Devex Talent Solutions is assisting the African Development Bank (AfDB) in their search for a Director, African Development Institute (ECAD) to be based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
BACKGROUND
The African Development Institute coordinates and oversees Capacity Development in the Bank Group and the Bank’s capacity development interventions (training, technical assistance and policy dialogue) in the Regional Member Countries (RMCs) for enhanced development effectiveness in the RMCs. The Departments leads the Bank’s implementation of several flagship initiatives including the Public Finance Management Academy (PFMA), Executive Training on Macro-economic Policy Management in Africa (MEMA), the Bank’s Global Community of Practice (G-CoP) Dialogue; the Kofi A. Annan Eminent Speakers Lecture Series (ESLS); the Public Service delivery Index for Africa (PSDI) among others. The Department comprises of three Divisions – (i) Program Management Division (ECAD.1); Policy Management Division (ECAD.2); and (iii) Knowledge Management and Information services Division (ECAD.3), each lead by a manager who reports to the Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of the African Development Institute will be responsible for shaping, coordinating, and overseeing the Bank’s agenda and delivery of Capacity Development to its clients. He/she will design and implement the Bank’s Capacity Development Strategies and policies for accelerated development effectiveness of the Bank’s Operations in the RMCs by enhancing institutional capabilities of its clients.
Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief Economist/Vice-President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, the Director will:
a) Strategy for Capacity Development
b) Work program validation and execution
c) Technical oversight on the department activities
d) Knowledge dissemination
e) People and talent management
COMPETENCIES (skills, experience and knowledge):
1. Hold at least a Ph.D. degree in Economics, Public Policy, Governance, or International development, with top level experience in addressing development challenges in African countries, preferably gained in diverse bilateral, multilateral and / or regional development agencies.
2. Have a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience in Capacity Development, of which at least five (5) years will be at managerial level.
3. Solid knowledge and good grasp of Capacity Development needs in African countries.
4. Proven ability to provide leadership in designing training programs, developing training materials and managing a Capacity Development or training institution.
5. Strong knowledge of African economic and development issues; strategic mind-set, and strong capacity to analyze situations from the perspective of stakeholders and translate strategic thinking into implementation.
6. Ability to build and manage strategic partnerships with a results-oriented mind-set.
7. Strong ability to translate development challenges into knowledge leverage opportunities with a solid knowledge of andragogy.
8. Strong analytical and negotiation skills, coupled to superior monitoring and evaluation abilities.
9. Strong ability in conceptualizing new approaches and innovation in Capacity Development, as well as developing user friendly training materials.
10. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
11. Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is highly desirable.
