Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer, RDGS2 Vacancy at AfDB

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – 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 80 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer, RDGS2

Reference: ADB/19/176
Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Grade: PL5
Position N°: 50001187

The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency for ‘Agriculture, Human, and Social Development’ is a Sector Complex focusing on two of the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy High 5s priority of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.
• The complex objectives are to develop, policy and strategy; provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pools of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; develop new financing instruments; the Vice President will act as the spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.

The Hiring Department / Division

• Within the context of the Bank’s High 5’s vision for Africa’s long-term economic transformation, the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department (AHAI) provides support for the delivery of the Bank’s Feed Africa: Strategy for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, 2016-2025.
• Feed Africa’s many Flagships include the ENABLE Youth initiative, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), Agropoles and Agro-Processing Zones, Post-harvest Loss Reduction and Agricultural Value Addition, Blue Economy, Risk Sharing and Finance Mechanisms (RSFM), and Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA).
• The Bank also has an Agriculture, Finance and Rural Development Department (AHFR).
• The Feed Africa Strategy aims to end hunger and rural poverty in the next decade through self-sufficiency in eighteen (18) priority commodity value chains specific to the continent’s agro-ecological zones. Realizing the objectives set forth in the Strategy requires increased productivity; value addition; investment in infrastructure; an enabling agribusiness environment; capital flows; and inclusivity, sustainability and effective nutrition.
• The Department leads the effort to transform African agricultural systems for greater competitiveness, inclusivity and sustainability, and for enhanced job creation and poverty reduction in Bank Group Regional Member Countries.

The Position

• The Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer will provide technical support to the development and implementation of projects including the flagship programs under the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy and High Fives vision for Africa’s economic transformation such as the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), ENABLE Youth, Postharvest Loss Reduction, Staple Crops Processing Zones etc.
• The Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer works across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries to support the delivery of development solutions for a diverse set of clients in the rural (and urban) space and in the public and private sectors, in line with the agricultural development, agribusiness and agro-Industry agenda of the African Development Bank Group. Using a value-chain approach, the incumbent will support the implementation of this agenda in African Development Bank Regional Member Countries, with specific focus on providing technical input for the design, and supervision of projects, which promote value chain development, value addition and primary and secondary processing of crops and livestock; catalyze private sector entry and growth in African agribusiness; promotes agri-SME growth and the commercialization of agriculture, particularly addressing access to finance needs creates farm to fork market linkages; facilitates the development of agro-poles and agro-processing hubs; supports the development of an agribusiness enabling environment; and invests in hard infrastructure (including roads, markets and irrigation), soft infrastructure (human capital, i.e., trained potential employees, ICT, etc.), and enabling policies and reforms, for transformation of African agriculture into viable, profitable businesses.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Regional sector manager, Agriculture and Human development (RDGS2), the Country manager, and working closely with other Task Managers in the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department, the Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department, the Industry and Trade Development Department, etc., and with external stakeholders, the Senior Rural Infrastructure Engineer’s role includes but is not limited to the following:

• Undertake analytical work and provide technical guidance in the area of rural infrastructure and water resources, focusing on agriculture, water and agriculture infrastructure development, and advice on how to ensure sustainability of benefits of Bank-financed agricultural projects and programs in Madagascar.
• Assist where required in the development of the Bank’s policies, procedures and guidelines, and ensure their application.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to officials of executing agencies on sector issues and priorities, technical and operational aspects of projects, and Bank rules and procedures, including those for the procurement of works, goods and services, and disbursement activities.
• Provide active support to Government in facilitating loans/grants effectiveness and advise the Government on agricultural portfolio management in the country.
• Assist country officials and implementing agencies in carrying out procurement and disbursement activities in accordance with Bank Group rules and procedures.
• Assist Government and implementation agencies in the utilization of revolving funds and preparation of quarterly reports and annual audit reports.
• Provide inputs in the review of tender evaluation reports and undertake the evaluation of technical and financial proposals for contracts relating to project implementation.
• Ascertain good performance of operations through regular supervision of portfolio operations, technical guidance and training of Borrowers on compliance with the Bank’s rules of procedure, monitor the agricultural portfolio in the country in addition to a supervision mission;
• Collaborate with other Banks’ Units in reviewing the operations performance, preparing completion reports, etc., so as to ensure that the lessons drawn from the implementation of past operations are taken into account in new projects.
• Identify opportunities for strategic collaboration with multilateral and bilateral donors in support of the agriculture sector in Madagascar, to increase the advantage effects of ADB’s loan and grant operations.
• Support RDGS in all rural infrastructure engineering and agriculture-related activities, including project design, preparation implementation and supervision, and co-ordination with other stakeholders within the Bank as well as other donors and development partners.
• Contribute to the preparation of Country Strategy Papers, with particular reference to rural roads, water resources, and agriculture infrastructure development.
• Participate in the relevant sector donor-coordination meetings, sector wide approaches, and advise on sector policy issues.
• Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Regional sector manager and Country manager.

Selection Criteria

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent in Civil Engineering and Rural Infrastructure Engineering, Hydrology, Water Resources Management, or related field, good management knowledge of hydro-agricultural developments
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French. Good practical knowledge of English and other languages would be an advantage.
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Ability to work in a team and work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work effectively in partnership with clients and seek feedback to improve work processes; be able to adapt in rural areas.
• Communicate verbally and write effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Competences in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years relevant professional experience in program/project design and management, broad knowledge of all rural infrastructure, water/agriculture sub-sectors, with specific experience in implementation and management of donor-funded projects in the rural infrastructure and irrigation sub-sector;
• Previous experience working in multilateral financial institutions or similar large organizations, and performing such roles as project preparing, appraising, supervising or implementing donor funded projects;
• Proven planning and organizational skills, with ability to think strategically and rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;
• In-depth knowledge of job-related social, economic and environmental development issues in the country;
• Proven ability to interact competently with Government and donor agencies on issues relating to aid coordination; represent the Bank in the country partner meetings

Deadline: 10th October, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note:  This position is classified international status and attracts international terms and conditions of employment.