Country Operations Head

Overview

Reference Number: TI2

Department: Pacific Department

Division: Office of the Director General, PARD

Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters, Manila, Philippines

Date Posted: Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Closing Date: Tuesday, September 2, 59 p.m. Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are pleased to present a unique opportunity to join the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB’s mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Country Operations Head is assigned to the Office of the Director General within the Pacific Department (PARD). PARD maintains client relations, delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Pacific region, and coordinates with development partners. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and may be assigned to one of PARD’s subregional offices in the future. You report to the Advisor, North Pacific and will oversee junior team members.

Your Role

As a Country Operations Head, you will assist the Advisor, North Pacific, who leads client relationships and integrated advice and service delivery to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of Palau (PAL), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). You will manage sound country operations and the subregional office, coordinate country programming, business planning, quality assurance, and portfolio performance monitoring, and organize country operations services for project teams in collaboration with PAL, FSM, and RMI Country Office staff.

You will:

• Country portfolio management and programming
• Lead the country portfolio performance reviews with PAL, FSM, and RMI Country Office staff; manage and report on sovereign and non-sovereign operations (programming, pipeline, portfolio) at country level to achieve country KPIs; provide high-level guidance on operational issues and compliance with ADB policies.
• Coordinate with development partners through joint country portfolio performance reviews.
• Participate in operations and portfolio networks facilitated by RHOC, PARD, PPFD.
• Guide PAL, FSM, and RMI staff and project teams on country-specific project and portfolio management issues; lead portfolio, programming and pipeline missions with governments of PAL, FSM, and RMI.
• Oversee project-related communications with government and stakeholders; consult with clients to resolve country-wide issues and coordinate project-specific issue resolution with solutions departments/offices, RHOC, PARD, PPFD, and other support departments for ongoing projects.
• Support Advisor, North Pacific in ensuring project/TA implementation arrangements meet the contexts of North Pacific countries.
• Guide sectors in project design and processing to meet regional and country priorities, fit local contexts, and align with ADB’s Pacific Approach; support country programming including allocation of operational resources in collaboration with sector groups, PSOD/OMDP and regional operations coordination.
• Collaborate with country management teams to create a portfolio of cross-cutting and innovative projects addressing client needs and ADB priorities (e.g., climate change and private sector development).
• Maintain pipelines and oversee lending and non-lending progress; facilitate work of solutions departments for delivering the country program.
• Communicate with development partners on co-financing opportunities.
• Provide inputs to ADB’s Pacific Approach from a programming, pipeline and portfolio management perspective; advise on quality of project-level documentation, concurrences and decisions for sovereign operations and TA as per staff instructions.
• Collaborate with RHOC and PARD on all quality assurance matters.

Work planning

• Support Advisor, North Pacific and the North Pacific country management teams in preparing work plans aligned with regional department goals.
• Be the head of the secretariat to the North Pacific country management teams; help set and update standard operating procedures for smooth operations.
• Organize and advise on provision of operations services (e.g., safeguards, procurement, financial management) and thematic services (e.g., climate change, gender, FCAS/SIDS) to support project teams delivering operations in the country.

Capacity development

• Provide operational capacity development to staff and external clients on sovereign operations management.
• Manage teams, provide clear direction and regular performance feedback; mentor staff and ensure ongoing learning and development.
• Coordinate with the Regional Lead Economist, PARD on country economic matters and with the Regional Head, Private Sector Development, PARD on PSD promotion matters.
• Undertake other activities as designated by the Advisor, North Pacific.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in engineering, finance, economics, business administration, or related fields. A university degree in engineering, finance, economics, business administration or related fields with at least 5 years of specialized relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project processing, project administration, portfolio management (country or sector) and operations programming for development institutions.
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Experience in building capacity of staff in projects or processing of loans/technical assistance.
• Demonstrated management and leadership qualities.
• Technical experience in one or more key sectors of ADB operations is desirable.
• Please refer to the ADB Competency Framework for Technical International grade TI2.

Benefits

ADB offers a rewarding salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB standards and comparator markets, considering your qualifications and experience. Benefits include housing and education allowance (if applicable), expatriate benefits (if applicable), retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental), life and other insurance plans, and staff development.

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be extended by up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on expiration, at ADB’s discretion based on the organization’s needs and the staff member’s performance.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with 69 members. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while eradicating extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its Strategy 2030.

ADB hires nationals of its 69 member countries.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please refer to the official site.

ADB is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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