Principal Country Specialist – IS 6  

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 is assigned to ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji (SPSO) within the Pacific Department (PARD). PARD is responsible for maintaining client relations, delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Pacific region, and coordinating with development partners. SPSO was established in 2004 and is responsible for country programming, processing and implementation of projects in various sectors of projects for Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. SPSO is also providing oversight for the administrative, financial, and country operations in the five pacific country offices in the South Pacific.

The incumbent reports to the Regional Director, SPSO and supervises National and Administrative staff.

Your Role

The Principal Country Specialist (i) leads country strategy and engagement for four SPSO DMCs including accelerating ADB’s strategic shifts to enhance climate finance and private sector, (ii) leads and coordinates policy dialogue and relationship management with four SPSO countries, under the broad guidance of the Regional Director and PARD’s Regional Management Team (RMT), (iii) leads regular and efficient Country Management Teams in close partnership with Pacific Country Office (PCO) country team leaders, (iv) monitors and manages program implementation in collaboration with Sectors Group, Private Sector Operations Department, Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership, and the Country Operations Head; (v) works closely with PARD principal economist to ensure the quality and relevance of economic analysis, sector diagnostic work, and thematic assessments (such as environment, governance, poverty assessment, and private sector) and to prepare country, sector, project briefing notes, as necessary; (vi) ensures stronger TA coordination and prioritization at the country level including with Private Sector Development Initiative, Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility; ADB Frontiers (vii) expands the publication and dissemination of quality knowledge products and identifies opportunities to enhance project visibility and communications; (viii) contributes to the coordination and exchange of information with the government, multilateral and bilateral official development partners, private sector associations, civil society, media and academia in four SPSO developing member countries(DMCs); (ix) participates in and contributes to internal and external training, conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge and capacity building; (x) supports the Regional Director in staff management and recruitment of National and Administrative Staff positions and (xi) provides regular updates on important operational issues to the Pacific Department’s RMT.

You will:

• Lead the coordination, policy dialogue and relationship management with SPSO countries under the broader guidance of the Regional Director and PARD’s RMT, including close engagement with senior Government counterparts and other stakeholders, and in close cooperation with development partners to ensure ADB remains a preferred partner.
• Lead or supervise the preparation and review of regional and country strategies and completion reports and coordinate country programming discussions.
• Ensure ADB is able to scale up engagement in other SPSO countries, consistent with the priorities outlines in ADB’s Pacific Approach and Strategy 2030 including private sector and climate change shifts.
• Ensure ADB operations align with SPSO’s countries’ development plans and ADB’s medium and long-term strategic frameworks.
• Maintain strong working relationships with country clients and stakeholders, as well as development partners.
• Oversee processing and implementation of ADB policy-based financing operations in SPSO countries, based on joint policy action matrices developed cooperatively with development partners.
• Lead effective design, processing and administration of relevant technical assistance activities.
• Ensure effective and efficient coordination of the PARD’s knowledge work and technical assistance in SPSO countries.
• Oversee Asian Development Fund (ADF) country performance assessment, Sustainable Development Financing Policy and other relevant briefing and due diligence requirements for relevant SPSO countries.
• Lead coordination with other development partners and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for joint coordination work.
• Maintain strong relationships with senior government officials and development partners.
• Secure co-financing from both bilateral partners as well as multilateral climate financing mechanisms.
• Ensure regional cohesion across individual country programs and mobilization of ADF, concessional ordinary capital resources lending (COL) and regular Ordinary Capital Resources.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
• Support the Regional Director to supervise the work of team members based in both the SPSO office in Fiji as well as in the PCOs under SPSO.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Encourage the ongoing learning and development of staff.
• Support the Regional Director on regional Finance and Administration matters including information technology, management of ADB premises, and other administrative matters, as necessary.

Qualifications

You will need:
 

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, or relevant sector fields. A university degree in a relevant area and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in development planning and policy formulation, implementation and project administration or related areas.
• Excellent oral and verbal communication skills in English;
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Good negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Capacity to management and provide guidance to team members.
• Knowledge of the Pacific developing member counties would be an advantage.
• Experience/Expertise in public sector reform, public financial management, private sector development would be an advantage.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 6

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 is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of 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.

About Us

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.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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