Associate Project Officer

The Associate Project Officer position is assigned to the Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA) within the Sectors Group (SG). This position will be outposted to Pacific Subregional Office (SPSO) in Suva, Fiji.

You will report to the Director or designated International Staff (IS) in the Transport Sector office. You will have matrix reporting to the Regional Director, SPSO or designated IS and will oversee administrative staff within the division.

As an Associate Project Officer, you will support the project /technical assistance (TA) processing and administration, portfolio management, sector work, and other general activities covering public and private sector operations with focus on assigned sector(s).

Project and TA Preparation, Appraisal and Administration:

• Support the processing and administration of specific loans and TAs, actively take initiative and responsibility to engage with resident mission, headquarters and field offices of ADB, government agencies, development partners, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate the successful formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and TA projects.
• Facilitate work planning, delivery and reviews with the team.
• Monitor the progress of assigned projects and prepare project performance reports.
• Prepare and update forecasts of contract awards and disbursements, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls and expediting achievement of target levels where possible.
• Identify issues and take actions to address them through interactions with executing agencies (EAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepare measures to address the issues and implement the measures.
• Prepare internal procurement papers, review of procurement documents including draft technical designs and cost estimates, and papers for extension of loan closing dates, reallocation of loan proceeds, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks.
• Provide advice to government ministries, EAs and sector entities on ADB guidelines on procurement, recruitment of consultants, preparation of tender documents, etc. to ensure effective implementation.
• Assist EAs in the areas listed above for project administered by various sector divisions in the HQ.
• Assist in the preparation of Project Completion Reports and TA Completion Reports as assigned.
• Provide support for policy dialogues with government on policy matters and institutional issues.
• Maintain close cooperation with other international donors and undertake meetings and consultations with them, especially in areas relating to donor coordination and harmonization in sector work
• Contribute to sector work in the field by assisting in conducting research, updating information on the assigned sector, analyzing financial, institutional or economics uses, and preparing reports on the subjects.
• Support transport sector focal in the Country Management Teams to identify or propose solutions for any ongoing or emerging issues related to country programming, project, or portfolio performance.
• Assist in the preparation of sector assessments within the context of development aid effectiveness and national sector strategy to be utilized for programming purposes.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge base of future government investment plans and approval processes, organizational structure and policies relevant to the assigned sectors.
• Prepare inputs for sector database for portfolio management.
• Where required, act as the focal point for the assigned sector(s) and maintain close relationships with the relevant government agencies and HQ staff.

Other Operational Support:

• Help organize, contribute to, support, and participate in meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops and Country Portfolio Reviews.
• Organize and conduct training workshops for EAs in areas relating to procurement and project administration/management.
• Produce reports, as required, on the tasks undertaken in relation to the above.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.
• Represent the RM or ADB in business opportunities.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in related disciplines; preferably with advanced training
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in project management and implementation. Familiarity with transport sector projects will be valued.
• Experience & 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
• Effective report-writing and communication skills in English

Source:  https://www.adb.org/careers/240417