Country Operations Head

Reference Number

250652

Position Level

TI2

Department

Pacific Department

Division

Office of the Director General, PARD

Location

Asian Development Bank Headquarters

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 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 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 coordinating with development partners. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and may be assigned in one of PARD's subregional offices in the future.

You will 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 our client relationship 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), in the sound management of country operations and subregional office, upon its establishment. You will coordinate country programming, business planning, quality assurance, and portfolio performance monitoring and organize the provision of country operations services to 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. In collaboration with PAL, FSM, and RMI Country Office staff, responsible for management and reporting on sovereign and non-sovereign operations (programming, pipeline and portfolio management) at country level to achieve country key performance indicators. Provide high-level guidance on operational issues and compliance with ADB policies. Coordinate and work together with other development partners through joint country portfolio performance reviews. Take part in operations and portfolio networks, facilitated by Regional Head, Operations Coordination (RHOC), PARD and Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department (PPFD).
• Guide PAL, FSM, and RMI Country Office staff and project teams on country-specific project and portfolio management issues and lead portfolio, programming and pipeline related missions and activities with governments of PAL, FSM and RMI. 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, RHOC, PARD, PPFD and other support departments for PAL, FSM and RMI ongoing projects.
• Support Advisor, North Pacific in assuring that project/TA implementation arrangements are designed to meet contexts of the North Pacific countries. 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, fit the local context, and follow the differentiated approach under ADB's Pacific Approach.
• Support the 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 PAL, FSM and RMI country management teams' 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 and facilitating the work of solutions departments for delivering the country program. Communicate with development partners on co-financing opportunities. Provide inputs to ADB's Pacific Approach (ADB's regional partnership strategy for the Pacific DMCs) and the Pacific Approach's reviews from a programming, pipeline and portfolio management perspective.
• Advise Advisor, North Pacific 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 RHOC, PARD on all matters of quality assurance.

Work planning

• Support Advisor, North Pacific and the North Pacific country management teams in preparation of the work plans and alignment with regional department goals.
• Be the head of the secretariat to the North Pacific country management teams, supporting the Advisor, North Pacific to set and update the standard operating procedures to ensure smooth operations.
• Organize and advise on the provision of certain operations services (e.g., safeguards, procurement, financial management) and thematic services (e.g., climate change, gender, FCAS/SIDS), to ensure 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 teams and individual staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provide mentoring to teams and individuals and ensure their 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.

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 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 link for 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's standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• 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
• Staff development

Additional Information

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 69 members, 50 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 our Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB wants 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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