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.

This position leads the portfolio monitoring function of the India Resident Mission (INRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD). INRM assists in the project implementation of the loans and technical assistance (TA) projects and supports the ADB HQ in processing new loans in India.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Principal Portfolio Management Specialist is responsible for leveraging extensive experience and specialized knowledge to enhance country programming efforts and continuously improving project processing and administrative practices through the utilization of the Resident Mission’s (RMs) collective experience and portfolio management knowledge, within a framework of broad policies, principles, and goals. The position will ensure timely identification and execution of corrective actions to address implementation problems, contributing to ADB’s goal of reducing poverty, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods. The incumbent will report to Country Director, INRM and may supervise national staff and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Leads the preparation and updating of the portfolio projections, plans, and annual targets, e.g., contract awards, loan disbursements, Project Completion Report (PCR)/TA Completion Report (TCR) progress. Oversees scheduling and organization for the Tripartite Portfolio Review Meetings (TPRMs), and annual capacity development program, and monitor achievements against targets.
• Leads the process of country level portfolio improvements and capacity development in coordination with external financiers and key government institutions to address the Government’s reform agenda as well as portfolio management and performance.
• Leads the team responsible for portfolio monitoring in achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) related to portfolio management (i.e., contract awards, disbursements, missions, completion reports, outputs, etc.); leading, organizing, and conducting the TPRMs, state level review meetings, projects review meetings and other internal portfolio review meetings for loans, grants, and TAs; and supporting the Country Director and Deputy Country Director for high-level portfolio discussions.
• Advises on upstream strategic studies and dialogues providing inputs, from the perspective of project structuring and implementation management, in conceptualizing and preparing new projects and programs.
• Monitors the India’s portfolio of ongoing loans, grants, and TAs, including the progress of implementation and achievement of intended outputs/goals/development objectives, and status of compliance with covenants, and engages in dialogue with the client on how to continuously improve the portfolio monitoring system by introducing new tools to enable early detection of potential portfolio problems.
• Endorses review missions’ back-to-office reports (BTORs), outgoing communications, and documents related to portfolio management and ensure the quality and consistency with Project Administration Instructions (PAIs), and other relevant guidelines, instructions. and policies.
• Provides guidance and advice for the identification and implementation of action items needed to resolve implementation issues and problems.
• Together with INRM National Procurement Officer and outposted PPFD staff, provides oversight and quality control, and endorses for approval by Country Director or for submission to Procurement Committee the review of the executing agencies’ bid evaluation reports, and proposal for awards.
• Reviews draft bidding documents for procurement and draft request for proposals (RFP) documents for recruitment of consultants and endorses for approval.
• Provides advice to sector staff in solving critical procurement issues.
• Leads and supervises the implementation of the activity of INRM’s Capacity Development Resource Center (CDRC) in planning, arranging, organizing, and conducting various capacity development programs for the executing agencies staff; continuously reviews the course contents in view of improving the quality and relevance of the training programs, and leads the preparation of annual capacity building plan and report.
• Leads in providing advice on ADB policies, guidelines, practices on project administration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Leads in the continuous review and improvement of project administration policies and practices.
• Ensures that the RM’s collective experience and knowledge gained are maintained through portfolio management by documenting all issues and solutions in an issue bank.
• Facilitates knowledge sharing among the client executing agencies through presentation of success stories during TPRMs, cross visits among executing agencies, documentation of best practices and disseminating them in the annual reports or publish online.
• Takes the role of mentor to develop capabilities/potential of reporting staff over multi- disciplinary teams.
• Supervises the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Plans and ensures the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements
• Master’s degree in engineering, economics, project management or equivalent, or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years’ relevant experience in project processing and administration at a senior level.
• Experience in applying expertise in an international setting within the sector and in working in a developing nation.
• Sound understanding of policies (including safeguard policies), procedures and practices as applied in project administration.
• Ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with executing agencies, senior government officials, other project stakeholders (including community representatives and NGOs), staff, and other international organizations, in implementing loan and TA projects and undertaking policy dialogue.
• Significant expertise within a specific area of ADB’s operations (economic, sector or thematic), or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.
• Credible expert in field of expertise with proven leadership qualities and recognized ability to lead projects and to share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community, in a way which may further enhance ADB’s ability to:
o Recommend effective solutions to address DMCs’ specific economic, sector or thematic needs, based on wide range of experience and proven best practices.
o Successfully structure and implement loan and technical assistance projects in a more cost-effective manner.
o Manage risks more effectively by understanding DMCs, their environment (including the political, social and technical aspects), development priorities and economic / sector / thematic issues.
• Ability to perform effectively as a mission leader or team lead, exercising supervision, coordination, planning responsibilities over multi-disciplinary team/unit, mentoring team members, coaching team members to develop their capabilities/potential and providing guidance and advice on project or technical-related matters.
• Has potential for higher managerial responsibilities (for incumbents being considered for the Managerial career path) – able to think like a Director and demonstrate a high level of maturity, and act as an effective OIC of the Resident Mission when 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.