Development finance recruitment specialist with 10 years supporting East and West African professionals into multilateral development bank careers | Last updated: April 2026
The African Development Bank has active vacancies open right now across multiple departments and duty stations. If you’re targeting African Development Bank jobs in April 2026, here’s a verified list of what’s currently open, what each role pays based on the AfDB grade scale, and the fastest route to submitting a strong application.
Deadlines move fast at AfDB — several roles posted in early April close before the end of the month. Read through, identify your fit, and apply directly.
Why African Development Bank Jobs Are Worth Your Serious Attention
AfDB is not just another development employer. The Bank works with governments across the continent, helping in critical areas from policy advice to the identification, preparation, appraisal, and supervision of development projects — spanning infrastructure, private sector development, gender equality, climate change, and regional integration. African Development Bank Group
Established in 1964, AfDB is the premier pan-African development institution, with 81 member states including 54 African countries. African Development Bank Group That scale makes it one of the most career-defining institutions you can work for if you’re committed to African development.
On salary: gross annual salaries for internationally recruited roles kick off around USD 85,000 for entry-level Young Professional grades, with senior leadership positions reaching well over USD 200,000 — before tax-free benefits are added. Mdbjobs For Kenyan and East African professionals, that’s a compensation bracket that very few local employers can match.
As of mid-March 2026, AfDB had already advertised 85 opportunities on major job boards — and hiring continues into April and May. Devex
All applications go through the AfDB careers portal. Every vacancy listed here was sourced directly from that official channel.
African Development Bank Job 1: Administrative Assistant – Operations Division, ALSF | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (AfDB Headquarters) Grade: GS6 (General Service — Local Staff) Position Number: 50104679 Posting Date: 10 April 2026 Closing Date: 19 April 2026 ⚠️ Urgent — closes this month Contract Type: Regular
About This Role
The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) is an international organisation established by a Treaty in 2008, hosted by the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. UNjobs The Administrative Assistant for the Operations Division provides executive-level administrative and logistical support to senior ALSF staff, including meeting coordination, document management, and stakeholder correspondence.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage schedules, correspondence, and travel logistics for the Operations Division leadership
- Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, and maintain divisional records in line with AfDB document management standards
- Handle procurement of office supplies and ensure administrative compliance with AfDB procedures
- Liaise with other AfDB departments and external legal counterparts on operational matters
Required Qualifications A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Commerce, Administration, or a related discipline — preferably supplemented with courses in Administration, Office Management, or Secretarial studies. A minimum of five years of progressively relevant experience in an executive office, preferably within an international organisation. UNjobs
Bilingual proficiency in English and French is essential. Strong organisational and multi-tasking skills required.
Important Note: This position does not attract international terms and conditions. The post holder will be considered as local staff. UNjobs You must be a citizen of an AfDB member country to apply.
Salary Range GS6 positions at AfDB Headquarters are benchmarked against the Abidjan local market. Gross monthly compensation for this grade typically ranges from XOF 900,000 to XOF 1,350,000 (approximately USD 1,450–2,200), plus medical insurance and pension benefits.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal before 19 April 2026. Search vacancy by Position Number: 50104679.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
African Development Bank Job 2: Administrative Assistant – Corporate Affairs Division, ALSF | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (AfDB Headquarters) Grade: GS6 (General Service — Local Staff) Position Number: 50096188 Posting Date: 10 April 2026 Closing Date: 19 April 2026 ⚠️ Urgent — closes this month Contract Type: Regular
About This Role
This is the second ALSF administrative vacancy posted on the same date, sitting within the Corporate Affairs Division rather than Operations. The Corporate Affairs team manages governance, communications, and stakeholder relations for the ALSF — a fast-paced environment that interfaces with AfDB’s Boards of Directors, member state representatives, and external legal and financial institutions.
ALSF’s main objectives include assisting AfDB’s Regional Member Countries to address litigation brought against them by external funds, creating an avenue for RMCs to access technical advice when negotiating complex commercial transactions especially in infrastructure and natural resources, and investing in the training of legal counsel from member countries. UNjobs
Key Responsibilities
- Provide executive support to the Director and senior ALSF Corporate Affairs staff
- Coordinate governance meetings including Board sessions, prepare briefing files, and manage official correspondence
- Maintain the ALSF’s stakeholder database and coordinate communication activities
- Support event planning, logistical coordination, and internal reporting requirements
Required Qualifications Same as the Operations Division role: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant administrative or business field, minimum five years of international organisation experience, strong English and French communication skills.
Must demonstrate a high level of integrity, moral values, discretion, and confidentiality. UNjobs
Salary Range Equivalent GS6 local staff package as the Operations Division role. Benchmarked against the Abidjan market.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal before 19 April 2026. Search by Position Number: 50096188.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
African Development Bank Job 3: 2026 Internship Programme – Session 2 | Multiple Locations
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Locations: AfDB Headquarters (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire) + Regional and Country Offices across Africa Posting Date: 25 March 2026 Closing Date: Closed for applications (deadline passed 10 April 2026) — check portal for any extension Duration: 3–6 months | Session starts July 2026 Stipend: Monthly stipend provided (amount varies by duty station)
About This Programme
The AfDB runs two internship sessions per year. The selection process for Session 1 of the 2026 Internship Programme is complete and selected interns are already onboard. This announcement covers Session 2, which begins in July 2026. UNjobs
If you’re a recent graduate or current postgraduate student from an AfDB member country, this is the most direct route into the AfDB system. Competition is high — apply early and tailor your CV specifically to the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy priorities.
Eligibility Participants must be nationals of AfDB member countries. They must provide a letter from their institution confirming enrolment, or a copy of a relevant degree certificate. Applicants must be fluent in at least one of the Bank’s two working languages — English or French — and be able to use standard software packages including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Knowledge of SAP is desirable. African Development Bank Group
Selected interns may work remotely or on-site depending on the needs of the assigned unit. Interns working remotely must have a personal computer and reliable internet access. Interns cover their own travel and living expenses for in-person placements. African Development Bank Group
Disciplines in Demand Based on the Bank’s current strategic focus, interns are sought in: economics, finance, energy and climate, gender and social development, infrastructure, private sector development, agriculture, and IT.
Important Note Applicants should not expect the internship to lead to immediate employment with the Bank. However, AfDB does use the programme to identify candidates for future recruitment. UNjobs Many current AfDB staff started as interns.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal. If the deadline has passed, set an alert for Session 1 of the 2027 programme.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
African Development Bank Job 4: Senior Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships Officer, FIRM.2 | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (AfDB Headquarters) Grade: PL4 (International Professional) Contract Type: Regular Closing Date: Verify exact deadline on the AfDB careers portal
About This Role
The Senior Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships Officer role sits within the Financial Management and Reporting department. LinkedIn This is a senior international professional position focused on growing and managing AfDB’s donor relationships, trust fund portfolio, and replenishment processes for the African Development Fund (ADF).
This role is well suited to East African professionals who have worked in development finance, donor coordination, or international fundraising — particularly those with exposure to the African Development Fund’s Regional Member Countries or multilateral grant frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead negotiations and strategic engagement with bilateral and multilateral donors contributing to ADF replenishments and thematic trust funds
- Develop resource mobilisation strategies, concept notes, and partnership agreements
- Monitor and report on the performance of trust fund portfolios under FIRM.2’s oversight
- Represent AfDB in high-level donor meetings and development finance forums
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in finance, economics, international relations, or a related field
- Minimum six years of progressively responsible experience in resource mobilisation, development finance, or donor relations within an international organisation
- Proven track record of managing multi-donor partnerships and complex grant portfolios
- Fluency in English; working knowledge of French strongly preferred for this Abidjan-based role
Salary Range PL4 is a mid-senior international professional grade. Based on AfDB’s published 2025 compensation data, PL2 roles (two grades above this) paid between USD 150,000 and USD 209,000 annually. Devex PL4 salaries typically fall in the USD 95,000–130,000 gross annual range, denominated in the Bank’s Unit of Account (UA), with benefits including education grants, medical insurance, relocation allowance, and home leave travel.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal. Search by role title or browse the Finance Specialists job family.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
African Development Bank Job 5: Director – Gender, Women and Civil Society Department (AHGC0) | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (AfDB Headquarters) Grade: EL5 / Director level Contract Type: Regular Closing Date: Verify exact deadline on the AfDB careers portal
About This Role
The Director of the Gender, Women and Civil Society Department leads AfDB’s institutional commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment across the continent. LinkedIn This is an executive-level appointment that reports directly to a Vice President, with responsibility for shaping Bank-wide policy, managing a large multidisciplinary team, and overseeing flagship gender programmes including AFAWA — the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa.
This role will appeal to senior African professionals who have led gender or social development functions at a major development bank, UN agency, or INGO at the regional or continental level.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership on gender mainstreaming across all AfDB operations and sector departments
- Oversee the AFAWA programme, which bridges the gender gap in access to finance for women-owned businesses across Africa
- Lead civil society engagement strategy, ensuring meaningful participation of African CSOs in Bank-funded projects
- Manage the department’s budget, staff performance, and donor relationships
- Represent AfDB at continental and global gender forums
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in gender studies, development economics, social policy, or a related field
- Minimum 15 years of senior-level experience in gender and development, with a significant portion in leadership roles
- Demonstrated ability to manage large, multicultural teams and complex institutional relationships
- Excellent communication skills in English and French
Salary Range Director-level positions at AfDB carry significant compensation. In 2025, Director Corporate Programs (EL5) positions were paid between USD 200,580 and USD 274,795 annually. Devex Benefits include full relocation support, education grants, and comprehensive health coverage.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal. Search by department code AHGC0 or role title.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
African Development Bank Job 6: Regional Non-Sovereign Operations Lead, PIVP | 6 Openings, Multiple Locations
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Locations: Multiple AfDB Regional Offices (6 openings — specific offices to confirm on portal) Grade: PL3–PL2 (Senior International Professional) Contract Type: Regular Closing Date: Verify on the AfDB careers portal
About This Role
The Regional Non-Sovereign Operations (NSO) Lead sits within the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation Vice-Presidency (PIVP). LinkedIn Six positions are open simultaneously — a major hiring push reflecting AfDB’s growing private sector portfolio under new President Sidi Ould Tah, whose stated priority is private investment mobilisation and job creation across Africa.
NSO Leads are essentially investment officers. You’ll originate, structure, and supervise private sector transactions — equity, debt, guarantees — in your assigned regional markets. For East African professionals, postings to regional offices covering Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, or the broader Eastern Africa cluster are especially relevant.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead origination and due diligence on non-sovereign lending and equity transactions in assigned regional markets
- Manage a portfolio of private sector investments from approval through to completion and close-out
- Build and maintain relationships with private sector clients, co-investors, development finance institutions, and national governments
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior NSO team members in the regional office
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in finance, economics, business administration, or law
- Minimum eight years of investment banking, private equity, or development finance experience with direct deal origination experience
- Strong financial modelling and credit analysis skills
- Experience in African markets strongly preferred; French language skills an advantage for West/Central African postings
Salary Range PL3 roles typically pay USD 115,000–145,000 gross annually in UA-denominated packages, plus post adjustment, mobility allowance, and full benefits. PL2 roles (for the most senior candidates) range from USD 152,000 upwards based on published 2025 AfDB compensation data.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal. Six openings are available — confirm specific duty stations on the portal.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
African Development Bank Job 7: Director – Water Development and Sanitation Department (AHWS) | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Location | Deadline | Contract Type
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Grade: EL5 (Director) Contract Type: Regular Closing Date: Verify on the AfDB careers portal
About This Role
The Director of the Water Development and Sanitation Department leads AfDB’s entire water sector portfolio LinkedIn — one of the Bank’s largest and most visible operational departments. This covers rural and urban water supply, sanitation and hygiene, water resource management, and the Bank’s commitments under its Ten-Year Strategy priority of building climate-resilient infrastructure.
Water sector financing is a core AfDB business line across Africa. East African professionals with a senior background in WASH programming, water infrastructure finance, or water governance policy at a multilateral or major INGO would be strongly competitive for this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Set the strategic direction for AfDB’s water sector investment pipeline across all 54 Regional Member Countries
- Oversee a department of economists, engineers, and sector specialists delivering a multi-billion-dollar project portfolio
- Represent AfDB in global water and sanitation policy forums, donor coordination platforms, and climate finance discussions
- Drive resource mobilisation for the Bank’s water sector trust funds and co-financing arrangements
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in water engineering, environmental science, development economics, or public policy
- At least 15 years of senior leadership experience in water sector development or infrastructure finance
- Strong track record at Director or equivalent level within a multilateral, bilateral donor, or major INGO
- Bilingual (English and French) preferred
Salary Range Director-level EL5 compensation mirrors other Director roles at AfDB — in the USD 200,000–275,000 gross annual range based on published salary data, with full executive benefits package.
How to Apply Apply via the AfDB careers portal. Search by department code AHWS or role title.
This vacancy was sourced from the AfDB official careers portal.
How to Apply for African Development Bank Jobs in April 2026
Every AfDB vacancy requires an application through the official AfDB careers portal. The Bank does not accept email applications, WhatsApp submissions, or applications through recruitment agencies. If anyone is asking for a fee to help you apply, report it — AfDB has published clear warnings that it never charges fees at any stage of recruitment.
Here’s the standard process for April 2026 vacancies:
Step 1: Create or log into your profile on the AfDB careers portal at afdb.org/en/about/careers.
Step 2: Search by vacancy title, position number, or job family. For the ALSF roles closing on 19 April, search the position numbers directly (50104679 and 50096188).
Step 3: Complete the online application in full. Incomplete applications are automatically rejected. The system does not allow partial saves and re-submissions after the deadline.
Step 4: Attach your CV (two-page maximum for professional roles), a targeted cover letter in English or French, and copies of your academic credentials. For director-level roles, also prepare a leadership statement.
Step 5: Submit before the closing date. AfDB systems close at midnight Abidjan time (GMT/UTC) on the stated deadline date — not midnight in your local time zone.
Step 6: AfDB acknowledges all applications but only contacts shortlisted candidates. Timelines from application to interview can range from six to fourteen weeks for professional staff roles.
For guidance on building a competitive AfDB application, including what competency frameworks the Bank uses in interviews, read our guide to international jobs for East African professionals. You can also review AfDB’s full list of job families and active vacancies on the AfDB careers portal.
AfDB Grade and Salary Scale — Quick Reference for April 2026
Understanding AfDB’s grading system before you apply saves you from targeting the wrong roles.
AfDB splits its workforce into two main categories: Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS), graded on the Professional Level (PL) scale and hired from a global talent pool; and Locally Recruited Staff (LRS), comprising General Service (GS) and Local Professional (LP) staff hired within a specific duty station and benchmarked against local market conditions. Mdbjobs
PL6 to PL7 are the main entry points for professionals — the Young Professional programme brings new talent in at PL6. The GS scale runs from GS4 to GS8, covering administrative and operational support roles. Mdbjobs
For the roles in this roundup: the two ALSF Administrative Assistant positions are GS6 local staff contracts. The NSO Lead roles are PL3/PL2 international professional contracts. The Director-level roles (Gender/Civil Society and Water) are EL5 executive appointments — some of the most competitive positions in African development finance.
The ILO Global Wage Report provides useful regional context on professional salary benchmarks across Africa if you’re comparing AfDB offers against local employer packages.
More African Development Bank and Development Finance Jobs on ActiveJobs
- Browse all current international jobs for Africans — including World Bank, AfDB, and IFC positions
- Explore NGO jobs in Kenya — updated every week with verified East Africa vacancies
- Check the full list of UN jobs in East Africa — covering UNDP, UNEP, UNHCR, and AfDB country office roles
The World Bank careers page and IFC careers page are also worth bookmarking alongside AfDB — these three institutions share significant operational overlap and frequently recruit the same professional profiles.
