Lead Compliance Review Officer

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 Lead Compliance Review Officer is assigned to the Office of the Compliance Review Panel (OCRP). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the Chair of the Compliance Review Panel and will oversee junior team members.

Context – Compliance Review Panel
The Compliance Review Panel forms one part of ADB's Accountability Mechanism (AM) as only one of two functions within ADB reporting directly to the Board, supporting the Board in its oversight and governance functions. As such the CRP is a central plank of ADB's governance architecture. It is central to the institution's ability to uphold its privileges and immunities, which are contingent on the existence of robust internal accountability mechanisms.

The CRP's strategic objective is to be able to perform and work as an impartial fact-finding body as both a complaints mechanism for project-affected people to voice their concerns at the highest level of the institution and to serve the board as an oversight and governance mechanism. The CRP is the sole mechanism within ADB that holds the institution accountable to its environmental and social safeguard policies and this can only be undertaken on the basis of complaints raised and found eligible under the CRP process.

To fulfill this dual mandate, the CRP operates through three interlinked workstreams:

• Compliance-focused casework — investigating eligible complaints and determining whether ADB has complied with its safeguard policies.
• In-reach and outreach, engagement, and communication — building trust and awareness across internal stakeholders (Board members, senior management, regional and country directors) and external actors (civil society, sector ministries, academia).
• Knowledge Management — capturing insights and lessons to strengthen institutional learning and policy coherence.

Your Role
As Lead Compliance Review Officer
, you
will support the work of the CRP as described above and take on the leadership of certain elements within the 3 workstreams of the CRP. You will support the CRP and the OCRP by undertaking in-depth research in relation to CRP cases, providing technical and policy expertise and analysis, operational support, including in the compliance review process, awareness raising on compliance review and ADB AM, policy-related work, and other tasks as required.

The OCRP has a very small number of staff. As such this position will need to show strong leadership qualities combined with strong technical capabilities in the environmental or social areas and stakeholder relations to support the CRP in its stakeholder relations and engagement as well as on case work. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work independently, be proactive about undertaking work and also be able to work collaboratively within a team environment. They must be adept at multitasking and be able to prioritize deliverables based on competing needs given the demand driven aspect of the CRP work. The candidate must demonstrate exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to effectively interact, understand, and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders—including those with divergent or polarized views. They should possess a deep understanding of the independent nature of the CRP's work and consistently uphold positions grounded in evidence and technical accuracy, even when under external pressure or scrutiny.

You Will
You will need:
Benefits

• Complaints Management
• Lead in the management and reporting of non-complex complaints as determined by the Chair or for more complex cases support the Lead Panel Member including undertaking the lead on certain elements of the investigative process.
• Act as the lead resource person to the CRP on specific cases when the CRP is undertaking multiple compliance review cases.
• Consult with complainants and triangulate their views with that of Management, the Borrower and project documentation, to assess the legitimacy and extent of alleged project impacts on complainants and provide initial analysis on the issues.
• Conduct and lead in-depth specialized research, provide technical inputs, analysis, and operational support, and draft reports and other documents for the compliance review process, ensuring it follows the AM Policy.
• Draft sections of the compliance review reports, eligibility reports, notice of admission, monitoring reports and issues papers based on in-depth research, reflecting stakeholder views and triangulation of information. The target audience for these reports are Board Members, ADB Senior Management, Senior level Ministerial Officials, Complainants and Civil Society.
• Conduct policy analysis and research on the policies of other independent accountability mechanisms, ADB AM Policy, ADB's financing instruments, and Full Mutual Reliance Framework, etc.
• Work closely with the CRP Chair and OCRP to prepare briefings, presentations and reports to the Board Compliance Review Committee (BCRC) and the Board.
• Knowledge Management
• Under the direction of the Chair and OCRP Advisor draft the CRP/OCRP's publications and knowledge products and manage the publication process, including the lessons learned reports, awareness-raising materials, and inputs to other ADB-wide reports.
• Proactively compile case studies and lessons learned from CRP cases for both internal CRP and potentially wider use.
• Outreach Activities

• Manage the Outreach portfolio on behalf of the OCRP.

• Preparean annual calendar of outreach events including seminars, workshops, and outreach activities in ADB countries and regions

• Liaise with OSPF on the organization of outreach events and coordinate accordingly
• Manage the Technical Assistance Fund for Outreach events and proactively plan and apply for Technical Assistance for Outreach events for ensuing years

• Lead the organization of outreach workshops and seminars in agreed countries and regions.

• Support the seminars/briefings and related workshops for OCRP and overall for the ADB AM targeting senior management teams at ADB,

• Assessments
• Serve as the technical lead (environmental, social) in assessing complaints based on solid knowledge and understanding of national legal requirements and ADB's environmental and social safeguard policies.
• Provide comparative analysis between national requirements and ADB environmental and social policy requirements and analyze project documents accordingly.
• Decide on the assessment tools to be employed and gather evidence;
• Ensure information security and confidentiality are maintained as appropriate for assessments;
• Proactively prepare periodic case briefs presenting objective, credible assessment findings.
• Assist in arranging organizational and substantive aspects of site missions in coordination with the OCRP Advisor to ensure that adequate safety provisions are established for cases where the risk of retaliation has been flagged or when high risk locations are to be visited.
• Policy Review
• Contribute to formulation and updates of the Accountability Mechanism policy, processes, protocols, and procedures to improve OSPF's methodologies.
• General
• Participate in relevant meetings and prepare accurate summary/minutes and conclusions of said meetings.
• Support the Chair, Panel Members and the Advisors, OCRP in the identification, contracting and management of independent technical experts.
• Represent OCRP as requested by the Chair in relevant internal and external events.
• Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Political Science, Economics, International Development, Law or related fields; or Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 7 years of supervisory experience.
• An understanding of ADB and/or Multilateral Development Bank Accountability policies and procedures will be an added advantage.
• Excellent information gathering skills (desk research, conducting interviews, facilitating stakeholder meetings in challenging contexts, engagement with external experts at a technical level);
• Ability to demonstrate analytical skills (investigative mindset, attention to detail, ability to discern relevant material, writing skills);
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required, including the ability to clearly and concisely prepare, present, discuss and defend issues, finding, and recommendations at senior levels and to produce complex and compelling briefs, reports, papers, etc;
• Ability to work collaboratively with multicultural and diverse teams as a constructive project member;
• Proven capacity to managing complex stakeholder relations, familiarity with stakeholder engagement techniques and ability to engage with a range of diverse stakeholders – Governments, local communities and civil society organizations;
• Established reputation for integrity, sound judgment, fairness, and discretion;
• Ability to perform under pressure and interact with others in a professional and diplomatic manner;
• Willingness to travel regularly; and
• Ability to balance multiple work priorities effectively and adapt priorities in a changing environment.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical Local Staff (TL8)

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.

• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information
This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

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
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is headquartered in Manila and owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

Primary Location:
Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila

Department:
Office of the Compliance Review Panel

Staff Category:
Technical Local - HQ

Position Level:
TL8

Job Posting:
23-Jan-2026, 2:05:46 PM

06-Feb-2026, 11:59:00 PM