Job Title: Chief Urban Development Specialist – Transport & ICT Department
(OITC)
Grade: PL-3
Position N°: SAP 50054426
Reference: ADB/13/033
Objectives
Contribute to boost the viability and competitiveness of African cities to
enable them foster sustainable economic and social development and to serve as
real engines of economic growth and social development. Ensure stable
conditions for the Bank‘s engagement in the African urban sector and strategic
coherence and coordination, both internally within the Bank and externally with
RMCs and the development partners in urban projects and programmes. Implement a
number of strategic activities aimed at building for the Bank an enabling
environment and capacity for effective delivery of its future urban development
assistance.
Duties and responsibilities
Under general supervision of the Director of the Transport and Communications
Department (OITC), the urban development specialist/coordinator will be in
charge of the following:
Coordinate the development of the urban activities of the Bank, in close
collaboration with the complexes, departments and units involved in urban
development projects, by:
Preparing an action plan for implementation of the Bank’s urban development
strategy, coordinating its implementation and monitoring the results
Developing a system of criteria for the selection of viable and sustainable
urban development projects and programmes;
Initiating work in the area of sub-sovereign financing, with other departments
of the Bank particularly the Chief Economist Complex, the Finance Complex, the
Operations Policies and the Private Sector Departments;
Undertaking a review of the Bank‘s staffing requirements to ensure stable
conditions for the Bank‘s engagement in the African urban sector
Strengthening partnerships and networks, with support from the Bank‘s
Partnerships Unit, to manage strategic engagement, greater concentration on
areas of comparative advantage of the Bank and enhanced collaboration with
organizations which have relevant experience and qualified staff in urban
development related subjects;
Undertaking a mid-term review of the strategy implementation to advise Bank’s
management on strategic orientations and implementation aspects, particularly
institutional arrangements for the medium to long term urban sector engagement;
Gradual scaling-up of the Bank Group‘s engagement in urban development, as its
internal capacity is strengthened
Leading field missions for purpose of consultation and supervision of flagship
urban projects and programmes.
Be a focal point for knowledge related to the urban area, by:
Generating knowledge products on financing options for urban development in
Africa;
Rapidly developing the Bank‘s internal capacities so as to take a leading role
in urban development initiatives in Africa and then realize the Bank‘s vision
of becoming the continent‘s premier development finance institution
Contributing to developing capacity in RMCs so as to ensure facilitated
implementation of urban development activities;
Ensuring more comprehensive understanding of the potential for economic
development in the urban sectors through better coordination in the planning
and implementation of urban projects and programs;
Developing an urban research programme as well as establishing an urban
development knowledge database which would be integrated into existing
structures of the Bank, in liaison with the Chief Economist Complex;
Initiating and conducting sectoral studies in the field, by developing terms of
references, researching funding, doing procurement and managing related
contracts;
Undertaking marketing and dissemination activities to build consensus among the
key stakeholders at technical levels;
Mainstreaming the urban development strategy into CSPs, RISPs and PRSPs, etc.
Being involved in developing new projects and initiatives supporting the
development of urban sector in Africa;
Preparing reports, contributions and comments on key themes related with urban
development;
Preparing documents and summary reports from the field for inclusion in other
strategic and key documents and publications of the Bank (medium-term strategy
of the Bank, annual report, exchanges with other technical and financial
partners);
Coordinate the development, monitoring and dissemination of results of the
flagship urban development projects.
Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience
A minimum of a Master’s degree or its equivalent in urban development or
closely related disciplines;
Preferably a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in
urban development;
Good knowledge of the urban development issues and challenges in Africa in
various sectors (particularly in transport, water, sewerage, energy and ICT
infrastructure);
Good understanding of urban planning, financing and administration systems as
well as institutional framework s related to transport infrastructure, on major
cross-cutting issues related thereto, including climate change.
Proven experience in urban development and coordination of similar initiatives;
Strong ability in leading the analytical work;
A proven track record of working in teams and creating an empowering and
self-development oriented work environment;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French with
a working knowledge of the other, and
Competence in the use of standard Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Access,
PowerPoint).
Deadline: 20-03-2013