Chief Trade Finance Officer - NEPAD, Regional integration and Trade

• Grade: PL3
• Position N°: NA
• Reference: ADB/12/062
• Publication date: 03/04/2012
• Closing date: 29/04/2012

Objectives

The objective of the Regional Integration and Trade Division is to implement activities that support regulatory and policy reforms and institutional capacity development to ensure movement of goods and services across borders to facilitate Africa’s economic integration and global trade. The division’s priority focus areas include: a) trade facilitation and services, b) trade policy and investment attraction, c) trade finance, and d) monetary and financial integration.

In January 2009, the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched the Trade Finance Initiative (TFI) aimed at supporting African commercial banks and development finance institutions (DFIs) to use the Bank’s resources to support and boost trade finance operations. The Trade Finance Team in the Bank is led by the Private Sector and Micro Finance Department (OPSM) which is responsible for the financial aspects of trade finance, ONRI.2 division handles the trade facilitation related aspects of trade finance, and the Research Department (EDRE) which is responsible for knowledge management. The Chief Trade Finance Officer will take the lead in designing an enhanced set of non-operational/financing and trade facilitation aspects and targets to enable the Bank to play a meaningful role in promoting trade finance transactions, intra-regional and international trade. S/he is also expected to examine the Trade Finance Facilitation Programs (TFFP) established by sister institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Asian Development Bank (AsDB) and the other regional Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) for relevant lessons and proposals. Within the Bank, the candidate is expected to provide technical support to the Department’s Aid-for-trade and Trade Facilitation programs as well as to other departments involved in the Trade Finance Initiative.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Division Manager Regional Integration and Trade, and in collaboration with other staff of the division, the Chief Trade Finance Officer shall perform the following duties:

• Lead the division’s work on non-financial aspects of trade finance and align them with institutional objectives to ensure the programme’s future expansion in support of the Bank’s trade finance products.
• Establish a working relationship with OPSM and EDRE in the delivery of the Bank’s trade finance programme;
• Develop non-financial aspects that will support the Bank’s Trade finance program and facilitate exports and trade
• Support SMEs to access trade finance products provided by the Bank by developing capacity development and training programmes;
• Develop a programme of capacity building needs of African Financial Institutions, especially emerging banks and DFIs, to create the platform necessary for the provision of trade finance solutions to their clients and to meet the Basle reporting requirements;
• Represent the Bank at the WTO’s trade finance and related Aid for Trade fora.
• Support Information Access and Dissemination by collecting data in collaboration with the Bank’s Statistics Department;
• Provide technical and advisory services to Regional Member Countries (RMCs), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the private and financial sectors;
• Build partnerships and coalitions within and outside the Bank;
• Participate in knowledge sharing and learning activities on Trade Finance, and contribute to dissemination activities, conferences, workshops and learning programs;
• Provide support to other duties as assigned by the Division Manager ONRI.2.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Economics, International Trade/Relations, or related international development fields,
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience on issues related to trade policies, trade finance related transactions, and regional integration; Operational experience in Africa will be an advantage.
• Strong client orientation with commitment to results on the ground;
• Proven ability to conduct research, analyse and produce reports. Publications on topics related to trade finance, facilitation and regional integration would be an added advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate ideas effectively.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader and team member,
• Excellent computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Language skills: proficiency in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other. Proficiency in the two working languages of the Bank will be an advantage.

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To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.

• Submitted by: Mohamed YOUSSOUF Division Manager, CHRM.1
• Approved by: Gemina ARCHER-DAVIES Director, CHRM

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 an online application, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV). The AfDB President 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: www.afdb.org/jobs