Chief Macroeconomist - African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Jobs

Position Title: Chief Macroeconomist

Grade: PL-3

Reference: ADB/10/025

Closing date: 12/04/2010

Objectives

The main objective of the Department of Governance, Economic and Financial Management, which was established in 2006, is to provide support to


regional member countries (RMCs) in the areas of governance, economic and financial management.

The Department’s work will be guided by the Governance Strategic Orientations and Action Plan approved in 2008.

The Economic and Financial Management Division (OSGE.2) is specifically responsible for planning, identifying, proposing and following up Bank operations in RMCs in the areas of economic management and financial sector consolidation and development, in order to support RMCs in strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and in creating an enabling environment for private sector development.

The Division pursues these objectives by using sector analytical work to strengthen knowledge on the challenges of macro-economic and financial management, improvement of the business environment and financial sector strengthening.

The Division is responsible for designing, preparing, appraising and implementing reform programs using various instruments (budgetary support, balance of payments support and institution/capacity building projects) in collaboration with of other Bank departments.

It engages dialogue with RMC governments on assistance and reform needs and coordinates its activities with other development partners in its areas of responsibility.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Division Manager, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:
  • Prepare and manage an active and complex portfolio of project/programs (from identification to completion) of policy based operations ( budget support operations, balance of payments support program) as well as institutional support projects in the area of Governance, and economic management to ensure timely implementation according to agreed objectives;
  • Provide expert advice and contribute to the preparation of Economic and Financial Assessment Programs/Plan and other upstream analytical and diagnostic work to inform Country Strategy papers (CSP) and Regional integration strategy (RISP) ; provide guidance to Country/Regional departments on policy dialogue with RMCs relating to economic and financial reform programs and related issues (economic and financial governance, creating an enabling environment for the private sector, strengthening regional cooperation and economic integration); interact with Country Economists in CSP/RASP implementation, mid-term review and completion reports with due attention to economic and financial reforms; and provide back-up to country offices to ensure provision of quality advisory service to RMCs;
  • Lead, organize, coordinate and/or oversee the identification, appraisal, supervision missions and ex-post reviews of Bank operations focusing on economic and financial management, involving RMCs’ governments, other development partners and concerned parties or other stakeholders;
  • Promote
  1. Sector knowledge building and dissemination in the area of economic and financial management and private sector environment within and outside the Bank, including establishing and managing networks relevant to issues related to its areas of responsibility;
  2. New approaches, procedures and techniques to improve the Division operational activities formulation and implementation and lead dialogue with relevant Divisions/Departments on these issues;
  • Participate with other development partners in public expenditure reviews (PER), public expenditure and financial accountability reviews (PEFA); and ensure that operations meet quality and compliance with Bank’s rules and procedures, international standards as well as Paris declaration requirement issues.
  • Lead, coordinate and/or participate in the preparation of policy statements, papers, briefs and various reports on economic and financial governance issues and other areas relevant to the Economic and Financial management Division;
  • Provide assistance to RMCs in understanding and applying the Bank Group’s policies and procedures relating to assistance to the Economic and financial sectors as well as on other issues related to project or program implementation, including policy issues;
  • Participate to the preparation of the Department budget and recruitment of research assistants and consultants;
  • Participate in the Quality control of documents prepared by the division and advice junior staff in projects/programs designing, launching and managing;
  • Carry out any other duties pertinent to the work of the Division, assigned by the Division Manager or the Director.
Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience
  • At least a Master’s degree in Economics (preferably Macroeconomics/Econometrics) or a related development field.
  • Preferably a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in macroeconomic analysis and Public Finance, other main development partners’ policy and practices and public finance with solid analytical and conceptual abilities, preferably gained with a development oriented institution.
  • Client and results oriented individual, with strong analytical and communication (both verbally and in writing) skills, sense of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Ability to deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues.
  • Capacity to work in a team and set work program priorities;
  • Aptitude to design intervention strategies, apply innovatory approaches and change working methods while remaining effective in a changing work environment;
  • Competence with standard Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with SAP recommended;.
  • Excellent written and spoken communication in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are being considered for interview will be contacted.

Applicants will only be considered if they submit (preferably electronically, to: recruit @ afdb.org, a fully completed Personal History Form (PHF), available from the Bank’s web site, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating date of birth and nationality.

The President, ADB, reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level.

The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.