The African Development Bank intends to recruit a highly qualified and experienced Program Coordinator to support the effective implementation and management of the Ending School-Age Hunger in Africa (ESAH) Trust Fund. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the ESAH Coordination Unit, including operational oversight, financial management, procurement, reporting, communication, and strategic coordination. The role will also facilitate effective engagement between the Bank and development partners, ensuring alignment with ESAH objectives and supporting the timely delivery of Trust Fund activities.
Application Close Date
2026-04-20
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
1.Agriculture
A. Background Objectives
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) was established in 1964 as the premier pan African development finance institution dedicated to promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. The Bank comprises 81 member countries, including 54 Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in Africa. Over the past decade, the Bank has operationalized its development strategy through the High 5 priorities: Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. Building on this foundation, the current leadership of the Bank has articulated four strategic cardinal priorities aimed at strengthening the institution’s effectiveness and development impact. Within this strategic context, the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department leads the continental priority on supporting investments that enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food systems, promote climate resilience, and improve rural livelihoods. The Department manages a growing portfolio of sovereign operations, regional programs, and technical assistance initiatives across multiple Regional Member Countries. Ensuring strong portfolio performance is essential to delivering development results, maintaining operational efficiency, and achieving the strategic priorities of the Bank. The Ending School-Age Hunger in Africa Trust Fund (ESAH) is a Trust Fund of the African Development Bank aimed at supporting the eradication of school-age hunger across Africa by 2030. ESAH provides grant financing to support national school feeding programmes, with a focus on ensuring the regular delivery of nutritious meals to school-age children. The Trust Fund is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). It provides catalytic resources to governments to strengthen the prioritization and implementation of school feeding as part of broader human capital development, including improved education outcomes, social protection, and gender equity while strengthening agricultural value chains, the development of local market linkages, and the adoption of efficient and sustainable delivery systems, thereby contributing to improved programme effectiveness and long-term sustainability. ESAH grants are designed to co-finance eligible AfDB operations, including ADB loans, ADF grants, and other trust fund resources. ESAH supports the scaling up of sustainable, nationally owned school feeding programmes, including through the integration of local procurement mechanisms.
B. Scope of work
The Program Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the ESAH Coordination Unit, including operational oversight, financial management, procurement, reporting, communication, and strategic coordination. The role will also facilitate effective engagement between the Bank and development partners, ensuring alignment with ESAH objectives and supporting the timely delivery of Trust Fund activities
C. Deliverables Expected
Coordinate the Trust fund’s work planning/scheduling, coordinating inputs from various functional units within the Bank and donor representatives. Coordinate the development of nutrition-smart projects in priority countries, ensuring alignment with ESAH objectives, donor prescriptions and AfDB’s strategic focus- mainly, the Ten Years Strategy 2024-2033, the Feed Africa Strategy and the Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan Coordinate program budgeting and resource execution in compliance with Bank rules and procedures and coordinate financial reporting in collaboration with the relevant units and departments within the Bank. Drive partnerships and stakeholder engagements within and outside the Bank. to elevate ESAH’s positioning and facilitate resource mobilization. Oversee the planning and execution of ESAH’s fundraising, advocacy, and communication including the production of technical and knowledge products. Coordinate the preparation of project monitoring reports, ad hoc reports and other documentation working closely with the project team. Convene and facilitate meetings with key stakeholders and partners to support smooth implementation and decision making Manage relationships and expectations between the donor and project partners ensuring effective alignment and timely flow of information Maintain effective liaison with AfDB AHAI management and technical units within the Bank, particularly the Public Health, Security and Nutrition division under the Human Capital Youth and Skills Development Department Perform any other related functions as required
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The consultancy will be for an initial period of twelve (12) months, renewable based on satisfactory performance and operational needs of the Division.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The Bank will provide the ESAH Coordinator with access to relevant internal documentation, including ESAH operational guidelines and reporting frameworks, as well as collaboration platforms and internal processes necessary to support the effective coordination and implementation of the Trust Fund. The Bank will also provide IT credentials, access to collaboration tools, and meeting facilities as required for the performance of the assignment. Where applicable, the Coordinator will also be supported with travel and logistics arrangements in line with Bank policies for official missions. The consultant will be expected to provide their own computer equipment.
The coordinator will submit monthly progress reports summarizing activities undertaken, portfolio monitoring updates, challenges identified and follow up actions. A final consultancy report summarizing work undertaken, key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations will be submitted at the end of the consultancy.
F. Duty Station
The consultant will work in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire or from a Bank office depending on operational requirements and may undertake missions to project countries when necessary.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
• A master’s degree or equivalent in Agricultural Economics, Nutrition and/or public health, food systems, agriculture, agribusiness, development economics, rural development, life sciences or a related field. • A minimum of ten (10) years in development with solid experience in project management of school feeding programs, including work with multilateral development institutions, focusing on project cycle management, policy and programming, food systems, and intersectoral integration for nutrition outcomes. • Demonstrated ability to lead high-level and strategic engagement to position school feeding within national policy and investment frameworks, including mobilizing partnerships, integrating programmes across sectors, and aligning initiatives with broader development priorities. • Demonstrated experience in implementing or monitoring school-based programmes with multisectoral units • Experience working in multicultural teams and within international organizations or companies, with a proven track record of analytical research and knowledge related to nutrition, food systems, social protection and rural development • Demonstrated experience in evidence generation to support programming, resource mobilization and decision-making in multi-sectoral development contexts. • Strong analytical skills, proven ability to work effectively in teams, resourcefulness, and excellent organizational and planning capabilities. • Experience in program portfolio management, monitoring and evaluation. • Demonstrated experience in managing/implementing agricultural and school-based nutrition programs • Excellent understanding of Bank policies, programs and projects cycle either within AfDB or with a similar development institution. • Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English and or French. A bilingual will be an advantage
H. Supervisor
The consultant will report to the Lead Partnership and Coordination, AHAI and designated Task Managers.
