Principal Board Affairs Officer and Committee Secretary – PL4  

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. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries).  The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten-Year Strategy (2024 – 2033) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s), all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified, namely: Energy, Agro-business, Industrialization, Integration and Improving the quality of life for the people of Africa. 

THE COMPLEX:

The President, plans, supervises, and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund. The President supervises several Departments and Units including the: Office of the President; Independent Development Evaluation Department; Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department; Compliance Review and Mediation Unit; Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board; Administrative Tribunal; Office of the Auditor General; Group Risk  Management Directorate; General Counsel and Legal Services Department; Communication and External Relations Department; Staff Integrity and Ethics Office and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:

The role of the Bank’s Office of the Secretary General and the General Secretariat is to facilitate the delivery of the objectives of the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy, High 5s, and Development and Business Delivery Model by enhancing the decision-making process of the governance organs and forging better working relationships with the shareholders and host countries of the Bank. The Secretary General and the General Secretariat is comprised of: (i) the Immediate Office of the Secretary General which has the additional responsibility of managing the Records Management and Archives Section and the Corporate Governance Policy and Shareholder Relations Section; (ii) a Board Affairs and Proceedings Division; (iii) a Protocol, Privileges, and Immunities Division; and (iv) a Conferences and Meetings Division.

The main functions of the Board Affairs and Proceedings (PSEG1), which would be overseen by the Director of Board Affairs are to: Prepare the work programmes, agenda and schedules of meetings of the Boards and the Committees; Organize meetings of the Boards and their committees, as well as provide them with secretarial services; Provide secretariat services for the Boards of Governors and their subsidiary organs, and manage the relations between these Boards and Senior Management; Monitor the implementation of decisions of the Boards by the organizational units concerned; Provide administrative, and support services to Elected Officers, and provide recruitment support for their offices; and Preserve and safeguard the Bank’s institutional memory. 

THE POSITION: 

This position’s overall objective is to provide secretariat services to the Boards of Governors, the Boards of Directors and the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE), including drafting revising and translating meeting reports while ensuring the proper conduct of meetings of the Boards of Directors, the Boards of Governors, and their subsidiary organs.

KEY FUNCTIONS: 

Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the Principal Board Affairs Officer and Committee Secretary assures the following duties:

1. Contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Boards of Directors and Boards of Governors and the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) by enhancing the decision-making process.
2. Assist the Chairperson of the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) to prepare and conduct Committee meetings and advise on any relevant matters.
3. Prepare background papers, analyses, and recommendations to be used by the Committee Chairperson and members.
4.  Coordinate the activities of the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) and manage the relationship between Senior Management and members.
5. Cover Committee meetings, analyses and determine the thrust of discussions/deliberations and then synthesize, and prepare a succinct summary of the main decisions and conclusions reached.
6. Contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of the Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness (CODE) through research and submission of documents on issues under consideration.
7. Populate the Board Dashboard and follow up on Committee recommendations.
8. Ensure the coverage of relevant Boards of Governors meetings; analyse and determine the thrust of discussions/deliberations and then synthesize and draft the main decisions and conclusions reached.
9. Translate the syntheses and reports drafted in the department; and
10. Carry out any other assignment required by service exigency.

COMPETENCIES (skills, experience, and knowledge): 

1. Hold at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent in Communication, Economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Development Finance, Social Science, and other related disciplines;
2. Have a minimum of six years (6) years of relevant professional experience in similar organizations;
3. Proficiency in written and verbal communication in English or French, preferably with a good working knowledge of the other.
4. Have sound institutional, policies and operations knowledge.
5. Have excellent analytical and drafting skills and be good at summarizing and synthesizing.
6. Be able to identify and meet clients’ needs within the framework of established rules while processing reports and identify appropriate solutions and alternatives, when necessary.
7. Be able to work efficiently under pressure and be willing to work long hours to meet tight deadlines.
8. Be able to multitask and demonstrate effective problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
9. Have excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
10. Show proof of discretion, tactfulness, and flexibility in dealing with clients such as the Boards of Governors, Boards of Directors, Ambassadors and Senior Management.
11. Proficient in the use of standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), practical knowledge of SAP systems will be an advantage.

THIS POSITION IS CLASSIFIED INTERNATIONAL STATUS AND ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT.

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