The Agence française de développement (AFD) - the French Development Agency - is a French public development institution that has been working for more than 75 years to implement the French Government’s aid policy in emerging and developing countries. Through a network of 85 local offices, AFD operates in 109 countries providing project finance and assistance to central and local governments, public entities and private enterprises, NGOs, banks and financial institutions. In 2017, AFD provided commitments of EUR 10.4 billion through 750 newly supported projects under the form of loans, grants, technical assistance, guarantees or equity investment. It is currently implementing a portfolio of 3,600 development projects worldwide.

AFD started operating in Bangladesh in 2012 and opened an office in Dhaka in 2013. It provides support to projects contributing to “green and inclusive growth”, with a specific focus on sustainable development and climate finance. It is involved in urban development and infrastructures (including transport, water and sanitation), green energy (energy efficiency and renewable energy) and corporate and social responsibility in the garment sector. AFD has committed so far 10 projects for a total amount of nearly EUR 370 million and plans to increase its portfolio to over EUR 600 million by mid-2019. Those projects are mainly sovereign concessional loans, some of which being accompanied by grants delegated to AFD by the European Union.

In order to support the development of its activities in Bangladesh, AFD is seeking to recruit a Project Officer.

The position will be based in Dhaka (Banani) and the occupant will report directly to the Country Director.

The Project Officer will be employed by a Service Provider and outsourced to AFD on a contractual basis.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Supports AFD operations in Bangladesh within AFD (in relation with Head Office)and with local stakeholders and authorities, at every phase of the decision process for new projects (screening, appraisal, approval) as well as during the financing agreements negotiation, projects implementation and portfolio management: meetings with local stakeholders and reporting, organization of and participation in missions by team leaders, due diligence, internal reviews and evaluation
• Supports the processing of disbursement requests under loans and grants
• Maintains and develops relationship with central government authorities and public bodies in relation with the screening, appraisal and implementation of AFD-funded projects
• Maintains and develops relationship with other development partners in Bangladesh, ensures proper coordination with co-financiers and participates to aid coordination meetings
• Identifies new project opportunities with specific focus on new sectors for AFD in Bangladesh (including blue economy and environment protection, renewable energy, sanitation and urban development in secondary cities)
• Monitors the national administrative, legislative and regulatory context for a selection of sectors
• Contributes to the preparation of internal notes about AFD activities and projects in Bangladesh
• Supports the communication activities(including local media watch and reporting on covered sectors)

Qualifications and requirements:

• Advanced university degree in business, finance or engineering
• Project preparation and management; advanced notions in public procurement appreciated
• Experience in priority sectors of AFD in Bangladesh
• Financial and credit skills
• At least 8 years in similar position or other relevant professional experience, preferably in international organizations
• Ability to work in multi-cultural organization and to interact with high-level contacts (including Government officials)
• Strong commitment to development and environmental goals
• Hard-worker, strong initiative and autonomy, result-oriented and constructive mind, interpersonal skills
• Fluent in Bangla and English with excellent written and verbal communication; French notions desirable

Women are specially encouraged to apply.