Director, EDRE

• Position title: Director, EDRE
• Grade: EL-5
• Position N°: 50000861
• Reference: No ADB/15/78
• Publication date: 05/06/2015
• Closing date: 28/06/2015

Objectives

The African Development Bank is Africa’s premier development finance institution. The ECON Complex comprises the Development Research Department (EDRE), the Statistics Department (ESTA), and the African Development Institute (EADI). They form the research, capacity building and knowledge development hub of the Bank.

The Development Research Department undertakes policy relevant economic research, focusing on areas where the Bank’s proximity to African policymakers and the private sector gives it comparative advantage. It actively engages in the production of flagship products that analyze key challenges and opportunities for Africa’s development. Additionally it participates in missions for developing country strategy papers (CSPs) or regional integration strategy papers (RISPs). EDRE suitably places its resources at the service of Senior Management of the Bank in crafting important policy statements and in guiding the policy thrust of the Bank. EDRE also takes part in discussions related to the replenishment of the African Development Fund, and related mid-term reviews. It also takes part in analyses linked to general capital increases of the Bank. In recent years assessments of additionality and development effectiveness (ADOA) for private sector operations have become an important feature of EDRE’s work. EDRE works closely with other departments in the Complex to deliver its knowledge management agenda.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief Economist and Vice President, the incumbent will:

• Provide leadership and inspiration in the undertaking of quality research and analyses in Africa’s economic development, with emphasis on value addition.
• The Director is expected to raise the Bank’s capacity to pose crucial issues in Africa’s development and to devise solutions through the production of flagship reports and working papers dedicated to these issues.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to staff in EDRE and those in other complexes undertaking economic and sector.
• Manage human and financial resources to ensure that the Department’s core activities are not constrained.
• The Director will be expected to establish effective collaboration with other Bank units, international agencies as well as with bilateral donors in seeking solutions to Africa’s development.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a PhD degree or its equivalent in Economics with any of the following concentrations: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Labor Economics and Industrial Organization. Demonstrated knowledge of political economy issues will be an advantage;
• Preferably a minimum of ten (10) years of extensive work experience, five(5) of which are at a managerial level, in development economics research, including evidence of peer-reviewed analytical work, and a solid knowledge of economic theory, including on development;
• Demonstrated capacity to organize workshops and seminars at the domestic and international levels, and to effectively disseminate results;
• Evidence of ability to build and lead motivated and committed multi-cultural teams across functional boundaries and to utilize talent and expertise of team members to advance the work of the Department and the Bank.
• Ability to partner with a broad range of internal and external, particularly African Universities and thinktanks, clients in the generation of new research knowledge and analyses.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and/or French. A good working knowledge of the other language is an added advantage
• Be conversant with the Bank’s software, i.e., Word, Excel, SAP, MS Project and PowerPoint.

Apply online

Apply for this position

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

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