Division Manager Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact

African Development Bank
Abidjan - Cote D'ivoire
S: Competitive

THE BANK

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries).  The Bank's development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas, all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX

The Chief Economist/Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management (ECVP) is the Bank's spokesperson on economic matters and the VP for the 'Economics Governance and Knowledge Management Complex'. The ECVP is responsible for (i) providing leadership and visibility for the Bank on economic, finance, financial governance and socio economic development issues; and coordinate the generation of analytical works to inform operational policy; (ii) systematically emphasize the critical role of knowledge, experience, lessons learnt and their tangible impact on sustainable, inclusive transformation of African economies. The ECVP will inspire, generate and provide direct support to the President and Senior Management of the Bank on a broad range of technical and management issues within the broad remit of economic, finance, public financial governance, management and social economics.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT/DIVISION

The Macroeconomic Policy, Forecasting and Research Department (ECMR) is dedicated to the generation of high quality knowledge in the area of development in Africa. It provides technical support to operations and Regional Member Countries through rigorous analytical work; engages in impactful policy dialogue with decision-making bodies within and outside of the Bank; and most importantly enhances the operational effectiveness of the Bank in achieving the High 5s. The activities of the department are structured around the Macroeconomic Policy, Debt Sustainability and Forecasting on one side, and the Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact on the other.

The Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division (ECMR.2) focuses on microeconomic issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, private sector development, industrial organizations, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, agriculture, institutions, and regional integration to support the High 5s. In addition, ECMR.2 is the institutional anchor of the ex-ante Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment (ADOA) and Impact Evaluations (IEs) of the Bank's operations. As such it is a key part of the Bank's Results Measurement Framework and the primary tool for mainstreaming Development Outcomes.

THE POSITION:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Macroeconomic Policy, Forecasting and Research, (ECMR); the Manager of the Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division, ECMR.2 will be responsible for
(i)Designing and executing a program of analytical work covering selected African development issues, both directly and in cooperation with other African and international research centers and institutions with a special emphasis on the High 5s and the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy;
(ii) Overseeing and managing a team of professional economists providing technical support and advise to project appraisal teams processing lending operations through the ex-ante assessment of Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment (ADOA)
(iii) providing leadership and inspiration in the undertaking of quality research and analyses in Africa's economic development, with emphasis on microeconomics and development impact analysis in the Bank, which aims to enhance the scope and standards of Bank operations, economic and sector work and policy dialogue with RMCs;
(iv)_ Leading the design and execution of the Bank's impact evaluation activities in close coordination with other sector complexes;
(v) Providing technical input in economic and sector work, CSP & RISP preparations, development of policies, in line with the Bank's High 5s;

KEY FUNCTIONS

Under the supervision of the Director of ECMR, the Division Manager Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division (ECMR.2) will be responsible for the following:
Work program validation and execution, talent and budget management. This involves:
Review and validate the objectives and work program of the division and individual staff, ensuring alignment with the Bank, Complex and department strategic priorities.
Ensure the division has the appropriate skills-mix at any time for effective delivery of the objectives defined in the work program.
Review and validate the division's budget, and ensure its effective implementation.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators to drive and monitor the Division's performance.
Perform assessments of the division's staff work performance, appraising staff potential and determining training needs;
Put in place, with the assistance of the Human Resources department, talent management mechanisms, to build a talent pool for the department for business continuity.
Monitor implementation of the Division's work program and introduce changes where necessary to ensure that work objectives are met.
Management of the division's Additionality and Development Outcome Assessments (ADOA) workflow. ADOA is a decision making tool that performs ex-ante evaluation of the Bank's value added (i.e. additionality) and expected development outcomes of lending operations. This involves:
Handle requests received from various sector complexes originating lending operations (including financial intermediaries, infrastructure, goods and services, special facilities and programs), assign ADOA officers, review all ADOA notes to ensure consistency, quality control and timely delivery,
Review and clear project briefing material prepared for the Director and the VP,
Manage ADOA assessments of regional operations as part of their prioritization under the various African Development Fund cycles: assign projects to staff, review and validate notes, coordinate with relevant AfDB departments to finalize the list of prioritized ROs,
Oversee and provide advisory services to AfDB sector departments to improve project design and maximize development impact,
Plan, manage, organize and undertake activities relating to the conduct of policy relevant research on Microeconomics, Institutional and Development Impact in accordance with the Bank's High 5s. This involves:
Lead comparative research analysis and other analytical work on microeconomic issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, private sector development, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, industrialization, institutions, and regional integration to support the High 5s and inform Regional Member Countries and Bank Group operations;
Provide analysis of Regional Member Countries' economies using appropriate and assessing regional and continental development strategies;
Promote collaborative work and maintaining relations with institutions dealing with economic research and development policies, especially as they relate to Africa.
Facilitate the generation, dissemination and sharing of knowledge on African development issues through major reports and publications, participate in international and regional seminars and organize Bank sponsored workshops and training programs;
Promote stronger linkages with African Universities and research organizations as well as other research institutions elsewhere and with partner institutions such as the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the World Bank, to undertake collaborative research programs where feasible,
Design and execute Impact Evaluations of the Bank's operations in order to inform design of future ones;
Support senior management and other AfDB sector departments to deliver on the Bank's High 5 genda
Assist the ECMR Director in responding to requests from AfDB president and senior management for advice and analytical work (briefs, policy notes and papers, talking points, research, speeches),
Provide technical input and critical review of AfDB strategy and policy documents;
Contribute to key internal and extremal initiatives such as Task forces, working groups and new programs and initiatives;
Ensure the division has the appropriate skills-mix at any time for effective delivery of the objectives defined in the work program.

Represents the Bank in international and regional conferences, seminars and workshops

Performs other tasks as requested by the Director and senior management

COMPETENCIES (skills, experience and knowledge):

Hold at least a Master degree in Economics, Finance, or related discipline.
Have a minimum of eight (8) years' experience in microeconomic issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, private or financial sector development, industrial organizations, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, agriculture, institutions, and regional integration. A minimum of 3 years of professional experience dealing with economic evaluation and analysis of projects is necessary.
Publication record in international peer reviewed journals, or proven record of publications of reports, working papers, books focusing on microeconomic issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, private and financial sector development, industrial organizations, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, agriculture, institutions, and regional integration.
A good understanding of the Bank or similar organizations Environmental & Social policy requirements
Strong knowledge and background in the use of statistical and econometric methods and packages in development economics and microeconomics research; theoretical knowledge to develop and implement research programs.
Proven ability to build and lead a team of motivated staff, and utilize the talents and expertise of team members in a productive way.
Capacity to initiate and manage innovation and change.
A strong drive for results, an ability to carry out swiftly and efficiently numerous competing demands, and capable of managing competing priorities.
Ability to make presentations, engage in public speaking
Proven ability in development policy research and analysis of economic conditions that are of relevance for the High 5s (Bank priority areas).
Ability to design and conduct research projects/programs
Proven skills in drafting and preparation of policy memoranda, speeches and notes
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
Competence in the use of leading econometrics software packages and in Microsoft Suites (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access).

Applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are considered for further assessment will be contacted. Applicants should submit a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV) and any additional documents that may be stated as required. The President of the African Development Bank reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.  The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. http://www.afdb.org

The African Development Bank Group does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the Bank does not request information on applicants' bank accounts. The African Development Bank Group declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever. 

Job summary