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 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering 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, namely: energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.
THE COMPLEX
The core mandate of the Vice Presidency (ECVP) is to lead the Bank Group on prioritizing the generation, analysis, dissemination, brokering and implementation of relevant knowledge solutions in all High-5 operational priorities and the cross-cutting themes of its Ten-Year Strategy. Such solutions must be a clear response to priority development challenges facing regional member countries (RMCs), individually or collectively and need to involve RMCs in both the planning and implementation of the solutions. The solutions include: (i) research on major development issues facing Africa and their relation to global economic governance and other major global public goods; (ii) country diagnostics and future perspectives; (iii) policy dialogue and advisory services; (iv) economic, sector, and thematic knowledge work; (v) improving national and sub-regional statistical systems; (vi) preparation, design and support to implementation of public financial management and Governance operations; (vii) capacity development for policy formulation and implementation; (viii) technical assistance and advice related to RMCs’ management of natural resources; and (vii) knowledge dissemination and development of national, regional, and inter regional knowledge networks.
THE HIRING DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:
The mandate of the Country Economics Department is to position the Bank at the center of socio-economic knowledge-led Country and Regional strategies, policy dialogues and operations through (i) Strategy Documents: leading and contributing to the production of Country and Regional Strategy documents, including the Country Strategy Papers, Regional Integration Strategy Papers, Country Diagnostic Notes, and Regional Diagnostic Notes to inform country lending programs, (ii) Regional and Country Economic Reports: produces the Regional Economic Outlooks Reports, the Country Focus Reports, and the African Economic Outlook Country Notes to update on the economic, political and social developments in the country, (iii) Policy Dialogue: The department plays a key role in Country/Regional policy dialogues and in the Bank’s collaboration with other Development partners, including participation in Country Thematic Groups in line with Paris Declaration on Aid effectiveness and Accra Plan of Action (iv) Economic and Sector Work: the Country Economics Department leads in the research and analysis of economic and sector issues at the country and regional levels to inform the design of Bank’s strategy and programs in the region and Regional Member Countries. The Country Economics Department is composed of two (2) divisions, each overseen by a Division Manager: The Country Economics Department Division 1 (ECCE.1), which covers Central, North, and West Africa, and the Country Economics Division 2 (ECCE.2), which covers Nigeria, Eastern and Southern Africa. The two (2) Division Managers report to the Director of the Country Economics Department.
THE POSITION
The Lead Economist is a key member of the Country Economics Department. Reporting substantially to Country Economics Department Division Managers and administratively to Regional Directors Generals, Lead Economists work in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including the Director of the Country Economics Department, Country Economists, ECVP’s management, Sector Complexes’ staff and management, and country/regional/global policymakers. The Lead Economist is responsible for coordinating the design and implementation of the Bank’s knowledge work program, with a focus on generation and dissemination of knowledge work, preparation of regional integration and country strategy papers and related products and supporting policy dialogues in the assigned countries, in collaboration with the Regional Director Generals and Country Managers. Under the Bank’s matrix system, the Lead Economist, who is a member of the Country Economics Department, has a solid reporting line to the Division Manager of the Country Economics Department and a dotted reporting line to Regional Directors Generals where they are based.
KEY FUNCTIONS
The Lead Economist will:
- Lead the preparation of knowledge products (Regional/Country Diagnostic Notes, Economic and Sector work, etc.) to inform the design of regional integration strategy papers (RISPs) and country strategy papers (CSPs), Country Briefs, and economic and sectoral policy dialogue/reforms in collaboration with the regional directorates generals, sector complexes and other stakeholders within and outside the Bank, and ensure quality control in the preparation of the RISPs, CSPs, Economic and Sector Work.
- Lead the production and dissemination of flagship reports (Regional Economic Outlook reports, Country Focused Reports, etc.) and Country Notes for the African Economic Outlook reports; and contribute to other Bank’s flagship reports and ensure quality control in the preparation of these products.
- Ensure the Bank is at the forefront of producing economic development knowledge and practice in support to the Regional Member Countries’ effective management of macroeconomic policy and key development challenges.
- Develop partnerships with the other knowledge departments within the Complex and in and outside the Bank and ensure that the highest level of knowledge is incorporated in the design of Bank strategies and operations.
- Ensure that the High-5s and knowledge-based solutions are adequately prioritized in country strategy papers and regional integration strategy papers in collaboration with the regional directorates general, sector complexes and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development and update of the Policy Reform Dialogue Matrix.
- Lead the application of economic research generated inside and outside of the Bank, to the development and review of economic policy solutions tailored to the specific circumstances of Regional Member Countries and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
- Coordinate the work of Country Economists in the Bank towards improved harmonization of approaches and standards of quality.
- Lead the production of country-relevant, timely, analytically sound, and reliable policy advice for Regional Member Countries and RECs.
- Monitor economic conditions and policies in Regional Member Countries and provide policymakers with well researched insights about developments in their economies.
- Provide advice and guidance on core Bank policies, strategies, and processes for greater Bank effectiveness.
- Foster the Bank’s position on high level strategic issues in relation to inclusive growth and sustainable development in regional member countries.
- Enhance the Bank’s comparative advantage and quality assurance in delivering its development goals to the Regional Member Countries and RECs.
- Support the economic and sector work transformation venture across the Bank, in coordination with other relevant Bank Units.
- Develop partnerships with sister institutions on high level economic development initiatives in support of the Regional Member Countries and RECs.
- Contribute to knowledge-based dialogue and outreach in the Regional Member Countries and RECs.
- Perform other duties assigned by the Department Director.
COMPETENCIES (skills, experience, and knowledge):
- A minimum of Master’s degree in Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Econometrics or Applied Economics; a PhD will be an advantage.
- A minimum of eight (8) years of experience gained on site in developing countries (preferably in Africa) in the preparation, coordination and implementation of country/regional strategies, non-lending (knowledge) programs, and of economic and sectoral policy advisory services.
- Strong planning and organizational skills, including a proven ability to think strategically, seeing the big picture without sacrificing the details, negotiation skills and team building skills, as well as a credible ability to influence and present ideas.
- Capacity to connect, understand and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to handle the high-level demands of a complex organization, including the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Proven experience in the coordination of multi-disciplinary teams (Economists; sector experts; etc.).
- A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant and rich professional experience in macroeconomic policy analysis and management, applied economics, research, gained within major international organizations. Experience in policy advisory work and exposure to development work or operations is strongly desirable.
- Track record of support in macroeconomic modelling and forecasting, including debt management issues in the Regional Member Countries is a strong requirement.
- Evidence of recent policy advisory work related to project and program operations of development in general is desirable, backed by development-related publications in international journals or other recognized outlets.
- Knowledge of public financial management and debt management issues in developing countries is an advantage.
- Excellent knowledge of the international development institutions’ policies, guidelines, and procedures.
- Proven experience in leading policy dialogue with the highest level of Government bodies in the Regional Member Countries.
- Proven experience in leading/preparing knowledge products and/or flagship reports (Regional/Country Diagnostic Notes/CSP and relevant documents/RISP/, Economic and Sector work, etc.).
- Demonstrated operational experience in a multilateral setting.
- Solid experience in knowledge and partnership leverage.
- Competence in the use of at least one standard econometric software for empirical analysis.
- Communicate and write effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
- Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications.
THIS POSITION IS CLASSIFIED INTERNATIONAL STATUS AND ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.