Regional Economist - Country & Regional Programs & Policy

• Regional Economist - Country & Regional Programs & Policy (Based in Regional Resource Center Kenya)
• Grade: PL-2
• Position N°: NA
• Reference: ADB/2012/022
• Publication date: 08/02/2012
• Closing date: 10/03/2012

Objectives

The Regional Departments of the Bank are responsible for the coordination of all programming activities to ensure regional and country focus in Bank Group operations. They serve as the focal point for Bank Group operations in regional member countries (RMCs) and are also responsible for the continued enhancement of the Bank’s visibility and operations effectiveness at country and regional levels. A key transformation of the Regional Departments is the increased emphasis on rigorous analytical work and knowledge services, including Economic Sector Work, Policy Notes, and other advisory products. These are designed to deepen our country knowledge, strategies, policies, lending and other country services.

In the Bank’s Operations Complex Country & Regional Programs & Policy (ORVP), the East Africa Regional Resource Center (EARC) is seeking to recruit Regional Economists. The Regional Economists will provide strategic advice to the Regional Departments and lead the economic dialogue with the regional member countries, development partners, and other stakeholders. S/he would also lead in defining lending programs and Analytic and Advisory Services. S/he will be expected to provide intellectual leadership and quality assurance for the country and regional teams. The regional Economist will also have limited administrative duties, including acting.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the leadership of the Directors for the regions, the Regional Economist will:

• Provide strategic advice to the regional director and lead the economic dialogue with the regional member countries, development partners and other stakeholders;
• Lead the development of a pipeline of economic and sector work in coordination with country economists and regional/sector departments;
• Plan lending operations and Analytic and Advisory Activities and provide intellectual leadership and quality assurance for the country and regional teams; oversee the preparation of Country Strategy Papers (CSP).
• Ensure the integration of key Bank thematic areas (inclusive growth and poverty reduction, governance, infrastructure, fragile states, regional integration, higher education, and gender) in the country work program and multi-sector approaches;
• Guide the broader country team to enhance the rigor of advice on cross- cutting and sectoral issues in support of the growth and poverty reduction;
• Actively promote dialogue and close working relationships with other multilateral partners including the IMF, World Bank, regional economic communities, and the development partners in regional member countries, as well as with the private sector and civil society.
• Ensure that the Department’s interventions are compatible with the Bank’s commitments under the Paris Declaration, the Accra Agenda for Action, and other high-level agreements on harmonization and management for results;
• Ensure that the Department is linked to knowledge sharing networks and is fully appraised of good, innovative theory and practice in development economics, organizing meetings and inviting speakers for brown-bag lunches and seminars as appropriate;
• Represent the Department (and Bank) at key economic meetings and on important missions when requested to do so by the Director or senior management;;Serve as focal point on economic issues to external/internal constituencies and expert economic groups
• As part of the EARC Leadership Team contribute to the overall performance of the region’s operations and knowledge portfolio; assume leadership of the Resource Center in the absence of the Director.
• Provide a mentoring role for Country Economists, macro-economists and Young Professionals (YPs) who are periodically attached to the Department.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

The position requires a motivated and seasoned economist with strong analytical and interpersonal skills, significant leadership experience in operational and analytic support to the client drawing on diverse teams, and a commitment to the agenda reflected in the Bank’s Medium-Term Strategy. In addition the Regional Economist shall have:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree or its university equivalent in Economics and a sound knowledge of socio-economic development issues in Africa;
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience;
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conducting policy dialogue on economic issues with senior government officials, the private sector, donor representatives and civil society;
• Strong analytical skills and proven capacity to produce and manage knowledge products in a multisector context;
• Proven ability to lead, work in teams, mentor staff, inspire staff commitment to technical excellence and teamwork, and resolve conflicts constructively;
• Proven ability to gain the trust and respect of country counterparts, while maintaining objectivity and clear focus on the Bank's mission;
• Ability to build partnerships and deliver results in a timely fashion that meet the needs and long-term interest of clients within and outside the institution;
• Ability to enhance the quality of Bank products through early guidance, constructive feedback, encouraging innovation and risk taking, and establishing links with other networks and relevant partners;
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills to be an effective Bank spokesperson in a range of fora;
• Ability to communicate effectively in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.

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Regional Economist - Country & Regional Programs & Policy (Based in Regional Resource Center Kenya) (152 KB)

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

• Submitted by: Youssouf, Mohamed Division Manager, CHRM 1
• Approved by: Archer-Davies, Gemina Oluremi 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