Associate Investment Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution that was established in 1966 and is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB is composed of 69 member countries, with 50 of them from the Asia and Pacific region. The organization is dedicated to fostering economic growth and cooperation in the region, with a mission to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development. ADB combines financial resources, knowledge, and partnerships to achieve its goals, and it operates in various sectors including infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while continuously working towards eradicating extreme poverty. The organization is known for its collaborative approach and aims to create an inclusive environment for all its employees, encouraging diversity and equal opportunities.

Job Overview:
The Associate Investment Officer position is a critical role within the Agribusiness Investment Team (AIT) at the Asian Development Bank. The primary responsibility of this role is to provide technical support throughout the investment process, which includes screening, due diligence, structuring, obtaining approvals, negotiating, implementing, and closing direct debt financing, guarantees, equity investments, and technical assistance programs specifically in the food and agribusiness sector. The position is based in the People's Republic of China and focuses on projects that may extend beyond agribusiness to include rural tourism, manufacturing, and services. The Associate Investment Officer will be expected to engage in project processing, transaction origination, portfolio management, strategy and planning, and knowledge sharing, ensuring compliance with ADB's internal guidelines and market best practices. This role is pivotal in fostering relationships with stakeholders and ensuring that projects align with ADB's mission of promoting sustainable development in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Investment Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Project Processing: Provide technical and coordination support in identifying, developing, and processing transactions for ADB's private sector direct agribusiness investment. Conduct comprehensive financial assessments, including analysis of audited financial statements, financial modeling, credit ratings for debt transactions, and valuations for equity transactions. Ensure thorough due diligence on market, commercial, technical, environmental, social, corporate governance, and integrity issues related to proposed transactions. Ensure compliance with internal guidelines and market best practices during the structuring, negotiations, and legal documentation phases. Design and implement relevant technical assistance programs to complement projects. Draft concept papers and documentation for the Investment Committee and ADB Board.
• Transaction Origination: Assist in developing a pipeline for ADB private sector direct agribusiness investments by identifying potential debt or equity transactions with strong developmental impact and robust financial profiles. Provide industry, market, financial, and credit information on targeted companies. Build and maintain relationships with food and agribusiness companies, financiers, and advisors in the region, particularly in the PRC.
• Handover of Portfolio Projects: Lead and coordinate the handover of portfolio projects from AIT to PSOD's Portfolio Management division, ensuring timely and complete transfer of documentation and knowledge associated with transactions.
• Strategy and Planning: Collaborate with other PSOD teams and departments on project-related and strategic policy matters, including participation in the New Operation Model's pilot for closer collaboration with the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office. Support PRCM and EARD with the PRC CPS work and government engagement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Participate in and contribute to learning events and activities for knowledge building; draft, review, and provide comments on project, policy, and other papers related to private sector development and operations, particularly in the agribusiness sector. Maintain and share knowledge of emerging best practices in the agribusiness sector.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Associate Investment Officer position will possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification or a Master's degree in business administration or finance is preferred. Candidates should have at least 5 years of work experience in corporate and project lending and equity investments, with specific exposure to the food and agribusiness sector in Asia. A strong understanding of financial modeling, equity valuation, corporate and project finance, and other core banking and investment skills is essential. Familiarity with ADB's policies and processes would be advantageous. Candidates must demonstrate written and verbal proficiency in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Educational Background:
Candidates applying for the Associate Investment Officer position should have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. A Master's degree in business administration or finance, or a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification is highly desirable. This educational background is crucial as it provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for the complex financial assessments and investment strategies that the role entails.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in corporate and project lending and equity investments, particularly within the food and agribusiness sector in Asia. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the candidate is well-versed in the intricacies of financial modeling, equity valuation, and corporate finance, as well as having a solid understanding of the investment landscape in the region. Candidates should also have experience in conducting due diligence and managing investment portfolios, which are critical components of the Associate Investment Officer's responsibilities.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within ADB and for documentation purposes. Additionally, written and verbal proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is required, given the focus on projects within the People's Republic of China. Knowledge of other languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This appointment is open to both internal and external applicants and is classified as a local staff position, meaning it is only available to nationals and permanent residents of the People's Republic of China. The position is a fixed-term appointment with the option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years or until the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes first. After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional 3 years based on various factors, including the staff's performance and the organization's needs. It is important to note that this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. ADB offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental leave), life and other insurance plans, and opportunities for staff development.