Chief Operations Officer

• Position title: Chief Operations Officer
• Grade: PL-3
• Position N°: 50071241
• Reference: ADB/13/126
• Publication date: 21/08/2013
• Closing date: 12/09/2013

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Objectives

The Operations Committee (OPSCOM) is an integral component of the Bank’s Operational organizational structure, tasked to ensure that policies and investment proposals are aligned with Bank strategy and mandate; and serves as the forum for senior Management review and resolution of policy issues affecting operations. OPSCOM permanent members include the three Operations Vice Presidents, the Finance Vice President, the Chief Economist, the Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of the President, the Secretary General and the General Counsel, with the Chief Operating Officer & Vice President as the Chair. Senior management from across the Bank Group participates on a regular basis through the presentation of their investment or policy proposals.  A team of Operations Officers support the work of OPSCOM.

The key work objectives of the Operations Officer include:  

• Program agenda  for OPSCOM meetings, and use discretion to decline those items that are not ready for OPSCOM consideration;
• Prepare/consolidate timely and accurate information on OPSCOM deliberations ;
• Prepare briefs for the Chair and members of OPSCOM, including recommendations on treatment/further processing of proposals;
• Monitor key aspects of Bank Group Operations working in close collaboration with the front offices of the three Operations Vice Presidencies, as well as with key units across the Bank;
• Support implementation of key initiatives and participate on behalf of the OPSCOM in working groups, task forces, and other special initiatives;
• Coordinate production of consolidated strategically driven operations plans and budgets;
• Undertake special projects as requested.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports of OPSCOM for Senior Management.

To deliver this work plan, the Operations Officer will be housed in Operations Committee Secretary (OPSC). He/her reports to the Director OPSC and is assigned to support OPSCOM in fulfilling its duties.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Director OPSC, the Chief Operations Officer will have the responsibility for undertaking high quality corporate assessment of operations proposals and implementation, to provide OPSCOM guidance and recommendations. His/her major role will be: providing to OPSCOM high quality advisory support on operations under development and execution, on cross operations issues and policy matters to allow decision-making and policy level actions. The Chief Operations Officer will have responsibility for managing the OPSCOM review process, as well as for communicating and monitoring OPSCOM information.

Specific Duties:

• Ensure systematic internal review of operations and policy-related proposals to assure alignment with strategic objectives, quality standards, readiness, and compliance with Bank policies; provide OPSCOM with concise briefs of these proposals.
• Maintain accurate consolidated information on key aspects of Bank Group operations, both under execution and in development, including: project processing and delivery schedules, portfolio performance and supervision, resource allocations and usage, and all other operations-level performance benchmarks.  Identify issues for senior management attention, and provide analysis and recommendations as appropriate.
• Contribute to preparation of consolidated, strategically driven and coordinated annual operations plans and budgets on the basis of inputs from the three Operations Complexes, other Bank complexes and strategic guidance from OPSCOM members.  Provide OPSCOM members with analysis and recommendations to allow policy-level guidance and decision-making.
• Produce and/or coordinate analysis, briefing material, and recommendations for OPSCOM on cross-Operations issues and policy matters on an ad hoc basis as requested by OPSCOM.
• Manage the OPSCOM review process for operations; prepare OPSCOM meetings, agendas and attendance, managing the flow and distribution of material to members of OPSCOM and concerned departments.
• Ensure effective communication of OPSCOM decisions, and tracking of implementation. Provide OPSCOM members with regular reports on implementation of OPSCOM recommendations.
• Act as a source of information and guidance to country and project teams as may be necessary in implementation of OPSCOM decisions.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant development discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in the design and execution of projects, programs and policies within the Bank.
• Ability to work effectively across institutional boundaries
• Rigorous, results-oriented individual, with strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
• An aptitude for developing practical solutions, and balancing long- and short-term trade-offs
• Strong communicator (oral and written), with proven report writing skills.
• Ability to manage heavy workloads as well as multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands, priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues.
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French and/or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

http://www.afdb.org/en/careers/current-vacancies/vacancy/chief-operations-officer-1749/