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

POSITION : Division Manager - Microeconomic, Institutional and Development Impact Division

The Hiring Department

• The Macroeconomics 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 enhance 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 Microeconomics, 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 Evaluation (IE) of the Bank’s operations, as such it is a key element of the Bank Results Framework and the primary tool for mainstreaming Development Outcomes.

The Position

• 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;
• Raising the Bank’s capacity to pose crucial issues in Africa’s development and to devise solutions through the production of flagship reports and working papers dedicated to these issues.
• Providing technical input in economic and sector work, CSP & RISP preparations, development of policies, in line with the Bank’s High 5s;
• Designing and to undertake a program of analysis and research on selected African development issues related both directly and in cooperation with other African and international research centers with a special emphasis on the High 5s and the Bank Ten-Year Strategy;
• Providing technical support and advise to project assessment teams and support to operations through the ex-ante assessment of Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment (ADOA) and Impact Evaluation of the Bank’s operations;

Responsibilities

• Work program validation and execution of the Division’s activities:
  • Review and validate the objectives and work program for the division, ensuring alignment to the Bank, Complex and department strategic priorities.
  • Review and validate the budget, and its effective implementation.
  • Develop and monitor key performance indicators to drive the Division’s performance.
  • making assessments in the recruitment of qualified staff for the Division;
  • assessing work performance, appraising staff potential and determining training needs;
  • Monitoring implementation of the Division’s work program and introducing changes where necessary to ensure that work objectives are met.
• Plan, manage, organize and undertake activities relating to the conduct of research on Microeconomics, Institutional and Development Impacts in accordance with the 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;
  • Lead analysis to support Bank’s operations through the ex-ante assessment of Additionality and Development Outcome Assessment (ADOA) and Impact Evaluation exercises;
  • Lead any revisions of the ADOA Framework on the basis of implementation experience and lessons learned from other Development Finance Institutions (DFIs);
  • 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, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to undertake collaborative research programs where feasible, and to exchange data sets;
  • Assist the Chief Economist’s office in advising the President and Senior Management of the Bank on socio-economic, sustainable development and finance issues in Africa.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to staff in the Division and those in other complexes undertaking economic and sector focusing on microeconomics, institutions and development impact.
  • Manage human and financial resources to ensure that the Division core activities are not constrained.
  • Establish effective collaboration with other Bank units, international agencies as well as with bilateral development partners in seeking solutions to Africa’s development
• People and Talent Management:
  • Ensure the division has the appropriate skills-mix at any time 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 department, 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 such papers will be presented
• Performs other tasks as requested by the Director and senior management

Selection Criteria

• At least a Ph.D Degree in Economics, Finance, or related discipline.
• 8 years’ experience in on microeconomic issues related to development finance, infrastructure development, private sector development, industrial organizations, governance, competitiveness & investment climate, agriculture, institutions, and regional integration, project analysis and/or monitoring and evaluation, or sector operations.
• 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).
• 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 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.