African Development Bank (AfDB) - the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. 

POSITION : Coordinator, Joint Secretariat Support Office (JSSO)

The Hiring Department

• The Joint Secretariat Support Office Coordinator is part of the Regional Integration team within the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Vice Presidency Complex (RDVP). The position is located within the Economic Commissions for Africa Secretariat.

The Position

• The JSSO Coordinator is part of the Regional Integration team and reports to the VP: RDVP and Steering Committee.
• The position is located within the Economic Commissions for Africa (ECA) Secretariat and will work closely with the Directors of Regional Integration at AUC, UNECA & AFDB.
• The incumbent provides strategic and operational leadership and oversee the day-to-day running of the Joint Secretariat Support Office while facilitating the Joint Secretariat Support Office strategic interface with the African Union Commission, Economic Commissions for Africa and African Development Bank, and leverage synergies among the three institutions.
• The incumbent initiates, manages and evaluates activities and supervises staff at the Secretariat in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between African Union Commission/Economic Commissions for Africa/African Development Bank on the establishment and operation of a Joint Secretariat.
• The incumbent leads the Joint Secretariat Support Office's contributions in the generation and application of new knowledge relevant to the Bank’s Strategy, High 5’s and Africa’s development agenda.
• In addition, the incumbent is responsible for the evaluation of the performance of the Joint Secretariat Support Office staff.

Responsibilities

• Build strong working relationships with the relevant departments and divisions in the three institutions (AUC, ECA and AfDB);
• Facilitate consensus among the three institutions regarding joint activities to implement, including sharing of specific roles and responsibilities in different priority areas;
• Identify areas where there is need for consolidation, collaboration or complementarities among the three institutions;
• Facilitate and coordinate implementation of resolutions, directives and guidelines of the Steering Committee;
• Coordinate and manage cross-regional and cross-community of practice collaboration as well as build relations with external institutions;
• Prepare and submit comprehensive quarterly and yearly progress reports and work plans/financial updates/budgets of the secretariat;
• Work closely with departments responsible for regional integration in the three institutions to develop work programs, ensure follow-up and monitor the implementation of activities of the institutions in the priority areas and other joint initiatives.
• Developing deeper partnership between the three institutions (AUC, AfDB, and ECA) and key partners including Regional Economic Communities (RECs);
• Developing and implementing a results-based management system and ensure alignment with work plans, planning and management cycle. Ensure programmes developed are aligned with the strategy and policies of the three JSSO institutions;
• Elaborate clear JSSO work programs in line with the priority areas as recommended by the Steering Committee;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director: Regional Integration.

Selection Criteria

• Can identify and create meaningful linkages across sectors to drive development impact at a country and regional level.
• Ability to define and effectively drive the portfolio management activities under uncertain and challenging circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to take prudent intervention risks that contribute to the delivery an appropriate results.
• Helps others understand how their personal objectives align with Joint Secretariat Support Office mandate as well as the three institutions.
• Creates motivational opportunities that recognize the diversity of staff and address the needs and goals of Joint Secretariat Support Office.
• Develops people to improve the capability of Joint Secretariat Support Office and the three institutions (African Union Commission, Economic Commissions for Africa and African Development Bank).
• A Master's degree or its equivalent in Economics, International Law, Social Sciences, Engineering, International Trade, Agriculture/Forestry, Business Administration, Public Administration and knowledge of development issues;
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in an internationally recognized financial or development institution or public service; three (3) years of which should be at a managerial level with private sector experience being an added advantage.
• Experience in managing portfolio performance.
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage;
• Ability to produce innovative and creative approaches to activities in order to enhance performance and create added benefits to the Bank and its clients.
• Possess the commitment to ensure that full use is made of the systems, procedures and culture within the organization in order to deliver the required results.
• Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and distributed organization.
• Ability to ensure that the client (internal or external) is considered to be of primary importance in all transactions and interactions.
• Ability to present and win support for ideas; a good listener with cultural sensitivity, commitment to diversity and capacity to initiate and manage innovations, creativity, and change.
• Ability to build relationships and partnerships with a broad range of clients, internal and external, for effective delivery of results that meet the needs and interests of clients within and outside the institution.
• Comprehensively understands projects structures, including project planning, risk management strategy, communication management strategy, lessons learned and handover, and other critical success factors, strategies, policies, procedures and practices of other similar institutions.
• Has an acute knowledge and understanding of the elements essential for the effective delivery and measurement of development impacts through projects and programs in Africa.
• People Management to ensure they are truly engaged and perform at optimal levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other language.
• Proficient in the use of standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Practical knowledge of SAP systems will be an advantage.