Principal Transport Specialist – TI3  

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 of Principal Transport Specialist is assigned to the Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA) within the Sectors Department 1 (SD1). SD1 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in the region and with ADB’s clients. SD1, which comprises the Energy and Transport Sector Offices, delivers and supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RD) and resident missions (RM) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally.

SG-TRA leads policy development dialogue, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance processing and administration in the transport sector.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to Director, Transport and will oversee junior team members within the division.

Your Role

As a Principal Transport Specialist, you will lead and oversee in the articulation and implementation of policies and strategies for the transport sector in developing member countries (DMCs). You will ensure proper project identification, preparation, appraisal, documentation, and compliance with ADB’s policies, operations manuals, project administration instructions, and assistance-related documentation during the development and implementation of loans, TA, and non-lending products and services (NLPS) for the transport projects. You will perform three key tasks: (i) identify, develop, implement and administer selected loans, grants, TA projects with higher levels of complexity; (ii) manage overall project portfolio through identification of implementation problems and execution of corrective actions; and (iii) lead the development of assistance project/program pipeline by utilizing the sector’s collective knowledge and experience in project processing and portfolio management. You will work closely with internal teams and resource departments, and externally with clients and supervise critical tasks, as may be assigned from time-to-time.

You will:

• Lead the development of policy and strategies for the transport sector in DMCs in consultation with relevant government agencies, other stakeholders, and Resident Missions (RMs).
• Conduct dialogue with government officials and other stakeholders on transport sector issues and projects related to regional cooperation and integration, trade logistics and cross-border transport facilitation.
• Actively participate in the network activities in the transport sector and regional cooperation and integration, trade logistics facilitation and cross border transport areas, knowledge sharing, staff mentoring, and keep abreast of the latest developments and issues.
• Lead the development, processing, implementation and administration of loan, grant and TA projects which require policy, institutional and operational reforms and use of innovative approaches in advancing sector transformation.
• Administer complex loan/grant and technical assistance projects with sectoral and thematic area of focus.
• Lead the monitoring, periodic review and progress reporting of project/program implementation, compliance with covenants, achievement of division’s annual portfolio targets, and the achievement of the desired project/sector outcomes.
• Provide guidance and advice to improve portfolio performance and identify actions needed to resolve project implementation issues and problems. Oversee the execution of actions to address project implementation problems.
• Lead country programming activities for the transport sector and ensure that operational strategies and programs for the sector are adequately reflected in the resulting country programming documents.
• Collaborate with other development partners in the transport sector for consistency and harmonization of approach, exchange of experience, partnership and cofinancing where appropriate.
• Ensure that lessons learned in project administration are reflected in the design of new projects and communicated properly to key stakeholders.
• Ensure quality and consistency of reports, project documents and communications related to the division’s portfolio management.
• Provide advice on ADB policies, guidelines, practices on project administration to internal and external stakeholders.
• Supervise and support reporting staff, including their performance and development, providing clear directions and regular monitoring and feedback.
• Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Mentor junior staff and support their learning and integration into SG-TRA.
• Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in staff’s workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in transport/civil engineering, transport economics, or other related fields; or University degree in transport/civil engineering, economics or related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in the transport sector at senior technical or management level, preferably working for international organizations, governments, and consulting firms, including international experience.
• Experience in preparing written technical and other reports (including at short notice and under mission travel conditions) on sustainable transport project concepts, technical scope and feasibility, project implementation arrangements, and policy and institutional change proposals.
• Proven technical expertise in the development, planning and operation of sustainable transport initiatives in developing countries.
• Able to utilize and share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community and DMCs, including supporting the expansion of ADB’s sustainable transport support and operations in DMCs.
• Capacity to contribute substantially to the development of sector policy, processing and administering loans and technical assistance in the transport sector.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills, with ability to deal effectively with all types of internal and external clients/stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• When required, able to act as a mission/team leader, exercising supervision coordination, and planning responsibilities over the assigned team, with oversight from the Director of Transport Sector Group.
• Act as a coach to develop the capabilities/potential of more junior colleagues on sustainable transport.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TI3.

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)

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 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 69 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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