Financial Control Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a prominent multilateral development bank established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB's mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. With a membership of 69 countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region, ADB works collaboratively with its members and partners to address complex challenges and foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth. The organization employs a diverse workforce and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities. ADB encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women, and aims to ensure a workplace that values diversity and inclusion.

Job Overview:
The Financial Control Specialist position is a critical role within the Office of the Controller (CTOC) at ADB. This position focuses on leading non-digital finance transformation programs aimed at enhancing financial controllership across the organization. The specialist will be responsible for designing, documenting, and standardizing business processes, as well as developing Standard Operating Practices (SOPs) to ensure compliance, efficiency, and consistency in financial operations. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including internal audit, procurement, and IT, to gather requirements and validate process designs. The specialist will also prepare training materials and facilitate sessions to ensure effective adoption of new processes and SOPs. This position is pivotal in driving continuous improvement and maintaining a transformation fact base to inform future enhancements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Financial Control Specialist will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting process discovery to develop concise process charters that capture definitions, main activities, inputs/outputs, stakeholders, and performance indicators; creating detailed process maps and documentation that illustrate workflows and decision points; ensuring all documentation is version-controlled and regularly updated; drafting, standardizing, and publishing SOPs that incorporate main controls, exceptions, and compliance notes; supporting the implementation of governance frameworks, including control matrices and role definitions; collaborating with process owners to ensure policies and controls are well-documented and communicated; working with internal audit and other departments to validate process designs; preparing training materials and facilitating handover sessions; maintaining a centralized repository for SOPs and process documentation; defining and reporting on process adherence and performance metrics; presenting recommendations to finance controllership and steering committees; capturing lessons learned and embedding continuous improvement practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Financial Control Specialist position must possess a university degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, with a preference for postgraduate qualifications or equivalent. Professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, or Lean/Six Sigma are advantageous. Applicants should have at least 6 years of relevant professional experience in finance process improvement, controllership, or accounting roles, particularly within banking, financial services, or development banking. Experience in international settings is highly desirable. Candidates must demonstrate hands-on experience with internal controls, policy drafting, and compliance requirements relevant to finance and accounting, as well as proficiency in developing clear and user-friendly SOPs and process documentation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. A postgraduate degree or equivalent is preferred, as it indicates a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex financial concepts. Professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, or Lean/Six Sigma are also considered beneficial and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in finance process improvement, controllership, or accounting roles. Candidates should have experience working within the banking, financial services, or development banking sectors, with a strong emphasis on international experience. This experience should include hands-on involvement with internal controls, policy drafting, and compliance requirements, as well as collaboration with various teams on process design and implementation.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and verbal English is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for engaging with diverse partners and facilitating the adoption of new processes and SOPs. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in a multicultural environment such as ADB.

Additional Notes:
This appointment is open to both internal and external applicants and is a fixed-term position for an initial period of 3 years. There is potential for extension for up to 2 additional years, conversion to a regular appointment, or termination at the end of the initial period, depending on ADB's needs and the employee's performance. The position is full-time and requires relocation to Manila, with all reasonable relocation expenses covered. ADB offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including housing and education allowances, retirement plans, medical and health benefits, paid leave, and staff development opportunities.