Established in 1964, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 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 (2023 – 2032) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s), 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 Vice Presidency for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization is central to the Bank’s mission of developing the private sector, improving infrastructure and accelerating industrialization. The complex main functions are to (i) strengthen the enabling environment for private sector [and financial sector] development conducive to inclusive growth and sustainable development, (ii) support the development of reliable and sustainable infrastructure, including cities and urban development, and (iii) place renewed emphasis on industrial and trade performance in support of structural transformation across Africa. The Complex leverages knowledge, co-financing, and partnerships to attract private capital and work with governments on delivering the Bank’s development agenda.
THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:
The primary role of the Financial Sector Development Department (PIFD) is to help the Regional Member Countries (RMCs) increase the reach, depth, and breadth of their financial systems, while safeguarding financial stability. The Department has four long-term objectives : (i) development of a vibrant private sector through inclusive access by households and enterprises to financial services; (ii) strengthening market participants; (iii) developing efficient capital markets, and (iv) deepening regional financial integration.
Together with other Industrialization, Infrastructure and Private Sector Complex departments, PIFD is responsible for implementing the Bank Group’s Financial Sector Development Policy and Strategy towards vibrant, innovative, robust and competitive financial systems, both national and regional, and in both the public and private sector levels of RMCs. PIFD plays a transversal role across the Bank’s five strategic priorities, applying its financial deepening and access tool kit to the High Five (H5) agenda. Fundamentally, the scalability and policy momentum inherent in the H5 agenda create an important opportunity for expanded relevance of the PIFD core skillset : flexible financing instruments and delivery frameworks for financial inclusion, smart resource mobilization and capital markets development. PIFD leverages partnerships to bring about greater development impact in Africa’s financial sector.
THE HIRING DIVISION:
The Trade Finance Division (PIFD3) oversees all the trade finance activities of the Bank. The Division seeks to address the trade finance gap in Africa by providing guarantees and liquidity support to commercial and development finance Banks involved in trade finance, Corporates, as well as various economic actors including parastatals engaged in this critical sector, with the objective of broadening access to affordable financing in RMCs. The division leads project teams that identify, appraise and process trade finance related projects until first disbursement of loans or effectiveness of guarantees, at which point primary responsibility, is passed to the portfolio management team (for loans and lines of credit) or to the trade finance middle/back office team (for guarantees) depending on the specific product. The division also implements technical assistance and non-transactional programs in these areas.
THE POSITION:
The Chief Trade Finance Officer contributes to sustainable development of the Bank’s trade finance business in Africa. He/she is responsible for leading the origination, appraisal and approval of trade finance projects in Africa. This includes promoting and showcasing the Bank’s development impact achievements in trade finance in Africa and projecting the Bank’s image as a leader in trade finance through representation in various fora, publications, and networking with key stakeholders. The job involves working closely with colleagues from other departments of the Bank either as members of a project team or in the disbursement of loans. The job also requires closer collaboration with colleagues in the country offices/regional centres and at headquarters.
KEY FUNCTIONS:
Under the overall supervision of the Trade Finance Division Manager and in close collaboration with other colleagues, the Chief Trade Finance Officer will perform the following functions:
Business Origination and Pipeline Development
- Lead project identification missions and the preliminary evaluation of project proposals to assess their feasibility for financial assistance and/or technical support by the Bank. This involves the initial screening of project applications, carrying out of desk reviews, preparing preliminary evaluation notes for presentation to the regional management team to determine a project’s suitability for inclusion in the pipeline.
- Coordinate and undertake project due diligence missions.
- Lead and supervise the preparation of project appraisal reports, including various financial and risk analysis, development outcome analysis, and strategic alignment analysis for presentation to the various review committees and finally to the Board of Directors for approval.
- Lead discussions and negotiations with financial institutions, trade funds, commodity corporates and other potential partners originate new projects and foster business relationships with the Bank.
- Negotiate loan pricing of projects with clients while ensuring compliance with the Bank’s pricing guidelines and other prudential limits.
- Contribute to the planning of various initiatives designed to facilitate interaction with other AfDB departments, country offices, regional centres and external partner institutions.
- Participate in the preparation of annual work program/budget of the team.
- Identify and develop best practices in trade finance project origination.
- Work collaboratively with the ‘ecosystem’ both in the region and at headquarters to ensure timely and effective delivery of business objectives. This would involve active consultation and communication through personal action and active follow up where necessary.
- Undertake seamless handover of lending projects to the portfolio management team after first disbursement or guarantee facilities upon reaching effectiveness in line with the Bank’s guidelines and procedures.
- Provide timely and excellent support to ex-post project evaluation activities of the Bank.
- Ensure compliance of projects with Integrity Due Diligence (IDD) requirements including anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing (AML/ATF) guidelines and Environment and Social Safeguards Systems.
Partnerships and strategic alliances
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Confirming Banks, Issuing Banks, regional Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), sister Multilateral Development Banks and international trade-oriented organisations among others on Trade Finance issues and market developments.
Teamwork and Staff Engagement
- Promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across organizational units. Maintain closer collaboration with other Trade Finance Investment Officers and Trade Finance Middle/Back Office team to share lessons learnt on a going basis. Develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues in other Divisions such as legal, credit risk, finance, E&S, economic research and compliance.
- Maintain a high standard of professional integrity and trust. Treat individuals fairly and respectfully; and be sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities and gender.
- As one of the most senior members of the Trade Finance Division, the Chief Trade Finance Officer would oversee the work of other investment officers, coordinate the business origination activities of the Division, and serve as a mentor and role model to junior staff.
Corporate Communication and External Engagements
- Communicate effectively with staff and management through the preparation of high-quality information notes, presentations and analytical reports on the trade finance sector.
- Represent the Trade Finance Division and Bank at key trade finance meetings.
COMPETENCIES (including desirable skills, knowledge and experience):
- At least a Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Economics or related discipline. Certification in Trade Finance or Credit Analysis will be an advantage.
- Minimum 7 years relevant experience in commercial banking and/or development banking in areas such as trade finance, corporate finance and financial analysis, with in-depth knowledge of best practices in structuring trade and commodity finance facilities.
- Demonstrated experience in the preparation of project appraisal reports, business credit applications or similar credit analysis reports.
- Strong client relationship management experience in commercial banking, investment banking or development banking in Africa.
- Excellent financial/credit analysis skills and sound knowledge of trade finance products.
- Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills with potential to take on higher roles in the Bank.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals and practices of development financial institutions.
- Strong presentation, negotiation and influencing skills that yield positive outcomes in complex stakeholder engagements with senior internal and external counterparts.
- Excellent writing and verbal skills in English and/or French with good working knowledge of the other.
- Good working knowing knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) and SAP.
THIS POSITION ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT