AFDB Needs the Services of a Social Development Officer

AFDB (African Development Bank) requires the services of a social development officer to work in Yaounde, Cameroon. The Social Development Officer reports to the West and Central Regional Sector Manager.

AFDB Needs the Services of a Social Development Officer

Objectives of the African Development Bank

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). 

AFDB Needs the Services of a Social Development Officer

The Bank’s development agenda is to deliver financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty in Africa through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. To sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2013 – 2022) and ensure a more significant developmental impact, five major areas, all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX:

The Vice Presidency for ‘Agriculture, Human, and Social Development’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy High 5s priorities of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa.” The complex objectives are:

(i) To develop policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pools of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions, and 

(ii) Develop new financing instruments. The Vice President will act as the spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on “Feed Africa” and Improve the Quality of Life for the People.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:

The Human Capital, Youth, and Skills Development Department, within the Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex, spearheads the achievement of the High 5s on “Improving the Quality of Life of People in Africa” and contributes to the other High 5s. The Department also leads to implementing the Bank-wide Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy. The Department has two divisions:

 (i) Education, Human Capital, and Employment Division, which focuses on scaling up of Bank’s support to higher education and skills development; and 

(ii) Public Health, Security, and Nutrition Division focus on strengthening health systems, social protection, and nutrition for human wellbeing.

The Human capital, Youth, and Skills Development Department have a Regional Division covering West and Central countries. This Regional Division focuses on Pipeline development, Lending delivery, and Portfolio management for all social sectors (Education, Health, Social Protection, and Youth Employment) in West and Central countries. It also develops Coordination, Client Relations, and Partnerships in these countries. 

AFDB Needs the Services of a Social Development Officer

THE POSITION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

The Social Development Officer reports to the Regional Sector Manager, West, and Central regions. The Social Development Officer will support the Bank’s social sector agenda with the following main responsibilities:

  1. Propose and plan, on an annual and tri-annual basis, social sector lending and technical assistance programs for social development in the Regional Member Countries (including the need for co-financing with other institutions, countries, and the private sector);
  2. Act as the link between the Bank and the Governments of RMCs for operational activities in the social sector;
  3. Conduct technical and sectoral studies and analysis in preparation of Bank Group lending for social sector development;
  4. Provide technical assistance and advice to Borrowing Countries on social sector development problems and priorities and on the technical aspects of projects; and,
  5. Identify, prepare, appraise, and assist in implementing Bank-financed social development projects.

Duties and responsibilities of the Social Development Officer

Under the supervision of the Regional Sector Manager, the Social Development Officer shall perform the following vital functions:
  • Provide technical advice/assistance to RMCs to develop their social sector;
  • Contribute to the development of the Bank Group social sector policy and provide technical advice/guidance to introduce and monitor the implementation of the policy;
  • Contribute to the preparation of Country Strategy Papers and Portfolio Review reports, with particular emphasis on social sector development;
  • Identify, prepare, and evaluate social sector projects and programs, together with multisector projects and programs in RMCs;
  • Identify and coordinate the co-financing needs of the Division's projects/programs and make funding proposals;
  • Conduct project preparation and appraisal missions in the social sector;
  • Supervise portfolio projects following Bank rules and procedures;
  • Perform project completion missions to prepare project completion reports;
  • Provide support to the Regional Sector Manager to supervise staff, monitor the portfolio, the loan program and the Division's indicators;
  • Support the Regional Sector Manager in monitoring and achieving the target indicators and in monitoring projects managed by other colleagues;
  • Represent the Division and the Department in meetings and events related to the social sector within the Bank and externally;
  • Develop partnerships with other multilateral and/or bilateral development institutions on social sector aspects;
  • Carry out other technical tasks and coordination as required by the Regional Sector Manager or the Director of the Department.

Selection Criteria

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree or its university equivalent in Business Development, Social Development, Economics, Sociology, Labour Economics, or any related field;
  • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in planning, administration, or project management of the social sector;
  • Strong research/analytical skills in one of the following areas: social development policy formulation, project management, or donors’ coordination, with the ability to strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;
  • In-depth knowledge of the social sector, political and development issues in RMCs;
  • Solid experience in project cycle management (identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision, and completion);
  • Ability to understand complex problems in health, education, social protection, skills development, youth employment, gender, population, and poverty-related aspects to identify key issues and recommend pragmatic solutions;
  • Good knowledge of the health, education, social protection, skills development, youth employment, gender, population, and poverty-related aspects and human development issues in the RMCs;
  • Strong understanding of multi-sector approaches and gaps in health, education, social protection, skills development, youth employment, gender, population, and poverty-related aspects and social development;
  • Demonstrable knowledge of analysis and formulation of policies in social sectors;
  • Knowledge of the practices of major bilateral and multilateral agencies and development partners in RMCs will be an asset;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French, with a working knowledge of the other language;
  • Competence in the use of standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project);
  • Knowledge of SAP would be an advantage.
THIS POSITION IS CLASSIFIED AS INTERNATIONAL AND ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.

Should you encounter technical difficulties in submitting your application, please send an email with a precise description of the issue and/or a screenshot showing the problem to HR Direct HRDirect@AFDB.ORG (link sends e-mail)

                                                   CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Position title: Social Development Officer, AHHD

Grade: PL5

Position N°: 50058626

Reference: ADB/21/020

Publication date: 05-Feb-2021

Closing date: 06-Mar-2021

Duty station: Yaounde, Cameroon

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