Objectives
The Regional Integration Policy and Strategy (RIPoS) approved in November 2014 provides the strategic direction of the NEPAD, Regional Integration & Trade Department (ONRI). The key pillars of the RIPoS are: 1) infrastructure development (with emphasis on soft infrastructure); 2) Trade & Industrialization; and 3) institutional capacity building as a cross-cutting pillar. The RIPoS aims to develop larger African markets and remove barriers that hinder Africa’s competiveness in global trade.
The objective of the Regional Integration and Trade Division is to implement activities that support regulatory and policy reforms, as well as, institutional capacity development to promote single markets, ensure movement of goods and services across borders for Africa’s economic integration and global trade. The division’s priority focus areas include: a) trade facilitation and support to infrastructure investments b) trade policy and capacity support; c) investment attraction & value chain diagnostics, d) Services trade with emphasis on cross-border trade in skills; and e) financial integration.
The division collaborates with other units in the Bank to deliver integrated solutions, as well as with other international organisations. Specifically, the division works closely with the Africa Union and its related agencies to implement Africa’s continental frameworks including the CFTA, BIAT, PIDA and Agenda 2063.
In addition the division also hosts the Africa Trade Fund (AfTra) which currently has a pipeline of 22 approved projects largely focusing on trade facilitation, market development and knowledge generation.

Duties and responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Director NEPAD, Regional Integration and Trade Department, the Division Manager (ONRI.2) will perform the following duties and responsibilities:
• Develop programs and policies aimed at fulfilling the mandate given to the Bank by the African Union in the execution of BIAT, CFTA, Agenda 2063;
• Work closely with the infrastructure and regional departments in mainstreaming trade in their operations in line with the Bank’s 10-year strategy;
• Lead the implementation of soft infrastructure interventions in the transport, energy, water and ICT sectors;
• Operationalise pillar 2 of the Bank Group’s Regional Integration Policy and Strategy (RIPoS).
• AfDB’s Trade representative and interface at international level.
• Ensure that the division maintains a mix and level of skills appropriate to the evolving operational needs of the Bank;
• Assist countries/regions integrate trade and regional integration as part of their development agendas;
• Identify and design projects that are consistent with the Mandate given to the Bank through various Pan African initiatives;
• Develop programs aimed at supporting capacity building for Regional Economic Communities (RECs) specialized sector institutions & Regional Member Countries (RMCs);
• Develop programs aimed at supporting trade and transit facilitation measures in Africa;
• Accountable for delivering high-quality and timely results
• Contribute to the joint efforts of the African Union Commission and United Economic Commission for Africa to develop more productive dialogue with the international community for the development of the African continent.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience
• A minimum of a Master’s degree in International Trade, Economics, Law, business administration, finance, economics, Social Sciences or other relevant fields;
• A minimum of 8 years of extensive and progressive experience in International trade or other regional integration areas, with preferably a minimum of 3 years’ experience at a managerial level.
• Demonstrated superior leadership qualities, technical excellence and an established operational track record of excellence in achieving results;
• Strategic mindset; strong capacity to analyze actions from the perspectives of stakeholders and translate strategic thinking into compelling plan of action;
• Strong written and oral communication skills with proven experience in dealing with the media, external constituencies and expert groups;
• Deep technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: trade, industrial policy, investment, export promotion, value chains or African regional integration initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to take prudent business risks and make effective, timely and well-determined decisions;
• Evidence of ability to build and lead motivated and committed teams across functional boundaries, and utilize talent and expertise of team members in a productive way;
• Demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas; a good listener; and cultural sensitivity, commitment to diversity and capacity to initiate and manage innovations and change;
• Ability to build partnership with a broad range of clients and deliver results that meet the needs and long-term interests of clients within and outside the institution;
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint);
• Excellent written and verbal communications in French and/or English with a working knowledge of the other language (proficiency in both languages is an added advantage).

The African Development Bank has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to assist with this appointment. To apply, please send a full CV together with a supporting statement, briefly highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role, to responses@russellreynolds.com Please quote the role title in the subject heading of the email.