Urban Development Specialist

Asian Development Bank

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 Urban Development Specialist is assigned to the Water and Urban Development Sector Office (SG-WUD) within 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, the Water and Urban Development Sector Office, and the 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.

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

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

Your Role

As an Urban Development Specialist, you will contribute to the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on water and urban development sector in the DMCs. You will be responsible in enhancing quality of policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by working closely with DMC clients. You will provide support in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, grants, and TA projects in DMCs, and provide relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge for projects.  

You will:

- Process and administer sub-regional and DMC-specific loan, grant, and TAs in urban sector development, with due attention to country's development policies and projects' impacts on climate change. 
- Develop new lending projects and programs in the sector including water supply, wastewater management, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, housing, sustainable tourism, urban and regional planning, municipal governance/finance, climate- and disaster-resilience, and sector restructuring/utility management and reforms. 
- Collaborate with other sector offices and departments in ADB to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs.
- Identify and introduce innovative and smart solutions, aligned with international best practices but fit for purpose and for the DMC context, in the design and administration of loans, grants, and TAs. Propose appropriate contract modalities and lead discussions on procurement issues including review of bidding documents, bid evaluation reports, and consultant recruitment.
- Closely coordinate with RDs, RMs, Office of Safeguards (OSFG), Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership (OMDP), and Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) in identifying, developing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, and TAs for the water and urban development sector.
- Continuously assess water and urban development sector development policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions and technological advance, climate change mitigation and adaptation, private sector development, use of digital technologies, and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs.
- Identify the priority areas in the water and urban development sector in the region/countries assigned, undertake upstream and analytical sector work, and propose the modality and nature of the required loans and TA support.
- Assist the team and RDs with guidance on inquiries related to urban sector development, 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.
- Work on generating and disseminating knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices and country or region specific cross-learning in water and urban development, and on the areas related to livable cities.
- Lead relevant in-house studies and seminars and prepare reports or policy briefs on topics crucial to ADB's water and urban development sector operations.
- 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-WUD and the Sectors Departments in effective ways.  
- Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in your workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

- A University degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, urban and regional planning, urban and environmental management, or economics or other relevant areas; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent
- At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in water and urban development 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. 
- Strong core technical skills and sufficient practical experience in the field with demonstrated ability to engage in policy dialogue with clients, prepare knowledge solutions with colleagues and development partners, and develop capacity in DMCs. 
- International experience working in several countries.  
- Broad experience in the preparation of investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies, including knowledge of 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 Competency Framework for TI1. 

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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Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

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