Principal Operations Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution that was established to foster economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 1966, ADB has grown to include 69 member countries, with 50 of those members located in the Asia and Pacific region. The organization is dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development through financial assistance, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. ADB's mission is to create a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and Pacific, and it aims to eradicate extreme poverty while ensuring that development is equitable and sustainable. ADB operates in numerous countries across the region, providing support for various development projects and initiatives.

Job Overview:
As a Principal Operations Specialist, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the overall portfolio management within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD) at ADB. This position requires a strategic mindset and strong leadership skills, as you will be responsible for leading the preparation and monitoring of annual portfolio management plans, ensuring alignment with corporate performance indicators. You will guide sector and country portfolio reviews, facilitating knowledge sharing activities that enhance project quality and performance. Your role will involve preparing comprehensive reports and management briefs that support strategic decision-making, as well as overseeing the integrated portfolio performance database to ensure data accuracy and compliance with ADB policies. You will also contribute to the formulation of country partnership strategies by integrating lessons learned from portfolio implementation, and you will mentor and coach team members to develop their capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Operations Specialist will have a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading the development and monitoring of SERD's annual portfolio management plans; providing leadership and oversight in managing the SERD Portfolio Network; coordinating with Country Operations Heads and sector PAU Heads to track progress against portfolio targets; preparing integrated portfolio reports and management briefs; overseeing the integrated portfolio performance database; ensuring the quality of project administration documents; evaluating project readiness of pipeline projects; contributing to country partnership strategy formulation; leading knowledge-sharing programs across SERD; managing SEOC's technical assistance on portfolio management; mentoring and coaching team members; and undertaking other activities as designated by the Regional Head, Operations Coordination (RHOC).

Required Qualifications:
To be considered for this position, candidates must possess a Master's Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, or other relevant fields. Alternatively, a university degree in Economics or other relevant fields, combined with at least 5 years of specialized experience relevant to the position, may be considered. Candidates should have at least 12 years of relevant professional experience in project and project management, organizational development, and policy formulation at senior levels. Expertise in a specific area of ADB's operations or across multiple areas is essential, along with international experience working in development in several countries. Excellent proficiency in written and verbal communication skills in English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's Degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Economics, or Social Sciences. A university degree in Economics or a related field, along with significant specialized experience, may also be acceptable. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in areas pertinent to the responsibilities of the Principal Operations Specialist role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in project and project management, organizational development, and policy formulation at senior levels. Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in ADB's operations or related fields, with a strong understanding of the complexities involved in managing development projects across various countries.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, both written and verbal. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills to effectively convey complex information and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of 3 years, with the possibility of extension for up to 2 additional years, conversion to a regular appointment, or termination at the end of the initial period based on ADB's needs and the employee's performance. The position is full-time and based at ADB's headquarters in Manila, Philippines. ADB offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including housing and education allowances (if applicable), expatriate benefits (if applicable), a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental leave), life and other insurance plans, and opportunities for staff development. ADB is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background.