Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Closing Date: 30 November 2022
Job Description
General Background
The OEC: The Organisation of Educational Cooperation (OEC) is an international organisation, founded in January 2020 by countries from across the Global South, to “contribute to the equitable, just, and prosperous social transformation of societies by promoting balanced and inclusive education, in order to attain the fundamental rights to liberty, justice, dignity, sustainability, social cohesion, and material and immaterial security for the peoples of the world”.
The CLUB: The Common Leveraging Union of Borrowers (CLUB) – a key instrument of the OEC – is an innovative solution to the several challenges and constraints faced today by sovereign borrowers in the Global South. The CLUB is a union of borrowing countries (OEC Member States) which have combined forces to jointly apply for development loans, oversee the national utilisation of the loan funds, and repay the borrowed amounts. This novel approach, which seeks to be operational in the next two years, has numerous potential benefits for low-income borrowers, including unhindered access to debt instruments, enhanced bargaining power in loan negotiations, and incentives for effective loan utilisation. The CLUB is hosted within the broader OEC organisation and is managed directly by the OEC’s Department of Financing for Development (FINDEV).
The main functions of FINDEV are to:
a. provide technical and policy support to Member States in developing context appropriate frameworks for the implementation of sustainable public private partnerships
b. host and support the Common Leveraging Union of Borrowers (CLUB)
c. collectively secure more favourable financing and debt relief for the CLUB members
d. reinforce the case and actively advocate for a more equitable international financial system considering the interests of Member States.
Role Summary
Under the overall authority of the Secretary-General, the guidance of the Under-Secretary-General for FINDEV, and the direct supervision of the CLUB Coordination Chief of Section, the Creditor Liaison Officer is responsible for preparing and partaking to the overall negotiations between the CLUB and the creditors. Under the direction of the CLUB Coordination Chief of Section, the Creditor Liaison Officer is responsible for liaising with creditors to achieve the best possible outcome for OEC Member States and ensure that the interests of the CLUB are taken fully into account in the loan/debt agreements with creditors. This position provides the unique opportunity of joining the core team of a new international organisation – contributing to its lasting construction and influencing its future trajectory – and an innovative international financing instrument.
Duties
- Alongside the Under-Secretary-General for FINDEV and the CLUB Coordination Chief of Section, act on behalf of the CLUB at negotiations with creditors and aims to achieve the best possible outcome for the OEC Member States
- Work closely with the CLUB Coordination Chief of Section, the Senior Country Liaison Officer and the Senior Investment Officer to review the CLUB’s loan proposals and prepare a well-planned negotiation strategy ahead of negotiations with creditors
- Travel to various locations to attend meetings with creditors along with key members of the CLUB team
- Develop solutions to negotiating issues that meet the interests of all parties by learning and understanding the creditors’ interests and comparing them to the CLUB’s mandates, needs and requirements
- Identify common behaviors/requirements among creditors, analyse data and amend loan proposals where needed
- Communicate on a regular basis with the CLUB team and other OEC departments and advise them on the status of negotiations
Competencies
- Strong knowledge of negotiation strategies and tactics and highly skilled in actively listening to other parties and responding with logical and structured arguments
- Proven track record of negotiating and/or advocating on behalf of developing countries and their financing challenges
- In depth and comprehensive knowledge of development finance and debt challenges of developing countries
- Ability to conduct themselves with a high level of tact, diplomacy, professionalism and the utmost discretion throughout the whole negotiation phases
- Ability to travel extensively, sometimes on short notice
- Strong interpersonal and organizational abilities as well as excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent cross-cultural communication and diplomatic skills
- Excellent networking and negotiation skills; credibility and confidence in relating to and dealing with people from various backgrounds
- Ability to operate sensitively and effectively in a multicultural environment and deal with cross-cultural sensitivity
Qualifications
- At least 7 years of extensive experience in development finance matters gained by working at an international financial institution, international or regional organisation and/or international development consultancy
- Master’s degree (or higher) in Economics, Finance, International Development, Political Science or related fields
Language Requirements
Candidate must at least be fluent in English and French. Additional knowledge of one or more other official languages (Arabic, Spanish) is an asset.
HOW TO APPLY
This position is open to international applicants.
All applications must be sent to HRE@OEC-OCE.ORG and must include:
- Subject line: “CLUB [JOB TITLE] – Application”
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Motivation
- Any other relevant information