Principal Urban Development 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 Urban Development Specialist is assigned to the Water and Urban Development Sector Office (SD2-WUD) within the Sectors Department 2 (SD2). SD2 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in the region. SD2, which is comprised of the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, SG-WUD, and Digital Sector Office: delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB’s technical leadership internally and externally.

SD2-WUD leads policy development and dialogue, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance (TA) processing and administration in the water and urban development (WUD) sector. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the Director, WUD and oversee Technical Local staff.

Your Role

As a Principal Urban Development Specialist, you will lead and oversee the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on water and urban sector, engage DMC governments in policy dialogue, and conduct ADB’s activities to support sector policies and reforms. You will lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, grants, and TA projects, and provide relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge projects.

You will:

• Lead the processing and administration of sub-regional and DMC-specific loans, grants, and TAs on WUD, with due attention to the country’s development policies and projects’ impacts on private sector participation, sector restructuring, and reforms.
• Lead the development and design of new lending projects and programs in the sector, including water supply, sanitation and wastewater management, drainage, solid waste management, housing, sustainable tourism, urban and regional planning, municipal finance/ governance, creditworthiness, climate- and disaster-resilience, sector restructuring/utility management and reforms. Collaborate with other sector offices and departments in ADB to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs.
• Lead the assessment of WUD sector policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions and technological advance including digital technologies, climate resilience and mitigation needs, and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs.
• Identify the priority areas of WUD in the country or region, as applicable, and the modality of the required loans and TA support.
• Ensure proper coordination between HQ and RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of WUD sector policy commitments to the management of projects.
• Oversee and ensure quality and compliance of WUD sector lending and non-lending products and operations.
• Oversee and facilitate effective liaison and coordination with development partners on program loans and investment projects.
• Assist RDs on inquiries related to WUD, urban environmental improvement, and relevant sector governance reforms
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities. Respond to external inquiries as needed.
• Lead the development and dissemination of knowledge products, and organization and implementation of knowledge-sharing events and workshops on specialized topics on WUD.
• Lead, supervise, and support reporting staff, including their performance and development. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.
  • Additional responsibilities if assigned to the role of Project Administration Unit Head: Lead sector portfolio performance assessment in country/tripartite portfolio review meetings, identify systemic issues, propose initiatives to promote project quality and improve portfolio performance, and provide guidance and advice for the identification and implementation of action items needed to resolve implementation issues and problems.
  • Develop country/region’s operational targets (key result areas) for project administration, including projections for contract awards, disbursements, project/TA completion and closing, project performance ratings, and monitor their successful achievement.
  • Review and comment on project proposals for quality control of documentations (e.g. review of bid documents, review of bid evaluation reports, procurement arrangement, PCRs/TCRs) and for ensuring project implementation readiness and smooth and quality project implementation.
  • Mentor staff in project processing, administration, and project completion reports, by providing advice and guidance on project design and sector issues, and participate in their missions as and when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in civil engineering, environmental engineering, urban and regional planning, urban and environmental management, or economics; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in the water and urban sector and municipal service improvement, and in project preparation and administration of projects, practical knowledge, and experience in integration of financial, economic, social, institutional, and safeguard requirements and issues in project design and execution. International experience working in several countries.
• Broad experience in the preparation of investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies, including knowledge on procurement and consultant recruitment.
• Demonstrated team leadership or managerial skills and experience leading professionals, teams, and missions for technical matters and projects processing/implementation.
• 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
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB 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)

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may, at the option of ADB, be extended once for up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on its expiration date. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB that: (a) it will require Staff’s particular blend of skills and experience in the foreseeable future; and (b) Staff’s performance is satisfactory and they are suitable for further employment.

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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