Urban Development Specialist

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 Urban Development Specialist is assigned to the Water and Urban Development Sector Cluster (SD2-WUD) within the Sectors Department 2 (SD2). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to Director, Water and Urban Development and will oversee Junior team members.

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 developing member countries (DMCs). You will enhance quality of policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by working with DMC clients. You will provide support in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, grants, technical assistance (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 loans, grants, and TAs in water and urban development sector, 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, affordable 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 clusters and departments in ADB to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs.

• Identify and introduce smart solutions and international best practices 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 Regional Departments (RDs), Resident Missions (RMs), Office of Safeguards (OSFG), Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management Department (PPFD), 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 policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart and digital solutions and technological advance, climate change mitigation and adaptation, private sector development, 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 sector work, and propose the modality and nature of the required loans and TA support.

• Assist the team and Regional Departments (RDs) with guidance on inquiries related to urban sector development, urban environmental improvement, and sector governance reforms.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities. Respond to external inquiries.

• Generate and disseminate knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices and country or region specific cross-learning in water and urban development sector, 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.

• Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Mentor junior staff and supports their learning and integration into SD2-WUD and SD.

• Perform other responsibilities as assigned and reflected in your workplan.

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.

• Core technical skills and practical experience in the field with demonstrated ability to contribute to 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 preparing investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies, including knowledge of procurement and consultant recruitment.

• Expertise within a specific area of ADB's operations (economic, sector, or thematic), or scope across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.

• Proficiency in expressing ideas in both spoken and written formats in English

• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical International 1 (TI1).

Additional Information

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.

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 who are currently under regular appointments will retain their regular appointment status.

Multiple positions may be filled from this opening.

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