Associate Project Officer

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Associate Project Officer is assigned in the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SD2-AFNR) within the Sectors Department 2 (SD2). SD2 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB's strategic agenda in the region. SD2, which is comprised of SD2-AFNR, the Water and Urban Development Sector Office, and the Digital Sector Office: delivers or supports sovereign, non-sovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with ADB's developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB's technical leadership internally and externally.

SD2-AFNR leads policy development and dialogue, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance (TA) processing and administration in the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the designated Technical International staff and senior Technical Local staff (as applicable).

Your Role

As an Associate Project Officer, you will provide support and coordination to the portfolio performance of the South Asia, and Agriculture Value Chain and Nutrition Team by performing specific responsibilities. You will work independently and collaboratively to carry out a full spectrum of operational, analytical, knowledge and other support for the effective functioning of the team. You will provide technical assistance in project processing and administration including contract administration.

You will:

• Support the processing, implementation, and administration of investment projects, TA projects, and assist in portfolio management and sector work and activities, focusing on the AFNR Sector.
• Support portfolio management and project administration with tasks including, but not limited to: (i) monitoring the progress of assigned projects and preparing project performance reports; (ii) preparing annual forecasts of contract awards and disbursement, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls, and expediting achievements of target levels; (iii) identifying issues related to project implementation and taking action in close coordination with executing agencies (EAs), implementing agencies (IAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; (iv) preparing measures and implementing them to address the issues; (v) preparing internal procurement papers, reviewing procurement documents including draft technical designs and cost estimates, and papers for extension of loan closing dates; (vi) reallocating loan proceeds, drafting memos for changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and conducting other project administration tasks, and (viii) conducting review missions with the government counterpart.
• Contribute to the analysis and review of mission reports including memorandums of understanding and aide memoires, progress reports, and other available project performance indexes on a regular basis and ensure quality through missions, email communications, virtual meetings, etc. Contribute to addressing project administration red flags for timely corrective actions.
• Monitor annual forecasts of contract awards and disbursement, identify factors responsible for shortfalls, and analyze issues related to project implementation through interaction with EAs, contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries, and prepare measures to address the project administration issues
• Review loan/grant/TA processing and administration documents to be endorsed and approved by the designated Technical International staff and Director, SD-AFNR, following established quality assurance guidelines and relevant policies.
• Engage in dialogue with government officials and key stakeholders of the AFNR sector, including the private sector and civil society.
• Maintain effective liaison and working relationship with government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed AFNR loans, grants, and TAs.
• Organize, contribute, support, and participate in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops, related to water and urban development sectors.
• Participate in and contribute to project inception, review, mid-term review, special loan administration missions, and project completion review missions, as required.
• Contribute to sector assessments and provide appropriate advice on project procurement and sector policies and institutional reforms.
• Provide guidance and support in project processing missions in designing project implementation arrangements, including procurement/disbursement procedures and project management set up, and review of financing plans.
• Contribute to sector work in the field by assisting in conducting research, updating information on the AFNR sector, analyzing financial, institutional, or economic uses, and preparing reports on the subjects.
• Participate in and contribute to country programming and review missions to monitor performance of AFNR sector projects, as necessary. Facilitate timely processing and approval of assistance pipeline (loans, TAs, and grants).
• Support in undertaking knowledge management products for the team and knowledge sharing.
• Mentor and support junior Technical Local staff.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the workplan.

You will need:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration or related fields; preferably with advanced training.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in operations in the AFNR sector.
• Operational experience with South Asia projects is preferred.
• Strong analytical ability to undertake research and analysis, collect and organize data and information, and draft documents.
• Experience and knowledge of various stages of the project cycle (project planning / feasibility analysis / detailed design / project implementation / construction supervision / contract management) is desirable.
• Sound knowledge of government administrative systems and procedures.
• Familiarity with accepted best practices of procurement and disbursement processes
• Strong capacity for teamwork. Ability to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member, skills to liaise and collaborate with colleagues throughout ADB, and strong willingness and capacity to guide more junior and less experienced colleagues.
• Excellent capabilities in relationship management; strong client orientation; effective communication skills; solid strong problem solving and solution-oriented approaches; and strong responsiveness, flexibility, reliability, and professionalism.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TL4.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB's standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Paid leave (including parental)
• Medical and health benefits
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development
• Retirement plan
• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

Selected applicants will be subject to a one-year probationary period.

This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may, at the option of ADB, be extended once for up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on its expiration date. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB that: (a) it will require Staff’s particular blend of skills and experience in the foreseeable future; and (b) Staff’s performance is satisfactory and they are suitable for further employment.  

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 members, 50 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

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