Associate Project Officer

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in 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 to the Financial Sector Office (SD-FIN) within the Sectors Department 3 (SD3). SD3 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in finance, human and social development, and public sector management and governance in the region and with ADB’s clients. SD3, which is comprised of three sector offices, delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally.    

FIN leads policy development and dialogue, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance (TA) processing and administration in the financial sector.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines. 

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

Your Role

As an Associate Project Officer, you will provide support and coordination to the portfolio performance of the division 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, administration, and 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 FIN 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, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks, and (vii) conducting review missions with the government counterpart.
• Analyze the team’s financial sector portfolio performance, project administration workload, and provide guidance to other members of the team. Closely coordinate with the project administration teams across the sector office.
• Contribute to the analysis and review of mission reports and aide memoires, progress reports, and other available project performance indexes on a regular basis and ensure quality through conducting special loan or TA review missions, and prepare country portfolio review missions and tripartite portfolio review meetings. 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 project administration issues. 
• Review loan/grant/TA processing and administration documents to be endorsed and approval by the designated Technical International staff and Director, SG-FIN, following established quality assurance guidelines and relevant policies.   
• Engage in dialogue with government officials and key stakeholders of the FIN 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 FIN loans and TAs.
• Organize, contribute, support, and participate in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops, related to the finance sector. 
• 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 FIN sector, analyzing financial, institutional, or economic uses, and preparing reports on the subjects.
• Provide support to priority initiatives of the finance sector office, such as the capital market development pilot in the Philippines and other operations to promote capital market development in ADB’s DMCs, including through policy dialogue and knowledge events.   
• Participate in and contribute to country programming and review missions to monitor performance of FIN sector projects, including preparation of the related pre- and post-mission documentation. 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, economics, engineering, public administration, or related disciplines; preferably with advanced training.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in project management and implementation in the financial sector.
• 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.
• Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.
• 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.

This position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB’s in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce.  The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful applicants may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other departments or offices, when required. 

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years, or up to the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, for the purpose(s) and conditions determined by ADB, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for up to an additional 3 years or not renewed. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including but not limited to the requirement of Staff’s particular blend of skills and experience for the medium-term work program of the organizational unit, sufficient funding to cover the renewed period, and Staff’s performance and suitability for employment. There is no limit to the number of renewals up to NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

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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ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

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