Advisor, BPMSD and Head, Learning and Development Unit

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 Advisor, BPMSD and Head, Learning and Development Unit is assigned to the Learning and Development Unit (BPOD-LDU) within the Budget, People, and Management Systems Department (BPMSD). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable expenses will be covered.

You will report to Director General, BPMSD and will oversee assigned international and local staff across the Unit.

Your Role

As Advisor, BPMSD and Head, Learning and Development (L&D) Unit, you will play a key role in aligning ADB’s L&D needs and activities with its business needs, drawing on your experience in processing and administering lending projects and your knowledge and expertise in different L&D tools and interventions. You will also lead the coordination of BPMSD’s communications with staff across the Bank. These efforts will help staff better understand BPMSD’s priorities and activities, foster dialogue and engagement, and support organizational change. In this context, you will lead the planning, implementation and supervision of the unit’s vision, goals, strategies, resources and work plan to support ADB’s mission and the implementation of its Strategic Human Resources Framework. You will oversee the quality of work and provide guidance on day-to-day business decisions in the Unit and ensure that ADB’s learning and development activities deliver measurable improvements in staff capabilities and organizational performance.

You will:

• Establish and cascade the Unit’s vision, goals, development strategies and key result areas in support of ADB’s goals, departmental goals in line with ADB policies.
• Lead the planning, implementation and supervision of work plans and monitor the Unit’s output quality, annual objectives achievements and progress towards long-term goals.
• Provide strategic leadership in the design and delivery of L&D activities, particularly leadership development programs, drawing on practical knowledge of ADB’s business environment to equip managers and leaders with the capabilities required to deliver operational results and development impact.
• Exercise leadership and stay abreast of the latest trends, best practices, and cutting-edge technology in the field of L&D, ensuring that ADB maintains a competitive, agile, and highly qualified workforce.
• Lead the assessment of learning needs in close partnership with business units, including operational departments and resident missions, using business priorities, project processing and implementation experience, leadership requirements and staff feedback to identify capability gaps and agree learning priorities.
• Build effective partnerships between business units and ADB’s learning functions to translate operational experience and lessons learned into practical, case-based learning, drawing on operational staff as subject matter experts and promoting the application of learning in day-to-day work.
• Lead the evaluation of learning and development programs, assessing their relevance to business needs, application in the workplace and contribution to improved leadership capabilities and operational performance, and use the findings to guide program improvements.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development across ADB to strengthen organizational capabilities and adaptability.
• Optimize the utilization of available budget and resources in the development, implementation, review, and communication of learning and development programs in the Headquarters and Field/Representative Offices.
• Lead effective collaboration across with other BPMSD teams and foster a workplace environment conducive to achieve high staff morale and motivation.
• Lead the bank-wide coordination and communication for BPMSD initiatives, setting strategic direction and communication priorities, overseeing the preparation of various communication and branding materials.
• Create and lead diverse teams while managing performance by providing clear directions and feedback, mentoring and ensuring staff’s ongoing learning and development.
  

You will need:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Business Management, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Social Sciences or related fields; or University degree in Business Management, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Social Sciences or related fields and at least 10 years of work experience in an International Financial Institution (IFI).
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in IFI’s business environment, some of which includes people management experience in an IFI context.
• Strong understanding of IFIs’ operational policies and programs, and extensive exposure to its loan and grant operations, including work with donors and philanthropies.
• Strong understanding of learning and development strategies and best practices in the market, encompassing public, private and international sectors, with demonstrated experience in designing, leading or overseeing initiatives to strengthen staff and leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing internal communications or staff engagement strategies, including translating complex institutional priorities into clear, accessible messages and supporting organizational change through effective communications.
• Familiarity with HR policies, procedures and practices, notably in the field of L&D in an IFI context.
• Familiarity with HR software and learning management systems and technologies (such as Cornerstone, Oracle, Workday and Success Factors).
• Ability to liaise with all levels of management, the Board and governments concerning HR issues to build support for different L&D ideas and interventions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to lead and manage a team of highly qualified international staff and local staff; and an appreciation of issues in a multicultural environment including gender issues and challenges.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• International experience of working in operations in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for M1.

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)
• Relocation (if applicable)
• Retirement plan
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information

• This vacancy is part of the Special Procedures for the Enhanced Selection and Placement for Country Directors (CDs), Deputy Country Directors (DCDs), Regional Directors (RDs), Representatives of Representative Offices (RROs), and Other Selected Managerial Positions. Please refer to the Updated Special Procedures outlined in Attachment 1 to Appendix 1 of AO 2.03 for more details.
  
• 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).
  
• This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional fixed term period of up to 3 years, allow it to expire, or reengage staff to their most recent technical international grade to optimally utilize the Staff’s technical skills under either a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Renew or a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Regularize, with the salary range corresponding to that technical international grade. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB’s medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff’s skills to those plans, and the staff’s managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff’s NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff’s NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

If the appointment to this position results in a promotion, Staff on regular appointment shall be required to relinquish their regular appointment by signing an Acknowledgment Form, as an attachment to this application. Staff’s appointment will be converted to a fixed-term appointment for Managerial Positions. Once made, this conversion is final and irrevocable. If ADB does not receive the signed Acknowledgment Form with the application, the application will be considered withdrawn.

If the appointment to this position does not result in a promotion, Staff retains their regular appointment and will be given a Fixed-term Assignment for Senior Staff, subject to Appendix 8 of AO 2.01.

All eligibility rules for housing loans and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply. Any approved housing loan or mortgage interest subsidy prior to the change to fixed-term appointment will continue during the staff’s new appointment under the same terms and conditions as applicable. The outstanding housing loan will be due and payable at the end of employment. All the other eligibility rules apply.