, policy formulation, public expenditure, or related areas including at least two years in leading role.
• Proven ability to build and lead a team in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment, a very good team spirit, valuing mutual respect as well as regular and open communication.
• Strong experience in the design and delivery of governance operations (including investment projects, results-based operations and program-based operations), as well as project management.
• Proven ability to conduct research, analyze and produce reports.  Publications on topics related governance would be an added advantage.
• Sound understanding of governance issues in developing countries, in particularly around macroeconomic management, transparency and accountability in public financial management, ensuring a business enabling environment, combatting corruption and illicit financial flows, and promoting participation and demand side governance.
• Demonstrable experience of the operational policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral or multilateral organisations in Africa.
• Track record in engaging policy dialogue and providing advisory services and capacity building.
• In-depth understanding of governance and public management issues, including strong background in Africa and/or countries in transition.
• Ability to broker knowledge through partnerships, collaborations and networks.
• Familiarity with operational policies and programming practices of multilateral organisation
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Ability to apply innovative approaches, work independently and apply new methods to solve problems, while remaining efficient in a fast-paced, changing and challenging environment.
• Ability to succeed in multi-cultural environment.
• Capacity to manage sensitive situations requiring work under pressure to deliver results within the prescribed time limits.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Arabic or Portuguese would be an added advantage.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Experience in the use of SAP is advantageous.

Application Closing Date
29th May, 2024.