Markets Development Advisory Specialist – IS 4  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of three (3) years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.. After the initial fixed period, ADB has the option to renew the appointment for up to three years or allow it to expire. This decision is based on ADB’s overall interest in retaining the skills and experience of the staff for medium-term work program within the respective group, department, or office, while considering the availability of funding sources.

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 Special Initiatives and Funds (OMSF) of the Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership (OMDP). OMDP was established to enhance the role of ADB in supporting and enabling developing member countries (DMC) to secure greater private investment and generate private sector-led growth in the region. OMDP will provide upstream and midstream advisory services and technical assistance for clients and the region leading to private investment, and development of markets (including but not limited to Creating Investable Cities (CIC), Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM), and state-owned enterprises (SOE) commercialization). OMDP will serve as a private sector development (PSD) knowledge nexus, engage in internal and external advocacy and capacity building, creating an enabling environment, project preparation and structuring, and mobilizing and catalyzing financing including market development. OMDP also has a project preparation facility that helps governments, and their private sector partners, establish a pipeline of bankable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The Asia Pacific Project Preparation Facility (AP3F) is a multi-donor trust fund aiming to increase the level of infrastructure development and enhance the quality of infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific. OMDP manages the AP3F which helps developing members to prepare a pipeline of “ready-to-finance” infrastructure projects by (i) assisting with due diligence and helping to address impediments to investment decisions; (ii) supporting project design; and (iii) assisting with project preparation, structuring, and tendering. Target sectors include energy, transport, urban development, and social infrastructure. OMDP will also support regional departments and resident missions in defining potential upstream and enabling environment support relating to PPPs and other market development initiatives and assist (as required) in the implementation of these initiatives.

This position has been created as part of the Workforce Rebalancing Framework, which is a multiyear initiative (2022-2027) aimed at increasing in-house expertise in key operational areas that was previously sourced from consultants through ADB’s technical assistance. The goal is to strengthen in-house expertise to enhance the quality of ADB’s policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by collaborating closely with DMC clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.
 

Job Purpose

The Markets Development Advisory Specialist supports operational priorities of OMSF. He/she contributes to OMSF, develops and maintains external and internal relations, stakeholders’ coordination, and knowledge management activities to accommodate PPP and PSD-related issues and challenges with innovative solutions. He/she contributes to the formulation and implementation of transactions and programs of OMDP to expedite ADB’s operations related to PPP, market development, SOEs commercialization, green and climate financing, program development and knowledge and coordination in ADB’s DMCs. He/she contributes to the implementation of the Private Sector Development shift in line with R99-22 (Organizational Review: A New Operating Model to Accelerate ADB’s Transformation Toward Strategy 2030 and Beyond).

The incumbent will report to the Director, OMSF and may supervise national and/or administrative staff.

Responsibilities

a. Strategic Coordination and Management
• Assists in the development and implementation of the revised PPP Operational Plan for ADB, and assists in driving OMSF’s strategies in line with the revised Operational Plan and ADB’s Strategy 2030.
• Participates and contributes to strategic discussions with international and multilateral organizations on matters relating to PPPs as well as ADB’s PPP operations.
• Provides support in the preparation and implementation of OMSF work plan and provides support in all OMSF technical and operational matters under the supervision and guidance of the Director, OMSF, contributing new or innovative approaches to policy and operational issues.

b. Strategic Operations Support
• Provides input in developing and maintaining thematic policies, strategies, operational plans, and directional papers.
• Supports the regional departments (RDs) and solutions departments in the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and Indicative Country Pipeline and Monitoring report (ICPM) and also in screening, selection and prioritization of (i) commercial financing for SOEs, (ii) green and climate financing, and (iii) PSD projects, as well as, analysis of the PSD enabling environment including PPP roadmaps and PPP monitors and support for solutions group analysis of PSD in their sector.
• Contributes to providing practical solutions and advice to the RDs in implementation of sovereign projects with PPP deliverables, including critical support for upstream capacity building interventions.
• Engages in PPP market research and PSD activities, identifies constraints and provides innovative solutions for fostering PPP policies/operations and regulatory frameworks in ADB’s DMCs.
• Conducts peer reviews for CPS, thematic assessments, and projects and provides advice on project implementation issues to ensure high impact solutions and outcomes through PPP.
• Performs quality assurance, including reporting to Director, OMSF on work plan progress and advising on potential issues of concern.
• Effectively coordinates with assigned Sector and Thematic Groups (STGs) to find collaborative solutions to development challenges.

c. Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing
• Defines and develops best practice and knowledge, by bringing in global/regional best practices to ADB and promoting ADB’s best practice externally.
• Supports building corporate knowledge, including reporting, briefing papers, speeches, and supports to corporate initiatives.
• Contributes to OMDP’s knowledge management activities and assists in the establishment and maintenance of PPP and PSD database for knowledge sharing with internal/external clients.

d. External Relations and Coordination
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with governments, development partners, civil society, and private sector entities within area of responsibility.

e. Internal Relations and Coordination
• Coordinates with internal stakeholders and supports regional and solutions departments to achieve their relevant targets and develop strategies and processes for PSD.
• Contributes to effective coordination and cooperation within OMDP which includes informing team members, Director, OMSF and Head, OMDP of day-to-day development, emerging opportunities and challenges, and provides recommendations accordingly in a timely manner.
• Communicates effectively and fosters an environment conducive to achieving high staff morale and motivation.

f. Staff Supervision
• Takes the role of team leader and supervises the work of team members. Demonstrates leadership and motivates reporting staff to perform at their full capacity.
• Supervises the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensures the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

g. Others
• Performs other duties as assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s annual workplan, including tasks which are directed by Director, OMSF and/or Head, OMDP from time to time.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in business administration, economics, finance or other relevant fields. A University degree in business administration, economics, finance or other related fields combined with at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in developing and implementing new products and knowledge services, including on infrastructure projects including PPPs, SOE commercialization, and climate financing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Hands-on experience of structuring project finance transactions and/or providing advisory services in various sectors and countries including negotiation and coordination among stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge about PPP and financial market products and/or robust due diligence experience and capability in implementing infrastructure/climate/SOE commercialization projects.
• Established network with financial communities including export credit agencies and investment/commercial banks.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4..

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.

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