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 in five major areas (High 5s),
all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified,
namely: energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the
quality of life for the people of Africa.
Position title:
Chief Rural Development Agro-Economist/Staple Crop Processing Zones
Grade: PL 3
Position N°:
50001023
Reference:
ADB/17/498
Publication date:
04/12/2017
Closing date:
15/12/2017
Country: Côte
d’Ivoire
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:
1. High-quality and
Innovative Instruments for Staple Crop Processing Zones
2. Practical
Implementation Arrangements with Key Implementing Partners
3. Knowledge
Management of Best Practices on Staple Crop Processing Zones
4. Policy and
Enabling Environment and Alliances with Key Stakeholders around Staple Crop
Processing Zones
5. 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
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. Lead
departmental efforts in cofinancing and resource mobilization for Staple Crop
Processing Zones and geo-spatial development led by private sector partners;
4. Represent the
Bank in Agricultural Development fora to present the Banks’ Agenda on the
African Agricultural Transformation, specifically Staple Crop Processing Zones;
5. 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;
6. Enhance project
implementation quality, timeliness and integrity through developing and
implementing controls that minimize slippages;
7. 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;
8. Establish
synergies between Staple Crop Processing Zones and the Bank’s other flagship
programs for Agricultural Transformation in Africa:
9. Maintain regular
communication channels with stakeholders on progress and achievement of
agriculture value chain financing operations as well as emerging constraints
and opportunities;
10. Establish and
maintain strategic collaboration with private sector partners and Governments
for Geo-Spatial Development for the sector;
11. Define and
monitor a set of impact indicators particularly around development impact and
job creation for women and youth;
12. Agree upon
follow up arrangements for project designs and technical assistance for
implementation upon consultation with concerned AFDB country offices;
13. 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
14. Set realistic
performance goals and motivate team members to meet them, both for individual
staff and for the team as whole;
15. Be a
collaborative member of the department Management Team, contribute and share
expertise and input and foster a collegial environment.
16. Build strong
relationship management and understand the business needs to assist in
developing practical and effective solutions.
17. Leading People:
Serve as a role model, leading by example, builds alignment and commitment. Is
courageous in challenging others to move the Bank forward;
18. Promote
collaboration and facilitate teamwork across teams and across organizational
units;
19. Maintain a high
standard of professional integrity, treat individuals fairly and respectively
and be sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities and gender.
Leadership
20. 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.
21. 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;
22. Supervise
complex project identification, preparation and appraisal for Bank Group
financing and verify quality of the projects;
Corporate communication:
23. Ensure effective
communication between the Management and staff of the Bank, the authorities of
member countries, officials from other organizations;
24. Monitor best
practice in the industry and, as appropriate, liaise with counterparts in other
organization.
Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience
1. Hold at least a
Master’s Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Engineering, or related field of
study with strong rural development and engineering experience.
2. 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;
3. Sound Experience
with International Development Financing Institutions in developing countries
including a satisfactory knowledge of their operational policies and
procedures;
4. Proven
leadership in matters relating to rural development such as policy dialogue,
technical review of reports and consultation with other financiers, among
others.
5. Knowledge of
Africa and the rural development needs, opportunities, development challenges
and possible solutions;
6. Deep
understanding of rural infrastructure development.
7. Having Private
Sector Experience is advantageous
8. Operational
Effectiveness
9. Problem Solving
10. Client
Orientation
11. Team working and
relationships
12. Communication
13. Ability to
communicate and write effectively in French or English languages, preferably
with a working knowledge of the other language.
14. Competence in
the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access,
PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.
THIS POSITION IS
CLASSIFIED INTERNATIONAL STATUS AND ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF EMPLOYMENT
Should you encounter technical difficulties in submitting
your application, please send an email with a precise description of the issue
and/or a screenshot showing the problem, to: HR Direct HRDirect@AFDB.ORG
How to Apply
Do you want this job? Then click here to apply
Application Closing
Date
15th December, 2017.
