Principal Agricultural Economist: African Development Bank (AfDB)

Position title: Principal Agricultural Economist

Grade: PL-4

Reference: ADB/10/028

Closing date: 28/04/2010

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Division Manager, OSAN.2 and working in collaboration with Task Managers, the incumbent will contribute technical inputs to Bank Group’s operational activities relating to agriculture and rural development, through the review of the technical design and institutional arrangements for agricultural projects/programmes proposed for Bank’s funding and assessing their feasibility from the perspective of present and future benefits impact by:

• Undertake personally and leading, as required, field missions to identify, prepare, appraise and/or supervise project implementation and follow-up on Bank-financed sector studies, monitor projects’ procurement and disbursement and reporting systems to ensure that these are consistent with Bank’s rules of procedures;
• Participate in strategy and sector policy development;
• Participate in, and lead, as required, agricultural sector reviews, agricultural and rural development projects formulation, mid-term reviews and project completion missions and reports processing;
• Participate in appraisal and processing of agricultural and rural development projects and Terms of Reference (TOR) of studies proposed for Bank Group financing;
• Contribute technical inputs in the preparation of country strategy papers and portfolio reviews, with particular reference to the agriculture and rural development sector;
• Review procurement documents from regional member countries in line with the Bank’s Group’s procurement procedures and make proposals for action by the Bank and executing agencies;
• Review project feasibility studies and progress reports and make proposals for action by the Bank and executing agencies;
• Provide technical advice to the Bank’s Disbursement Division on the eligibility of project expenses;
• Prepare terms of reference and select consultants for missions and supervise technical aspects of their work;
• Represent the Bank in coordination meetings with other institutions; and
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Division Manager or by Senior Management.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree or equivalent in Agriculture with a major in Agricultural Economics.
• Preferably a minimum of six (6) years of relevant and broad professional experience in project formulation, preparation, appraisal and management, with broad interest in water resources management issues;
• Ability to apply innovative approaches; ability to work in team, analyze and summarize; good interpersonal, communication and project management skills; demonstrated attention to details, good result and client service orientation;
• Good leadership abilities; committed to the development in the continent; ability to apply innovative approaches and to modify work methods while remaining efficient in changing work conditions;
• Good mastery of standard computer applications (Microsoft office package) with knowledge of COSTAB and SAP as a plus; Strong ability to undertake financial, economic and cost-effective analysis of projects and programmes
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English or French with good working knowledge of the other language.

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 (preferably electronically, to: recruit @ afdb.org) a fully completed Personal History Form (PHF), available from the Bank’s web site, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating date of birth and nationality.

The President, ADB, 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.

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