Senior Private Sector Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution that was established to promote social and economic development in Asia. Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, ADB has been operational since 1966 and currently comprises 69 member countries, with 50 of these from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB's mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development across the region, focusing on creating a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. The organization combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to achieve its goals, particularly under its Strategy 2030 framework, which aims to address the challenges of extreme poverty and foster economic growth. ADB is committed to providing equal opportunities and encourages diversity within its workforce, actively promoting the inclusion of women and underrepresented groups in its hiring processes.

Job Overview:
The Senior Private Sector Development Specialist will play a pivotal role in leading the South Asia Department's (SARD) initiatives aimed at enhancing private sector development and fostering public-private partnerships (PPP). This position is critical in shaping country partnership strategies and project pipelines that incorporate private sector development components. The specialist will be responsible for identifying opportunities for private sector-led growth and PPPs, supporting operations related to capacity building and project preparation, and driving policy reforms that create long-term value. The role requires a strategic mindset to develop PSD-related strategies in collaboration with various stakeholders, ensuring that ADB's financing operations align with the needs of the private sector. The specialist will also manage relationships with both public and private sector clients, contributing to ADB's knowledge services on investment climates and private sector development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Private Sector Development Specialist include:

• Strategy and Planning: Develop and lead PSD-related strategies in South Asia, contributing to the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and annual regional work programs.
• Business Development: Identify and monitor PSD needs, facilitate ADB's financing operations, and conduct policy dialogues with governments and partners to promote PSD and PPP initiatives.
• Investment and Operation: Review proposals for sovereign and non-sovereign operations, ensuring the integration of PSD components and consistency across modalities.
• External Relations and Coordination: Build and manage relationships with government agencies, development partners, and private sector stakeholders.
• Knowledge Services: Lead ADB's knowledge services related to private sector development and PPP, addressing challenges and sharing best practices.
• Staff Supervision and Team Building: Establish and lead a task team on private sector development, supervising staff performance and ensuring ongoing learning and development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in economics, business administration, finance, accounting, public policy, or related fields. Alternatively, a university degree with at least 5 years of specialized experience relevant to the position may be considered. A minimum of 10 years of work experience in private sector and public-private partnership project/program development, infrastructure transaction advisory, or commercial finance is required. Experience working with governments, investors, banks, and international organizations is essential, along with diversified international experience in development institutions or the private sector in developing countries. Candidates should also have experience in managing teams and capacity development processes.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as economics, business administration, finance, accounting, or public policy. A university degree combined with significant specialized experience may also be acceptable, demonstrating the candidate's capability to fulfill the role's responsibilities effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant work experience in private sector development, public-private partnerships, and infrastructure transaction advisory. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with various stakeholders, including governments, investors, and international organizations, and should possess diversified international experience in development finance or related sectors.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of ADB. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Asia-Pacific region may be considered an advantage, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders.

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 or conversion to a regular appointment based on performance and organizational needs. ADB offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including housing and education allowances, expatriate benefits, retirement plans, medical and health benefits, paid leave, and life insurance plans. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.