Transport Specialist

Overview

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 Transport Specialist is assigned to the Transport Sector Office (SD1-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. SD1, which comprises the Energy and Transport Sector Offices, delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RD) and resident missions (RM) in engaging with ADB's developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB's technical leadership internally and externally.

SD1-TRA leads policy development and dialogue, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance (TA) processing and administration in the Transport Sector.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines. You will report to the Director, Transport and will oversee national staff and administrative staff within the division.

As a Transport Specialist, you will contribute to the development and implementation of transport sector strategies, focusing on customs and trade logistics facilitation. The role involves identifying bottlenecks in infrastructure and regulatory processes, designing solutions, and ensuring compliance with international and national customs regulations. The Transport Specialist contributes to articulation and implementation of policies and strategies for the transport sector in developing member countries (DMCs). You will process and administer transport sector assistance projects, technical assistance (TA), and non-lending products and services (NLPS) to support sustainable and efficient transportation initiatives. You will ensure proper project identification, preparation, appraisal, documentation, and compliance with ADB's policies, operations manuals, project administration instructions, and assistance-related documentations during the development and implementation of the transport projects. 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 and support transport sector assistance projects, technical assistance (TA), and non-lending products and services (NLPS) related to customs and trade logistics.
• Conduct dialogues 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 including customs procedures and technologies.
• Lead the design of regional cooperation and integration projects to support the optimization of passenger and cargo transport across borders through planning and facilitating multimodal cross-border transport and logistics operations and associated actions.
• Participate in 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. Conduct policy dialogue with government agencies and regional bodies on customs and border control procedures.
• Support project identification, preparation, appraisal, documentation, and compliance with ADB's policies, operations manuals, project administration instructions, and related documentation.
• Ensure that climate change impacts sustainability, best engineering practices including high technology and appropriate technology, safety, and efficiency are realistically incorporated in project design for effective implementation.
• Work with borrowers/clients, provide guidance and assist in formulating, planning, and preparing high quality documents related to the projects (e.g., project concept papers, TA papers, RRP and linked documents).
• Assist Project Team Leaders (PTLs) in the above functions, and lead and coordinate such activities when assigned to be the PTL.
• Address issues raised as queries, comments, and suggestions from internal review including from senior management, and address issues raised by direct and indirect stakeholders.
• Liaise and coordinate with development agencies on loans, TA, and NLPS for compliance with ADB's project preparation, appraisal, and implementation requirements.
• Coordinate with Regional Departments, Resident Missions, Office of Safeguards, and Climate Change Sustainable Development Department in identifying, developing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, and TAs for the Transport sector.
• Establish and maintain a monitoring system, report on project progress, and carry out such administrative tasks as are reasonably assigned in consonance with such functions.
• Contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around transport and development issues.
• Lead, supervise, and support reporting staff, including their performance and development.
• Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Mentor junior staff and support their learning and integration into SG-TRA and across Sector Offices in effective ways.
• Work on rotation across different teams for knowledge and analytical work in the first few years as directed by TRA management.

You will need:

• A University Degree in Civil, Railway, or Transportation Engineering, Transport Economics or Finance, Transport Planning, Sustainable Transport; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in the transport sector including international work experience.
• Good knowledge of regional cooperation and integration, cross-border transport and trade facilitation development issues in Asia.
• Understanding and experience in the overall tasks needed in the preparation of investment projects, including project identification and conceptualization, analysis of relevant policies, preparing studies and reports, and coordination with external stakeholders, consultants, and government agencies.
• Skills and experience in working with teams of professionals such as for technical, social, and environmental safeguards, economic assessments, procurement, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficient or advanced competency level in Client Orientation, Achieving Results and Problem Solving and Knowledge Sharing.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 1.

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
• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

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.

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion and for lateral transfer must have served at their position for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (A.O. 2.03)

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e., from TL to TI) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new grade, they will return to the grade occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

The 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.

The position is assigned in the Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA) within the Sectors Group (SG). SG aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB's strategic agenda in the region and with ADB's clients. The SG, which is comprised of seven sector offices, supports the delivery of sovereign and 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.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Department : Sectors Department 1

Division : Transport Sector Office

Staff Category : Technical International (HQ)

Job Posting: 24-Sep-2025, 11:57:35 PM

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External