Latest Jobs at The African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is a multilateral development finance institution established to

contribute to the economic development and social progress of African countries. The AfDB was founded in 1964 and comprises three entities: The African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund.

Principal Solutions Architect – OITC.3

 

The Transport and ICT Department (OITC) is responsible for the Bank Group’s public sector-based activity in the transport and ICT sectors.  In particular, the Department is responsible for the identification, appraisal and subsequent supervision of the Bank’s lending and grants programme to Regional Member Countries for transport and ICT projects.  In addition, particularly in ICT, the department supports other operations of the Bank requiring sectoral advice.  The main objective of the ICT Division (OITC.3) is to build on the Bank’s sector skills to become a leader in the development, financing and implementation of ICT projects and programmes across the African continent.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the post holder will be the solutions architecture expert within the team.  As such, he/she will be expected to lead or provide advice on all matter relating to solutions architecture, including hardware, software, applications and integration.  To that end, he/she will:

• review project proposals to verify the appropriate IT solutions identified or to make recommendations on prospective project designs in light of solutions architecture concerns.  Such project proposals may come via OITC.3 or from other Bank departments, development partners or the private sector;


• ensure that OITC.3 is properly briefed and current in its knowledge of solutions architecture as it relates to use in Africa;


• liaise with private sector ICT companies to understand their product roadmaps and the application of them to Africa; and to consider areas of joint Bank-private sector collaboration;


• create and maintain a technical capacity programme to ensure Regional Member Countries have available to them the rights skills and training to make solutions architecture-related decisions.

The post holder will also perform the normal functions of a task manager within the ICT team:

• Participate in project identification missions in selected RMCs in the ICT sector. Such missions normally lead to the development of a pipeline of bankable projects and technical assistance programs  to be considered by OITC.


• Prepare or oversee preliminary evaluation of project proposals to assess their feasibility for financial assistance and/or technical support by the Bank. This involves the screening of project applications, carrying out of desk reviews and evaluation of feasibility studies, preparing Project Concept Notes.


• Participate in identification, appraisal and negotiation missions. This includes coordinating the work of the mission team which usually includes professional staff from other departments within the Bank; carrying out independent research on the investment climate, project sponsors, management, economic, financial, marketing, technical, environmental and legal aspects of the project or policy. The work also includes assessing the risks of projects and advising governments on appropriate mitigating measures; structuring/restructuring of projects to minimize financial risks; participating in negotiations, or conducting preliminary negotiations with sponsors on financing terms and legal conditions for the proposed investment/loan by the Bank.


• Contribute to the preparation of Project Concept Notes and Project Appraisal Reports for presentation to peer reviewers, Country Teams, Operations Committee  and finally to the Board of Directors. The work involves overseeing the production of financial models for carrying out financial and economic analyses of the project; developing recommendations and justifications for the investments and defending these at the various management committees and Board of Directors.


• Process disbursements under approved projects on timely basis, while ensuring that all conditions precedent were fulfilled.


• Supervise portfolio projects, including review of progress reports, preparing project supervision reports for management review and recommending appropriate measures to deal with problem projects.


• Contribute to the development of strategic plans and programs; participate in Country Strategy Papers (CSPs) preparation missions for allocated countries; contribute to and participate in the preparation of policy papers on private sector operations and issues.


• Perform other ad hoc assignments relating to the ICT sector assigned by management, including the preparation of briefs, speeches and papers.


• Undertake any other task as the Manager may assign

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree preferably in  IT or telecoms engineering and/or equivalent work experience;


• A minimum of six (6) years relevant professional experience in solutions architecting, project management and capacity building;


• Proven written and analytical skills in designing solutions architecture; ability to apply solutions architecting knowledge across industries and sectors (public/private); ability to initiate innovative approaches and originality at work; sound analytic, conceptual and strategic thinking;


• Excellent technical and analytical skills and established track record of excellence in operational work related to project implementation;


• Experience working on operations in the private sector and the public sector;


• Proven ability for team-working and multi-tasking; good communication and computational skills; resourcefulness, attention to detail and client orientation;


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues;


• Flexibility to undertake field missions to Regional Member Countries;


• Competence in (or ability/willingness to become quickly familiar with) the use of various tools available and applied by the Bank such as SAP, and fluency in standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Power point); 


• Excellent written and oral communications in French. A good working knowledge of English is required.

Senior Urban Development Specialist – OITC

 

In the face of growing urbanisation in Africa, the Transport and ICT Department is aiming to step up the assistance it provides to the Bank Regional Member countries to improve urban development and municipal management in designing and implementing innovative and efficient urban development operations. The Department provides assistance in the form of project loans and grants, Technical Assistance, and Analytical and Advisory Services to help tackle issues related to urban development, infrastructure financing, urban governance improvement, housing, public private partnership projects in urban services, and institutional development, with due regard to cross-cutting themes including knowledge generation, regional integration, environmental protection and adaptation and resilience to climate change, gender equality, and the empowerment of vulnerable segments of the population, as well as the strengthening of the urban-rural linkages.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Director of OITC, the Urban Development Specialist will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide technical advice to the Bank Group in respect of urban development projects (planning, infrastructure, basic services, housing, governance, municipal finance, transport and ICT infrastructure) of member countries and their cities;


• Identify suitable projects for Bank Group financing in the urban development sector and be responsible for the identification, formulation, preparation, appraisal, supervision and evaluation of normal to large complex scale projects including lending, sectorial work and technical assistance;


• Lead difficult appraisal, supervision or sector missions; prepare the appraisal reports and lead up to the stage of Board’s approval; negotiate normal to sensitive and delicate policy issues with borrowers and other parties;


• Serve as technical authority in urban development; integrate a broad spectrum of project issues from various functional areas with a cohesive position and monitor progress on on-going projects; participate in identification, feasibility studies and preparation, appraisal and supervision of normal to large and complex projects and/or complex studies involving economic, technical or financial issues;


• Undertake feasibility studies in urban development involving broad planning of resources and techno-judgment of alternative ways of shaping projects towards optimal contribution to development objectives; advise member countries on the preparation, organization and execution of feasibility studies and assist in drafting Terms of Reference; review the progress reports of studies; select the components to comprise the eventual project; review and supervise the work of consultants engaged by the Borrowers to the assigned projects/studies;


• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of experts as Task Manager in the preparation and appraisal of complex projects and large scale projects/studies;


• Advise the regional member countries and cities on Bank’s financing requirements; act as a key person to liaise with government officials and spokesman of the Bank; play a key role in the preparation and appraising of reports, working groups, loan committees, loan negotiations and presentation of projects/studies for approval by the Board;


• Supervise projects; play a key role in following up the progress of projects; supervise and monitor procurement activities for goods, works and services in accordance with Bank’s rules; review the submissions from the Borrowers, prepare tender lists, bid documents, analysis, award recommendation and contracts documents; study and analyze data submitted by borrower; verify and approve contracts for disbursement of funds; ensure that the regional member countries prepare the Borrower’s PCR after project completion;


• Lead Bank missions as Task Manager to evaluate overall project performance, hold discussions and collect adequate data for the preparation of the Bank’s project completion-report; advise the Bank Group on lessons derived from the project which will guide future intervention in the specific countries; prepare terms of reference for feasibility and engineering designs for studies; evaluate consultancy proposals; review bid documents and evaluation for works and goods;


• Serve as a member of the Bank Procurement Committee for Registration of Consultants and Contractors; draft letters, memos and other documents for the signature of the supervisor; provide expert technical advice to the management and colleagues on technical aspects, procurement of goods, works and services, etc.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in urban development or closely related disciplines


• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in urban project design and management


• Good knowledge and understanding of the urbanization and decentralization issues and challenges in Africa in various sectors (particularly in urban planning, land, municipal finance, basic services, transport and ICT infrastructure)


• Proven experience in urban development and strong ability in analytical work


• Demonstrated ability to lead a group of professionals to deliver projects and programs in an effective and efficient way;


• Competence in the use of ERP Systems (preferably SAP) and standard MS office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint); with good knowledge of technical tools and software for urban development and municipal management.


• High level communication and negotiation skills with excellent written and verbal communications in English.  A working knowledge of French would be an added advantage.

Senior Environment Officer – ONEC.3

 

The mission of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC) is to spearhead the Bank’s lending and non-lending operations in the areas of energy, environment and climate change. It will support mainstreaming of environment and climate change into Bank’s operations as well as lead on advocacy, advice and evaluation of lessons learned for incorporation into policy and programmes development.

Through its Environment and Climate Change Division (ONEC.3), the Department will identify, design and implement environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and projects.  These will either be stand alone or as components of other Bank Group support operations. ONEC.3 also serves as the primary climate finance platform for the Bank Group.

ONEC.3 is also responsible for implementing the Bank’s environmental/social policies procedures, and guidelines, including review/monitoring of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) documents, requesting validation of project’s environmental and social categorization and submission of ESIA, ESMP, ESMF and RAP documentation for clearance by the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards unit (ORQR.3); and ensuring compliance with Bank policy on disclosure

Duties and responsibilities

The Senior Environment Officer will work under the general supervision and guidance of the Manager, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC.3). His/her core duties/responsibilities will include the following:

Mainstreaming of environmental and social development concerns:

• Address environmental and social development issues in various Bank operations during the identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision and project completion stages;


• Prepare Request for Categorization Memorandum (RCM)  for project categorization; ESIA/RAP, ESMP and ESMF Summaries before submitting to the Environment and Social Safeguards and Compliance Division (ORQR.3) and posting on Bank’s website;


• Prepare Climate Screening Memorandum, and propose adaptation measures and mitigation measures as appropriate;


• Prepare and/or contribute to technical reports and other environmental and social documentation required in processing Bank operations;


• Provide E&S support to the Bank’s private sector operations (e.g. industries, services, infrastructure, financial institutions) and to the Bank’s public sector operations in the energy, transport, and information and communication technology, sectors as required;


• Mainstream relevant and cross-cutting environmental and social issues into Bank operations, particularly issues related to natural resource management and climate change;


• Design and/or improve the design of features/ components within Bank operations in order to ensure the effective implementation of environmental and social measures throughout the duration of the operations; and,


• Develop recommendations to enhance environmental and social benefits and corrective measures to mitigate environmental and social risks in Bank operations.

Compliance with environmental and social requirements:

• Provide policy and operational guidance to Task Managers and Investment Officers on environmental and social development issues as a means of strengthening the environmental and social performance of Bank operations;


• Ensure compliance of operations with the Bank’s environmental and social safeguards, policies, and guidelines consistent with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS); and,


• Provide technical guidance to clients on the preparation of necessary documentation, including but not limited to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments, Resettlement Action Plans, Environmental and Social Management Plans, Environmental and Social Management Frameworks and Environmental and Social Management Systems.


• Help manage and update the ONEC.3 Environmental and Social Project Tracking System

Knowledge Development:

• Contribute to the development of Bank policies and strategies by highlighting timely environmental and social development issues in close collaboration with other Bank experts; and,


• Review and contribute to the mainstreaming of appropriate environmental and social development issues into projects and/or initiatives developed by Bank experts in departments within and outside of OIVP.


• Undertake any other task as the Director ONEC and/or the Manager ONEC.3 may assign.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree in disciplines related to environment, social development, economics, development studies; 


• A minimum of five (5) years relevant professional experience related to the implementation of operations, project management, policy formation, capacity building;


• Proven writing and analytical skills in designing relevant operations; ability to initiate innovative approaches and originality at work; sound analytic, conceptual and strategic thinking;


• Updated knowledge of the critical environment and social issues;


• Proven ability for team-working and multi-tasking; great facilitation, communication and computational skills; resourcefulness, attention to details and client orientation;


• Flexibility to undertake field missions to Regional Member Countries; and,


• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English, with preference for capabilities in both languages.

Senior Social Development Officer – ONEC.3

 

The mission of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC) is to spearhead the Bank’s lending and non-lending operations in the areas of energy, environment and climate change. It will support mainstreaming of environment and climate change into Bank’s operations as well as lead on advocacy, advice and evaluation of lessons learned for incorporation into policy and programmes development.

Through its Environment and Climate Change Division (ONEC.3), the Department will identify, design and implement environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and projects.  These will either be stand alone or as components of other Bank Group support operations. ONEC.3 also serves as the primary climate finance platform for the Bank Group.

ONEC.3 is also responsible for implementing the Bank’s environmental/social policies procedures, and guidelines, including review/monitoring of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) documents, requesting validation of project’s environmental and social categorization and submission of ESIA, ESMP, ESMF and RAP documentation for clearance by the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards unit (ORQR.3); and ensuring compliance with Bank policy on disclosure

Duties and responsibilities

The Senior Social Development Officer will work under the general supervision and guidance of the Manager, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC.3). His/her core duties/responsibilities will include the following:

Mainstreaming of social development concerns:

• Advise country teams engaged in the identification, preparation and appraisal of operations with potential social repercussions to ensure adherence to Bank policies on involuntary resettlement and social safeguards


• Represent the Bank at social safeguards and impact assessment and related cross cutting issues such as gender, safety and climate change conferences.


• Address social development issues in various Bank operations during the identification, preparation, appraisal, and supervision stages.


• Conduct studies, review reports and analysis in line with Bank Group lending programs to RMCs.


• Lead Bank teams on joint missions with other development partners on issues of social impacts and safeguards compliance.


• Prepare Request for Categorization Memorandum (RCM) for project categorization; ESIA/RAP, ESMP and ESMF Summaries before submitting to ORQR.3 and posting on Bank’s website.


• Provide primary support to the Bank’s private sector operations (e.g. industries, services, infrastructure, financial institutions); provide occasional support to public sector operations in the energy, water and sanitation, transport, and Information and Communication Technology, sectors as required.


• Mainstream relevant and cross-cutting environmental and social issues into Bank operations, particularly issues related to gender, the social implications of climate change, and involuntary resettlement.


• Develop recommendations to enhance social benefits and corrective measures to mitigate social risks in Bank operations


• Design and/or ameliorate project components contributing to reducing poverty, addressing vulnerability/ marginalization, and encouraging greater inclusion/ participation.


• Develop recommendations and/ or review analyses carried in mainstreaming gender in Bank operations.

Compliance with environmental and social requirements:

• Provide policy and operational guidance to Task Managers on social development issues as a means of strengthening the environmental and social performance of Bank operations.


• Review TORs for feasibility studies (ESIA, SESA and RAP) to ensure adequate coverage of all pertinent issues required by the Bank’s environmental and social assessment procedures (ESAP).


• Ensure compliance of operations with the Bank’s environmental and social safeguards, policies, and guidelines consistent with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS).


• Provide technical guidance to clients on the preparation of necessary documentation, including but not limited to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Resettlement Action Plans, Environmental and Social Management Plans, and Social and Environmental Management Systems.


• Help manage the ONEC.3 Environmental and Social Project Tracking System.

Knowledge Development:

• Contribute to the development of Bank policies and strategies by highlighting timely social development issues in close collaboration with other Bank experts.


• Review and contribute to the mainstreaming of appropriate social development issues into projects and/or initiatives developed by Bank experts in departments outside of OIVP.


• Undertake any other task as the Director ONEC and/or Manager ONEC.3 may assign.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s Degree or its university equivalent in Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Economics, relevant Social Sciences, or in an equivalent social-related discipline.


• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the areas of social assessment, management of resettlement and compensation, situation analyses of poverty and vulnerability including gender.


• Excellent technical and analytical skills and established track record of excellence in operational and policy work on environmental and social matters.


• Knowledge and experience in preparing and managing the implementation of  Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), Environmental and Social management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMSs), including  social aspects of development projects (e.g. health and safety, involuntary resettlement and gender components), operations monitoring and evaluation, and compliance assessment.


• Demonstrable knowledge and practice of the operational safeguards policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral partner development agencies in regional member countries, particularly with respect to infrastructure projects.


• Practitioner experience in Africa, with broad skills in multi-criteria assessment, stakeholder engagement and consultation, community participation, with analytical skills in assessing institutional capacities and designing/reviewing practical implementation arrangements for complex projects.


• Substantive knowledge, experience in and commitment to social development work and understanding of critical issues in sustainable development, international development policy, emerging social development and results-based management agendas.


• Experience working on operations in the private sector and the public sector.


• Expertise in applying social analyses, social assessments, and other instruments to Bank operations.


• Ability to mainstream gender, climate change, and participation issues into Bank operations.


• Knowledge of social development issues facing regional member countries (RMCs).


• Results-oriented, team player, articulate analyst with attention to details, persuasive communicator and good writer.


• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English, with preference for capabilities in both languages.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

Principal Environment Officer – ONEC.3

 

The mission of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC) is to spearhead the Bank’s lending and non-lending operations in the areas of energy, environment and climate change. It will support mainstreaming of environment and climate change into Bank’s operations as well as lead on advocacy, advice and evaluation of lessons learned for incorporation into policy and programmes development.

Through its Environment and Climate Change Division (ONEC.3), the Department will identify, design and implement environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and projects.  These will either be stand alone or as components of other Bank Group support operations. ONEC.3 also serves as the primary climate finance platform for the Bank Group.

ONEC.3 is also responsible for implementing the Bank’s environmental/social policies procedures, and guidelines, including review/monitoring of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) documents, requesting validation of project’s environmental and social categorization and submission of ESIA, ESMP, ESMF and RAP documentation for clearance by the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards unit (ORQR.3); and ensuring compliance with Bank policy on disclosure

Duties and responsibilities

The Principal Environment Officer will work under the general supervision and guidance of the Manager, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC.3). His/her core duties/responsibilities will include the following:

Mainstreaming of environmental and social development concerns:

• Address environmental and social development issues in various Bank operations during the identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision and project completion stages;


• Prepare Request for Categorization Memorandum (RCM)  for project categorization; ESIA/RAP, ESMP and ESMF Summaries before submitting to the Environment and Social Safeguards and Compliance Division (ORQR.3) and posting on Bank’s website;


• Prepare Climate Screening Memorandum, and propose adaptation measures and mitigation measures as appropriate;


• Prepare and/or contribute to technical reports and other environmental and social documentation required in processing Bank operations;


• Provide E&S support to the Bank’s private sector operations (e.g. industries, services, infrastructure, financial institutions) and to the Bank’s public sector operations in the energy, transport, and information and communication technology, sectors as required;


• Mainstream relevant and cross-cutting environmental and social issues into Bank operations, particularly issues related to natural resource management and climate change;


• Design and/or improve the design of features/ components within Bank operations in order to ensure the effective implementation of environmental and social measures throughout the duration of the operations; and,


• Develop recommendations to enhance environmental and social benefits and corrective measures to mitigate environmental and social risks in Bank operations.

Compliance with environmental and social requirements:

• Provide policy and operational guidance to Task Managers and Investment Officers on environmental and social development issues as a means of strengthening the environmental and social performance of Bank operations;


• Ensure compliance of operations with the Bank’s environmental and social safeguards, policies, and guidelines consistent with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS); and,


• Provide technical guidance to clients on the preparation of necessary documentation, including but not limited to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments, Resettlement Action Plans, Environmental and Social Management Plans, Environmental and Social Management Frameworks and Environmental and Social Management Systems. 

Knowledge Development:

• Contribute to the development of Bank policies and strategies by highlighting timely environmental and social development issues in close collaboration with other Bank experts; and,


• Review and contribute to the mainstreaming of appropriate environmental and social development issues into projects and/or initiatives developed by Bank experts in departments within and outside of OIVP.


• Undertake any other task as the Director ONEC and/or the Manager ONEC.3 may assign.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s Degree or its university equivalent in Environmental Studies,  Natural Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Economics, relevant Social Sciences, Engineering, or in an equivalent environment-related discipline;


• A minimum of six  (6) years of relevant professional experience in the areas of environmental management, natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental assessment, environmental monitoring, environmental compliance, and climate change adaptation and mitigation, or field operations involving environmental matters;


• Excellent technical and analytical skills and established track record of excellence in operational and policy work on environmental and social matters;


• Knowledge and experience in preparing and managing the implementation of  Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), Environmental and Social management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMSs), including  social aspects of development projects (e.g. health and safety, involuntary resettlement and gender components), operations monitoring and evaluation, and compliance assessment;


• Demonstrable knowledge and practice of the operational safeguards policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral partner development agencies in regional member countries, particularly with respect to infrastructure projects;


• Practitioner experience in Africa, with broad skills in multi-criteria assessment, stakeholder engagement and consultation, community participation, with analytical skills in assessing institutional capacities and designing/reviewing practical implementation arrangements for complex projects;


• Well-rounded understanding of critical issues in sustainable development, international environment and development policy, emerging climate change, green growth and sustainability concerns, and social development and results-based management agendas;


• Results-oriented, team player, articulate analyst with attention to details, persuasive communicator and good writer.


• Ability to communicate and write effectively in English and/or French, with preference for capabilities in both languages; and,


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

Principal Social Development Officer – ONEC.3

 

The mission of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC) is to spearhead the Bank’s lending and non-lending operations in the areas of energy, environment and climate change. It will support mainstreaming of environment and climate change into Bank’s operations as well as lead on advocacy, advice and evaluation of lessons learned for incorporation into policy and programmes development. 

Through its Environment and Climate Change Division (ONEC.3), the Department will identify, design and implement environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and projects.  These will either be stand alone or as components of other Bank Group support operations. ONEC.3 also serves as the primary climate finance platform for the Bank Group.

ONEC.3 is also responsible for implementing the Bank’s environmental/social policies procedures, and guidelines, including review/monitoring of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) documents,  and requesting validation of project’s environmental and social categorization and submission of ESIA, ESMP, ESMF and RAP summaries for clearance by the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards unit (ORQR.3); and ensuring compliance with Bank policy on disclosure.

Duties and responsibilities

The Principal Social Development Specialist (ONEC.3) will work under the general supervision and guidance of the Manager, Environment and Climate Change (ONEC.3). His/her core duties/responsibilities will include the following:

Mainstreaming of social development concerns:

• Advise country teams engaged in the identification, preparation and appraisal of operations with potential social repercussions to ensure adherence to Bank policies on involuntary resettlement and social safeguards.


• Develop and organize training sessions for Bank staff and their counterparts in RMCs in the assessment and analysis of social impacts of infrastructure development projects and programs including the understanding of stakeholder identification and participation framework; formulation of participatory strategies; institutional and social organization issues; and social impact monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.


• Represent the Bank at social safeguards and impact assessment and related cross cutting issues such as gender, safety and climate change conferences.


• Address social development issues in various Bank operations during the identification, preparation, appraisal, and supervision stages.


• Provide leadership to staff of the Division working on environment and social analysis with Project Teams to ensure quality and timely delivery of services in carrying out socio-economic impact analysis/evaluation of infrastructure projects, and provide support and guidance in processing project documents for Board. 


• Conduct studies, review reports and analysis in line with Bank Group lending programs to RMCs.


• Lead Bank teams on joint missions with other development partners on issues of social impacts and safeguards compliance.


• Prepare Request for Categorization Memorandum (RCM)  for project categorization; ESIA/RAP , ESMP and ESMF Summaries before submitting to ORQR.3 and posting on Bank’s website.


• Provide primary support to the Bank’s private sector operations (e.g. industries, services, infrastructure, financial institutions); provide occasional support to public sector operations in the energy, water and sanitation, transport, and Information and Communication Technology, sectors as required.


• Mainstream relevant and cross-cutting environmental and social issues into Bank operations, particularly issues related to gender, the social implications of climate change, and involuntary resettlement.


• Develop recommendations to enhance social benefits and corrective measures to mitigate social risks in Bank operations


• Design and/or ameliorate project components contributing to reducing poverty, addressing vulnerability/ marginalization, and encouraging greater inclusion/ participation.


• Develop recommendations and/ or review analyses carried in mainstreaming gender in Bank operations.

Compliance with environmental and social requirements:

• Provide policy and operational guidance to Task Managers on social development issues as a means of strengthening the environmental and social performance of Bank operations.


• Review TORs for feasibility studies (ESIA, SESA and RAP) to ensure adequate coverage of all pertinent issues required by the Bank’s environmental and social assessment procedures (ESAP).


• Ensure compliance of operations with the Bank’s environmental and social safeguards, policies, and guidelines consistent with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS).


• Provide technical guidance to clients on the preparation of necessary documentation, including but not limited to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Resettlement Action Plans, Environmental and Social Management Plans, and Social and Environmental Management Systems. 

In addition to these core duties/responsibilities, the incumbent will also carry out the following tasks:

Knowledge Development:

• Contribute to the development of Bank policies and strategies by highlighting timely social development issues in close collaboration with other Bank experts.


• Review and contribute to the mainstreaming of appropriate social development issues into projects and/or initiatives developed by Bank experts in departments outside of OIVP.


• Undertake any other task as the Director ONEC and/or Manager ONEC.3 may assign.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s Degree or its university equivalent in Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Economics, relevant Social Sciences, or in an equivalent social-related discipline.


• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in the areas of social assessment, management of resettlement and compensation, situation analyses of poverty and vulnerability including gender.


• Excellent technical and analytical skills and established track record of excellence in operational and policy work on environmental and social matters.


• Knowledge and experience in preparing and managing the implementation of  Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), Environmental and Social management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMSs), including  social aspects of development projects (e.g. health and safety, involuntary resettlement and gender components), operations monitoring and evaluation, and compliance assessment.


• Demonstrable knowledge and practice of the operational safeguards policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral partner development agencies in regional member countries, particularly with respect to infrastructure projects.


• Practitioner experience in Africa, with broad skills in multi-criteria assessment, stakeholder engagement and consultation, community participation, with analytical skills in assessing institutional capacities and designing/reviewing practical implementation arrangements for complex projects.


• Substantive knowledge, experience in and commitment to social development work and understanding of critical issues in sustainable development, international development policy, emerging social development and results-based management agendas.


• Experience working on operations in the private sector and the public sector.


• Expertise in applying social analyses, social assessments, and other instruments to Bank operations.


• Ability to mainstream gender, climate change, and participation issues into Bank operations.


• Knowledge of social development issues facing regional member countries (RMCs).


• Results-oriented, team player, articulate analyst with attention to details, persuasive communicator and good writer.


• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English, with preference for capabilities in both languages.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

Method of Application

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