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Head of Unit Fragile States - Fragile States Unit (OSFU)

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  • Position title: Head of Unit Fragile States - Fragile States Unit (OSFU)
  • Grade: PL-1
  • Position N°: NA
  • Reference: ADB/12/184
  • Publication date: 09/07/2012
  • Closing date: 25/07/2012

Objectives

The Fragile States Unit (OSFU) was established in July 2008. The operational mandate and responsibilities of the OSFU aims at enabling the Bank to i) more effectively and efficiently assist in the recovery and development efforts of the fragile and conflict-affected regional member states of the Bank (hereafter, fragile states (FS)); and ii) providing support to regional member countries that are at risk of slipping into fragility and/or conflict. The OSFU further co-ordinates the Bank-wide implementation of the Bank’s enhanced program of assistance to fragile states and administers the Fragile States Facility (FSF), which is an operationally autonomous, special purpose financing entity within the Bank Group that was established in March 2008 with three grant financing windows. Africa’s fragile and conflict-affected countries constitute a critical development challenge for the global efforts to reduce poverty and attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They also generate negative spillover effects to neighboring countries, sub-regions and the wider international community. The Bank’s experience, in this context, is that effective and sustainable recovery and development in such situations requires operational approaches and support that differ from those applied in stable low or middle income African countries.

Duties and responsibilities

Amongst other issues, the Head, Fragile States Unit should therefore:

  • Manage effectively the FSF and implement, in a timely manner, the arrears clearance and debt relief programs of the Bank in close coordination and collaboration with the Bretton Woods Institutions and in partnership with the Regional Departments and the Finance Vice Presidency of the Bank;
  • Manage the FSF-supported human and institutional capacity development programs and facilitate learning among the Technical Assistants (TA) seconded to various FS;
  • Contribute to improved collaboration and coordination with the First Vice-Presidency, Chief Operating Office, Regional and Sector Vice Presidencies and the Office of the Chief Economist, in implementing the yearly work program of the OSFU and in identifying, preparing and disseminating the Bank’s Economic and Sector Work on fragility and conflict;
  • Work closely with the Regional Vice Presidency (ORVP) and the Operations Policy and Compliance Department (ORPC) to actively contribute to the preparation and dissemination of policies, guidelines and procedures on selected operational issues required for the implementation of the Bank’s program of assistance to FS;
  • Assist in mobilizing resources for the three-windows of the FSF from Members States of the African Development Fund (ADF), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and from other sources, including Trust Funds within the AfDB, and from bilateral aid agencies;
  • Work closely with partners in mainstreaming emerging best practices, policies and procedures for effectively and efficiently delivering development assistance to FS and in implementing the Development Assistance Committee’s (DAC) Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile Situations in Africa, which constitute an integral component of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.
  • Collaborate closely with other Multi-lateral Development Banks, the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programs and other regional and non-regional organizations and aid agencies (including bilateral) in supporting the recovery and development efforts of the FS Regional Member States and in improving aid and development effectiveness in FS.
  • Oversee the preparation of quality policy documents for the Bank’s Senior Management, Board of Directors and shareholders of the African Development Bank/Fund on issues of fragility and conflict;
  • Operationalize agreed policies and procedures in support of fragile regional member states, as well as interpreting and recommending exceptions or modifications to a wide range of guidelines that apply specifically to operations in FS;
  • Manage the Fragile States Facility (FSF); and lead a pool of highly qualified, talented and motivated multi-disciplinary team working in seventeen (17) fragile situations in in Africa.

Following from the above, the specific duties and tasks of the Head, OSFU include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Plan and prepare the annual work program of the OSFU, including its objectives and budget and oversee the execution of the administrative supervisory tasks, including staff annual performance evaluations;
  • Implement the OSFU annual work program as appropriate and report periodically on the status and results of the annual work program to the Vice President, Sector Operations;
  • Allocate the OSFU’s administrative budget to its operational activities, and manage, monitor and report on resource utilization;
  • Manage effectively the 3-windowed, grant supported FSF and allocate resources to beneficiary countries based on guidelines provided by Senior Management, the Board of Directors and/or the ADF Deputies;
  • Work closely with the Bretton Woods Institutions and assist Regional Departments in implementing the Bank’s arrears clearance operations to beneficiary countries and follow up on their eligibility for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI);
  • Provide intellectual and advisory support to Regional and Sector Departments working in FS, particularly with respect to the preparation of the Bank’s programming documents for FSF-beneficiary countries and follow up on the preparation of appraisal, supervision and project completion reports for all operations funded by more than UA 1.0 million from the FSF;
  • Contribute actively to the preparation and the dissemination of policies, guidelines and procedures on selected operational issues that might constrain the smooth implementation of the Bank’s program of enhanced engagement in fragile states;
  • Provide leadership and intellectual inputs into the Bank’s Economic and Sector Work (ESW) programs aimed at deepening the understanding of the root causes, consequences and possible measures of alleviating state fragility and conflicts in Africa.
  • Plan, prepare and implement a resource mobilization strategy for the various windows of the FSF and periodically support the ADF replenishment negotiations in close partnership with the Operational Policies and Compliance Department (ORPC) and report to the Vice President, Sector Operations on the results achieved; and
  • Work to strengthening coordination, partnership, policy coherence and harmonization of the Bank’s work with that of partner institutions and agencies working in fragile states in Africa.
  • Follow up closely on international debates and issues of fragility and conflict, including those by the OECD-DAC High Level Forums on Aid and Development Effectiveness and ensure effective Bank’s participation and contribution.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

  • At least a Master’s degree in economics, political and/or other social sciences or related disciplines;
  • Must have sound knowledge of the development challenges posed by Africa’s fragile and conflict-affected countries, and should have demonstrated operational work experience in support of the recovery and development efforts of fragile states;
  • Must also have gained sound experience in applying political economic analysis, the design, implementation and monitoring of macroeconomic stabilization programs, as well as using peace-building and state-building objectives in developing result-oriented country specific program of recovery and/or assistance;
  • Preferably a minimum of 9 (nine) years of relevant and progressive experience in fragile and conflict-affected situations in Africa, of which 3-4 years of a managerial role
  • Considerable experience in designing and implementing Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSs), related development programs of African countries, and the national as well global MDG agenda; experiences with work on multilateral institutions will be an advantage;
  • Proven leadership and team leading skills; results oriented and ability to work in multi-cultural environment;
  • Demonstrable understanding of Africa’s economic and development challenges, sub-regional and regional development issues, analysis and policy formulation; knowledge of the practices of major bilateral and multilateral partner development agencies in African countries is an added advantage.
  • Ability to apply innovative approaches; ability to work in teams, to analyze and summarize; good interpersonal, communication and project management skills; demonstrated attention to detail, emphasis on results.
  • Ability to communicate and write effectively in English or French with good working knowledge of the other language.
  • Highly competent in the use of standard software applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, SAP, etc.

Document download

Head of Unit Fragile States - Fragile States Unit (OSFU) (102 KB)

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

  • Submitted by: Harold Akingbade-Taylor, OIC 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

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