Principal Compliance & Mediation Officer Vacancy- Banking Job

* Position title: Principal Compliance & Mediation Officer
* Grade: PL-4
* Position N°: NA
* Reference: ADB/10/108
* Publication date: 05/08/2010
* Closing date: 09/09/2010

Objectives

The Independent Review Mechanism has been established for the purpose of providing people adversely affected or likely to be affected by a project financed by the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, the Nigeria Trust Fund and other Special Funds administered by the Bank with an independent mechanism through which they can request the African Development Bank Group to comply with all its own policies and procedures.

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) combines compliance review and problem-solving functions to be undertaken in accordance with the established Operating Rules and Procedures for the mechanism. The Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU) administers the IRM and is the first point of contact with the Requestors (Complainants). CRMU conducts the problem-solving exercises and administers a Roster of Experts consisting of three external experts appointed by the Boards of Directors on a 5 year non-renewable term. Upon the authorization by the Boards of Directors or the President, the Experts will form Compliance Review Panels to undertake independent compliance reviews of projects.

The Principal/Senior Compliance & Mediation Officer of the CRMU shall assist the Director in various areas, such as listed under Duties & Responsibilities below. Envisaging that most CRMU activities involve economic, environment and social issues, the Senior Compliance Officer is expected to have thorough knowledge of and experience in handling complex environmental and socio-economic problems in development of projects and in ensuring compliance with laws and institutional policies and procedures. Alternative conflict resolution mechanisms such as mediation, dialogue facilitation and conciliation are considered an important aspect of the mandate of the CRMU, particularly in dealing with involuntary resettlement and public participation issues, and as instruments of handling complaints from people adversely affected or likely to be affected by a Bank financed operation.
Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director CRMU, the Principal/Senior Compliance & Mediation Officer shall carry out the following:

* Assisting the Director of CRMU in the general management of the Independent Review Mechanism;
* Advising the Director of CRMU and the Compliance Review Panels when undertaking problem-solving activities and compliance reviews respectively;
* Preparing information and materials about the Independent Review Mechanism, including relevant information for the AfDB/IRM web site;
* Undertaking outreach activities to sensitize Bank staff, project affected people and civil society organizations on the Independent Review Mechanism;
* Familiarizing him/herself with, and collecting information on the Bank Group’s project documents policies, strategies, procedures and guidelines, relevant for use by the CRMU when screening Request and undertaking Problem-Solving exercises and Compliance Review;
* In particular be responsible for economic and social documentation, and to regularly update him/herself with all new Bank policies, strategies, rules and guidelines, as well as updating the CRMU documents accordingly, and problem-solving techniques;
* Reviewing Requests received by the CRMU for Problem-Solving and/or Compliance Review with respect to their eligibility and formal correctness;
* Preparing Reports related to the screening process of Requests for Problem-Solving and/or Compliance Review, and Reports to the Boards or the President with recommendations of whether or not to undertake a Compliance Review;
* Analyzing data and proof-reading draft reports prepared by Compliance Review Panels;
* Participating in Problem-Solving exercises, including writing Problem-Solving Reports;
* Cooperating and coordinating with other multilateral development banks and financing institutions with similar independent review mechanism on co-financed projects under review or problem solving by the IRM;
* Participating in the monitoring of the implementation of recommendations resulting from a Problem-Solving exercise or Compliance Review, as approved by the Boards or the President.
* Contributing to the preparation of the IRM Annual Reports, Progress Reports and other reports on specific cases.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

* At least a Master degree or its equivalent in social science, anthropology, sociology, development, environment, law, or related humanities field or a combination of related or equivalent studies/degrees;
* At least six (6) years of relevant professional experience respectively for PL4 and PL5 positions in social development, conflict resolution and consensus building especially in settling human and social problems in developing countries preferably in Africa;
* Experience in applying relevant public participation, social policies and other relevant policies in development of projects, such as environmental conservation and resettlement of people, and a keen interest in ensuring compliance with socio-economic policies;
* Familiar with the objectives and functions of multilateral development banks and financing institutions;
* Ability to make sound, impartial and fair judgment;
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to carry out effective dialogue with stakeholders, including government officials, project affected people, civil society organizations, and Bank staff and managers;
* Excellent writing skills and proficiency in the working languages of the Bank (French and English). For the advertised post, fluency in oral and written French is required, with working knowledge of English.


Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are being considered for interview will be contacted. Applicants will only be considered if they submit (preferably electronically, to: recruit@afdb.org) a fully completed Personal History Form (PHF), available from the Bank’s web site, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating date of birth and nationality. The President, ADB, reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level. The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.