Job Vacancies at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), 23rd July, 2019

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - 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. We are recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: Principal Investment Officer - Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism Reference: ADB/19/145 Location: Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire Grade: PL4 Position N°: 50100762 The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency for ‘Agriculture, Human, and Social Development’ is a Sector Complex focusing on two of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy 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 pools of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) the Vice President will act as the spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.

• In 2006, at the Abuja African Green Revolution summit, the African Union Member States, conceived the “African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism” (AFFM), an initiative to improve agricultural productivity by providing finance to debottleneck the use of fertilizers. The Summit charged the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the responsibility to establishing and manage the AFFM.
• The specific objective of the AFFM is to increase fertilizer use in Africa from its current average of about 17 kg per ha to 50 kilogram per hectare, so as to boost agricultural productivity.
• In order to respond to actual financing needs of the fertilizer value chain, AFFM adopted its “Strategy” which has identified two key intervention areas: (i) support the provision of credit guarantees and other financial solutions along the fertilizer supply chain; (ii) support policy advocacy and targeted technical assistance to governments committed to addressing key obstacles to fertilizer supply chain growth and efficiency.
• In this regard, AFFM needs collaboration with AfDB, other development financial institutions, commercial banks and private sector actors in the fertilizer value chain to issue the credit guarantee and develop other financial products that meet fertilizer sector financial needs.

• The AFFM Principal Investment Officer will work under the day-to-day supervision of the Coordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM).
• As part of AFFM secretariat, the team will be supported by relevant Bank Divisions for the development of programs of activities at the Bank’s headquarters and to facilitate the implementation of AFFM’s field programmes and allied initiatives at the country level.
• His/her performance reporting will be to the Coordinator of AFFM.

• Contribute in the development and implementation of the AFFM Work programs, by managing all investment-related interventions in the countries, and provide technical advices during the programme implementation.
• Work closely with the Bank’s private sector and financial inclusion departments to partner with relevant financial and non-financial institutions for the development and structuring of fertilizer financing deals for new entrants or existing actors in the fertilizer sector;
• Drive new business development and resource mobilization for fertilizer sector financing with relevant departments of the Bank as well as sovereign, multilateral, bilateral, financial institution and private sector partners;
• Mobilize innovative initiatives to close financing gaps for the development of major fertilizer operations by promoting innovative financial products, and  mobilizing new sources of financing;
• Establish synergies between the Bank’s various initiatives in the fertilizer sector with the Bank’s strategies and programs;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant partners in the area of fertilizer businesses, banking, with private sector and government officials to further develop the sector and to develop specific investment opportunities.
• Formulate alliance strategies with actors along innovative fertilizer financing, service delivery with a particular focus on public private partnerships (at the country and continent level) to engage stakeholders in alignment of sustainable development goals;
• Analyze the constraints and opportunities related to fertilizer investment options with emphasis on the functionality of fertilizer industry, support services, trade policies, market institutions and organizations, risk management systems and private sector engagement.
• Support fertilizer value chain strengthening through structured finance in syndicate deals with commercial banks and other creditors (fertilizer finance and innovative fertilizer financing schemes).
• Actively involved in all the activities of projects development cycle, as task manager (identification, preparation and appraisal), follow up with different departments for project approval process, and work with legal department to ensure that all projects have appropriate legal documentation.
• Monitor project implementation by recipients, provide required technical assistance and follow up project periodic reporting;
• Contribute towards building a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities for the AFFM operations particularly identifying entry points for private investments in public sector transactions.
• Working with the Agricultural Finance and Rural Development units, understand the landscape of various guarantee schemes or risk sharing facilities utilized to finance fertilizer supply chains and agro-dealer networks around the continent, their advantages, achievements, challenges, and weaknesses;
• Enhance project implementation quality, timeliness and integrity through developing and implementing result based performance monitoring and evaluation systems and reporting activities to enable transparent assessment of AFFM financing outcomes and impacts, for both internal and external audience.
• Collaborate with other AFFM team and Banks’ Units in reviewing the operations performance, preparing completion reports, etc., so as to ensure that the lessons drawn from the implementation of past operations are taken into account in new projects.
• Undertake any other assignment relevant to the successful implementation and performance of the AFFM.

• Hold at least a Masters’ degree in Finance, Banking, Business Administration, Agri-business or related areas;
• Have a minimum of six (6) years of investment finance experience, with track record in investment structuring and project finance. Have a strong understanding of the agriculture financing in Africa, good command of undertaking comprehensive due diligence, including financial and economic analysis of clients (financial institutions, medium and larger enterprises
• Good working experience with, or working knowledge of, multilateral or bilateral development agencies;
• Experience of Multi-lateral development banks (or similar financing institutions) and their operations in terms of private and/or public sector project development and implementation process.
• Experience with a broad range of financing and implementation modalities including but not limited to budget support, loans, equity, partial credit risk guarantees, and results-based finance.
• Very good understanding of Finance and business, especially fertilizer value chain or agriculture financing;
• Recognized ability to identify and articulate finance, corporate finance and project finance issues and to provide sound advice;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, and to prepare, analyze, review and disseminate knowledge products with easy uptake and that add value in financing the fertilizer sector
• Client orientation - Anticipates and identifies client needs and business trends and proactively consults with them to deliver integrated, customized solutions;
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French. A working knowledge of the other will be an asset.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable
• Ability to work independently, to be creative and innovative.
• Demonstrated Integrity, dedication and ability to work in team.Ability to communicate orally and in writing effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SAP and/or other integrated document management system).

• The President, plans, supervises and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund.
• The President supervises several Departments and Units including Office of the President; Independent Development Evaluation Department; Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department; Compliance Review and Mediation Unit; Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board; Administrative Tribunal; Office of the Auditor General; Group Risk Management Directorate; General Counsel and Legal Services Department; Communication and External Relations Department; Staff Integrity and Ethics Office and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat.

• The role of the Banks' Office of the Secretary General and the General Secretariat is to facilitate the delivery of the objectives of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy, High 5s, and Development and Business Delivery Model by enhancing the decision-making process of the governance organs and forging better working relationships with the shareholders and host countries of the Bank. The Secretary General and the General Secretariat is comprised of:
  • The Immediate Office of the Secretary General which has the additional responsibility of managing the Records Management, Archives and Disclosure and Access to Information Section, the Corporate Governance Policy and Shareholder Relations Section and the Conference and Meetings Section;
  • A Board Affairs and Proceedings Division; and
  • A Protocol, Privileges and Immunities Division.

• The overall objective for this job is to provide secretariat services for the Boards of Governors, the Boards of Directors and the Committee Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE), including Drafting, Revising and Translating of reports of meetings while ensuring proper arrangement of Board of Directors and Governors meetings and their subsidiary organs are well conducted.

• Contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Boards of Directors and Boards of Governors and the CODE Committee by enhancing the decision-making process;
• Assist the CODE Chair in preparing and conducting the Committee meetings and advise on any relevant matters ;
• Prepare background papers, analyses and recommendations to be used by Committee Chairperson and members;
• Coordinate the activities of the CODE Committee and manage the relationship between Senior Management and members;
• Cover Committee meetings, analyse and determine the thrust of the discussions/deliberations and then synthesize, compose the main decisions and conclusions reached;
• Contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of Committee through research and submission of documents on issues under consideration;
• Populate the Board Dashboard and follow up on Committee recommendations;
• Ensure the coverage of relevant Boards of Governors meetings; analyse and determine the thrust of the discussions/deliberations and then synthesize, draft the main decisions and conclusions reached;
• Translate, when and as necessary, in the other working language of the Bank the synthesis and reports drafted.
• Carry out any other assignment required by service exigency

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent in Communication, Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Development Finance, Social Science and other related disciplines;
• Have a minimum of  six years (6) years of relevant professional experience in similar organizations with sound analytical aptitudes;
• Strong and proven translation skills with sound financial knowledge;
• Ability for work long and unusual hours to meet short deadlines since the timeliness of these documents is of crucial importance;
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage;
• High analytical and drafting skills; excellent skills in presenting written and verbal communication;
• Have the capacity to identify and meet the clients' needs within the framework of the established rules on the processing of reports prepared, and to identify appropriate solutions as well as alternatives when necessary;
• Have the ability to work quickly and under pressure; attention to details, resourcefulness;
• Competence in the use of standard software used in the Bank as well as translation software or machine aided translation;
• Capacity for multi-skilling and multi-tasking, Excellent interpersonal skills, strong communication skills;
• Ability for team work in a multicultural and diversified environment and a balanced judgment;
• Proof of discretion, tactfulness and flexibility, taking account of the clients served: the Board of Governors, Plenipotentiaries, the Board of Directors, and Senior Management;
• Competence in translation and writings, good at summarizing and synthetizing;
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other;
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, Access and Power Point); knowledge of SAP (or other integrated document management system or quantitative and qualitative data analysis packages) is an added advantage.

• To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.
• Applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are considered for interview will be contacted. Only online applications submitted with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of the required degrees will be considered. The President, AfDB, 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.
• The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) 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.