Principal Investment Specialist (Climate Finance) – IS 6  

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 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 68 members.

The position is assigned to the Office of the Director General (OPSD) of the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD). PSOD provides investment capital to private sector entrepreneurs, corporates and project sponsors, as well as financial intermediaries, such as banks, throughout developing Asia and the Pacific. It catalyzes, structures, and funds investments in privately held and state-sponsored companies across a wide range of industry sectors. Its emphasis is on commercially viable transactions that generate financial returns while also delivering on ADB’s organization-wide mission to promote environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. To learn more about PSOD, watch this video.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Principal Investment Specialist (Climate Finance) will serve as PSOD’s focal for climate finance, lead the provision of support and provide expertise for all climate finance work related to private sector projects and will lead PSOD’s Climate Finance Team (CFT). The CFT focuses on delivering the strategic, well-coordinated and internally/externally integrated approach to achieving PSOD’s climate change targets and building climate and disaster resilience including financing targets and Paris Agreement alignment. The incumbent will report to Director General, PSOD.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning

• Leads and supports the improvement of the origination teams’ abilities to identify mitigation and adaptation opportunities in potential projects.
• Leads, facilitates and supports the improvement of the interactions between PSOD and other departments to help foster a One ADB approach to climate finance.
• Leads, facilitates and promotes open dialogue within and outside PSOD on climate finance opportunities.
• Leads the development, finalization and implementation of PSOD’s Climate Finance Ambition Plan (to be finalized within 2024).
• Provides leadership and guidance in the development of easy-to-understand information on climate finance opportunities.
• Leads and engages with internal and external stakeholders for all matters related to climate finance.
• Provides leadership and guidance by coordinating the provision of technical support for climate finance particularly early in the origination process.
• Provides leadership and guidance in developing opportunities in the thematically labelled bond market.
• Ensures systems for tracking climate finance performance are established and maintained.
• Leads and/or participates in interdepartmental working groups by providing inputs from PSOD’s perspective on strategic issues, with a particular focus on representing PSOD’s views on climate finance.
• Leads and engages with other relevant ADB departments for consistency on strategic issues, integration of policy commitments, and knowledge sharing.

Coordination

• Serves as PSOD’s climate finance focal for internal and external stakeholders.
• Leads, facilitates and helps strengthen relationships between PSOD and other internal stakeholders.
• Provides leadership for work with other departments to support the focus on upstream activities.
• Leads the outreach that will be needed to implement the Paris Alignment methodology for financial institutions.

Technical Support

• Leads and oversees the process of climate risk and vulnerability assessments.
• Leads and oversees the technical process of ensuring Paris alignment and the greenhouse gas accounting framework.
• Leads and provides guidance on technical assistance (TA) and oversees the consultants that provide specialist climate change support.
• Leads in providing inputs on corporate policies and procedures as they relate to climate/climate finance in the PSOD context, and oversees the preparation of relevant briefing notes.

Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Oversees the development and maintenance of climate related knowledge resources for PSOD
• Oversees the preparation of regular reports, briefing materials and presentations for internal and external audiences

Staff Supervision

• Provides leadership and support to reporting staff.
• Supervises the performance of reporting staff, provides clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance
• Ensures the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Management Support

• Performs any other tasks that the PSOD Senior Management Team may assign to support PSOD and ADB Operations.

 Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Economics, Environmental Science, Finance, Public Policy, Development, or Business Administration, or University Degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years of work experience preferably in the field of development impact assessment and evaluation, with a specific focus on private sector operations.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of climate finance with relevant working experience.
• International experience working in development in several countries, preferably in Asia and the Pacific region.
• Proven ability to work in teams and capability to work in multi-cultural environments.
• Experience in managing teams and complex projects.
• Excellent skills in data governance, advanced data processing and use of visualization tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 6.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost). 
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support. 
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.): 
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility. 
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​