Principal Country Economist (Angola) - Country & Regional Programs & Policy Grade: PL-4

• Position N°: NA
• Reference: ADB/11/164
• Publication date: 06/10/2011
• Closing date: 07/11/2011

Objectives

The key work objectives of the Country Department include, among others:

• Developing and implementing the Country Assistance Strategy, and Regional Integration Strategy, making strategic choices, and developing partnerships with relevant stakeholders, for the overall implementation of the agreed program of activities and quality services;
• Leading the Bank's dialogue and maintaining strong partnerships with relevant public authorities, development partners, civil society, media, private sector and other stakeholders;
• Promoting the Bank as a knowledge Institution and key Adviser to the Government and coordinate the preparation and dissemination of key ESWs agreed upon with relevant stakeholders in alignment with the Bank’s priorities;
• Assuming responsibility for the outcomes identified in the country strategy prepared for client countries, in coordination with operations staff, sector technical staff and the country management team;
• Promoting and enhancing aid efficiency and effectiveness in countries covered by the Department by fostering the reduction of transaction costs, harmonization of aid arrangements and the use of country procedures and systems.
• Identifying opportunities and developing work programs and quality sectorial strategies, based on the Country Assistance Strategy and the Southern Africa Regional Integration Strategy, consistent with the demand of clients and taking into account country-specific contexts;
• Assisting the Country Program Officer in overseeing portfolio management and quality issues, collaborating with clients and country teams to address implementation problems and working to achieve sound results on the ground;
• Developing and maintaining good relations between the Bank and RMCs to ensure that the Bank is fully apprised of the needs of member countries and that the latter are, in turn, informed of the range of products and services available at the Bank;
• Steering dialogue with country authorities on economic policies, Sectorial, cross-cutting and governance issues for the evaluation of country performance and support for the effective implementation of the country's development strategy.
• Leading collaboration and Bank programs with the Regional Economic Communities and other regional and sub-regional organizations to support enhanced economic and pro-poor development through regional integration and other initiatives such as those designed to improve trade and infrastructure.

Duties and responsibilities

• Under the overall coordination of the Director and direct supervision of the Lead Economist of the Regional Department, the Principal Country Economist will focus on macroeconomic work to deepen country knowledge, preparation of Economic and Sector Work (ESW) and coordination of the Country Strategy Paper and other relevant documents (mid-term review, completion report, etc.).
• In the event that the macroeconomic work on a given country requires the services of more than one (1) economist, the Principal Country Economist is supported by other economists and sector specialists drawn from different Department across the Bank. The Principal Country Economist will be assigned to the Angola Field Office. He/she will work closely with the Resident Representative and report to the Country & Regional Director via the Lead Economist.
• The Principal Country Economist is the focal point in the Office for Public Finance Management, Budget Support, Private sector development and Governance or other related policy reforms being implemented in the country;
• The Principal Economist is assisted by a Senior Economist to whom he provides guidance, technical advices under a teamwork spirit;

Specific duties

• Analyse the economic and financial situations of Regional Member Countries (RMCs) assigned to him/her, using internal and external sources of information, and determine the impact on the programming and updating of the Bank Group's operations as defined in the Country Strategy Papers (CSP);
• Coordinate the preparation of Country Strategy Papers (CSP) and participate in the development of regional integration strategies (RISP), based on poverty reduction strategies, and/or the government's development programme and the integration strategies of the Regional Economic Communities concerned;
• Conduct relevant economic and sector work to support the preparation and implementation of CSPs and RISPs;
• Analyse the results and impact of the Bank Group's operations in the countries concerned and the results of regional economic integration programmes and make recommendations on the role of the Bank Group in supporting regional integration initiatives;
• Provide leadership to the country team and establish effective communication with the sector departments and other relevant units of the Bank, to ensure a coordinated approach to the implementation of the Bank's strategy and operations in Angola and in any other country that could be assigned to him/her;
• Provide technical support to the Resident Representative and the Director in policy dialogue with the Government, development partners and other stakeholders, including active participation in the design and implementation of operations to support multi-sector or sector reforms, and Thematic Groups, in collaboration with relevant sector departments;
• Assist the Resident Representative in coordination activities with the assistance of development partners, focusing on the promotion of project and programme co-financing;
• Ensure coordination and play the role of spokesperson on economic issues;
• Support the Country Programme Officer (CPO) in implementing the Bank's operations portfolio in Angola and any other country that may be assigned to him/her, as well as in regional projects implemented by Regional Economic Communities, in collaboration with sector departments;
• Participate in country portfolio reviews;
• Design and establish high-level client relationships, and promote the creation of new avenues for cooperation between the Bank and the country;
• Provide technical and practical advice and guidance to senior country economists to improve the quality of their work;
• Participate in the development of new approaches, procedures and techniques to improve the quality of projects and programmes in support of sector departments;
• Participate in preparing the department's budget and the recruitment of consultants;
• Prepare clear briefs on the economic and political situation and the implementation of the Bank's intervention strategy in the country; and
• Perform all other activities assigned by the Resident Representative in consultation with the Regional Director.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics; a PH-D degree could be an advantage;;
• At least six (6) years of relevant working experience in a development institution;
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English and/or in French with a working knowledge of the other language;
• Understanding and Communicating in Portuguese would be an advantage;
• Knowledge of ICT and software used in the Bank.
• Experience in working with teams of economists and creating a supportive work environment
• Ability to communicate and defend, orally and in writing, difficult issues and positions (in a hostile environment, as required) before the Bank's Senior Management and government officials;
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix management environment, both as team leader and team member;
• Ability to work conscientiously in a multicultural environment and establish effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.

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