Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB's mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization is owned by 69 members, with 50 of them from the region, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to fostering prosperity across Asia. ADB collaborates with its members and partners to address complex challenges, utilizing innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives and build quality infrastructure. ADB is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their background, gender, or disabilities. Women are particularly encouraged to apply for positions within the organization.

Job Overview:
As a Project Officer at ADB, you will play a crucial role in contributing to the management and administration of projects within the Water and Urban Development Sector Office. Your responsibilities will include portfolio management, project administration, budget preparation, and monitoring, as well as knowledge management related to loans and technical assistance (TA) projects. You will be involved in various activities that cover assigned geographies within the sector or different practice areas, depending on your skills, experience, and career goals. The position requires a proactive approach to ensure that project administration tasks are executed efficiently and effectively, and that the quality of project performance is maintained. You will also be expected to analyze sector portfolio performance and provide guidance to team members, ensuring that necessary actions are taken promptly to address any issues that arise.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Officer include:

• Contributing to portfolio management activities by developing and maintaining a database of key performance indicators and project administration issues; preparing consolidated and analytical portfolio management reports; ensuring timely actions are taken by concerned staff; and providing stop-gap support as necessary.
• Analyzing sector portfolio performance and project administration workload, providing guidance to team members.
• Coordinating with project administration teams across the sector office.
• Reviewing mission reports, progress reports, and project performance indexes regularly to ensure quality and conduct special loan/TA review missions.
• Monitoring and reviewing data accuracy to ensure quality in Project Performance Reports and making recommendations to achieve targets.
• Preparing portfolio analysis reports for effective internal and external communication.
• Reviewing loan, grant, and TA processing documents for compliance with ADB guidelines.
• Providing inputs to sector office initiatives in project administration to improve operational efficiency.
• Ensuring compliance with no objection procedures for various financing instruments. 1
• Participating in project inception, review, and completion missions, providing guidance on project reports and implementation arrangements. 1
• Contributing to the preparation of annual portfolio management programs and monitoring budget utilization. 1
• Performing other responsibilities as assigned in your workplan.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the Project Officer position, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in economics, development studies, business administration, or related fields, with a preference for advanced training. Additionally, candidates should have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience in project process or administration. Proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential, along with strong computer skills, particularly in spreadsheets and word processing software. A comprehensive understanding of ADB's operational processes and administration guidelines is required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with individuals from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are also crucial for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as economics, development studies, business administration, or other related disciplines. Advanced training or education in these areas is preferred, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to perform effectively in the role of Project Officer.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in project process or administration. This experience should ideally include work in a similar role within a development bank or related organization, demonstrating a strong understanding of project management and administration processes.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a strong ability to express ideas clearly in both spoken and written formats. While English is the primary language required for this position, knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Asia-Pacific region may be considered an asset, 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, 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 open to both internal and external applicants, and multiple positions may be filled from this vacancy, with priority given to candidates for the Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) and South Asia (SA) teams. ADB offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including housing and education allowances (if applicable), expatriate benefits (if applicable), retirement plans, medical and health benefits, paid leave, and staff development opportunities.