Senior Operations 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 Senior Operations Specialist is assigned to the Vanuatu Pacific Coordination Office (VAN PCO) in Port Vila under the Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office in Sydney (PLCO) and within the Pacific Department (PARD). PARD maintains client relations and delivers ADB assistance to countries in the Pacific region. PLCO is responsible for country programming, portfolio management, client and partner engagement, external communications, and knowledge development.

You will report to the Regional Director (RD) of PLCO and work closely with the Country Operations Head (COH) at PLCO. You will oversee junior team members.

This is open to internal and external applicants.

For internal candidates: Your assignment to VAN PCO will be immediate unless the selection involves a change in staff category.

For external candidates and newly appointed international staff: You will initially be based at ADB Headquarters in Manila for one year before moving to the VAN PCO Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Your Role

As a Senior Operations Specialist, you will assist the RD PLCO, who is responsible for operations in Vanuatu, in the sound management of portfolio, projects, and technical assistance (TA). You will coordinate operations oversight, business development, relationships with development partners, quality assurance, portfolio management, and capacity development.

You will:

Country programming and portfolio management

- Lead the country portfolio performance reviews. Manage, monitor and report on sovereign and non-sovereign operations at country level to achieve country Key Performance Indicators. Provide high-level guidance on operational issues and compliance with ADB policies. Contribute in operations and portfolio networks, facilitated by COH PLCO, Regional Head Operations Coordination (RHOC), and Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department.
- Guide project teams on country-specific project and portfolio management issues and lead country operations related missions and activities with government. Oversee project related communication and coordination with government and stakeholders.
- Consult with clients to swiftly resolve country-wide issues, and coordinate the resolution of project-specific issues, in collaboration with the solutions departments/offices for Vanuatu ongoing projects.
- Support RD PLCO in assuring that project/TA implementation arrangements are designed to meet country context. Guide sectors in the design and processing of projects to ensure that they are delivered to advance ADB's regional and country priorities, meet country needs, and fit the local context.
- Support country programming including the allocation of operational resources in the country in collaboration with sector groups, Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD)/ Office of Markets Development and Public–Private Partnership (OMDP) and the regional operations coordination office. Work with country management team members to create a portfolio of cross-cutting and innovative projects that meet client needs and advance ADB's priorities, e.g. climate change and private sector development.
- Maintain pipelines and oversee progress of lending and non-lending by monitoring, supporting, and facilitating the work of solutions departments for delivering the country program. Liaise with development partners to ensure strategic and operational coordination, including co-financing opportunities.
- Advise RD PLCO and backstop the quality of project-level documentation, concurrences and decisions for sovereign operations and technical assistance, as determined by Staff Instructions and Project Administration Instructions. Collaborate with COH PLCO and RHOC PARD on all matters of quality assurance.
Work planning

- Support RD PLCO and the Vanuatu country management team in preparation of the work plans and alignment with regional department KPIs.
- Be the head of the secretariat to the Vanuatu country management team, supporting the RD PLCO to maintain and update standard operating procedures for their effective functioning.
- Organize and advise on the provision of certain operations services (e.g., safeguards, procurement, financial management) and thematic services (e.g., climate change, gender), to ensure adequate support to project teams delivering operations in the country.
Capacity development

- Organize and provide operational capacity development to staff and external clients on sovereign operations management.
- Manage the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to teams and individuals and ensures their on-going learning and development.
- Undertake other activities as designated by RD PLCO and COH PLCO. Coordinate with RHOC PARD, Head Regional Cooperation and Integration, Lead Economist, and Head Private Sector Development.

Qualifications

You will need:

- Master's Degree, in engineering, finance, economics, business administration or related fields. University degree in engineering, finance, economics, business administration and related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in managing projects, portfolios (country or sector) and pipelines for development institutions. International experience working in development in several countries.
- Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.
- Experience working with government counterparts on portfolio management and country programming. Experience cooperating with development partners.
- Proven management and leadership qualities, and experience leading teams and mentoring staff.
- Technical experience in one or more key sectors of ADB operations is desirable.
- Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level TI2.

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

Additional Information

This position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB's in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce. The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful candidates may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other groups or departments when required.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of three years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 ("Recruitment and Appointment'). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be renewed for a period of up to three years, or not renewed. There is no limit on the number of renewals. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

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.

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

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