Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Senior Advisor is assigned to the Sector Department 3 (SD3). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to the Director General (DG) and will oversee International and Local Staff.

Your Role

As a Senior Advisor you must demonstrate ADB’s core values of being client-centric, trustworthy, and transformational, and support the DG in overseeing ADB’s finance sector operations by:

(i) working to position ADB as a regional and global leader in development expertise in ADB’s sector operations;

(ii) leading in enhancing the organization and ways of working of SD3 to effectively deliver and achieve the results envisioned by ADB’s Strategy 2030 and its midterm review and the Corporate Results Framework (2025-2030);

(iii) driving internal collaboration among sectors in the development of integrated client solutions, and in developing strong relationship with regional departments and resident missions, as well as other solutions departments; and

(iv) sharpening ADB’s sector expertise and quality, drive innovation, and increase knowledge production, sharing, and relevance and impact to operations, clients, and development partners. The Senior Advisor should demonstrate ADB’s core values of being client-centric, trustworthy, and transformational.

You will:

a. Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership on finance sector operations and sector development agendas. Oversee and support ADB’s sector initiatives.

b. Operational Delivery

• Lead the annual planning of the finance sector work program and provide ongoing supervision of the sector delivery on the regional work programs and satisfaction of its relevant Key Performance Indicators.
• Oversee the work of finance sector office to effectively: (i) deliver operations in line with regional and country work programs; (ii) assist and advise regional departments and their resident missions in sector policy dialogue, diagnostics, business development, programming and identification of solutions; and (iii) develop sector strategies, roadmaps, analytical work, innovative approaches, and initiatives in sector areas, and disseminate ADB’s sector knowledge.
• Drive efficient delivery of finance sector operations, ensure their technical quality and value-addition, ensure that sector staff are effectively assigned to project teams and to meet resident mission needs, fosters cross-regional and cross-sectoral learning, and manage knowledge arising from sector operations.
• Lead the development of a long-term technology vision for the finance sector, development and replication of innovative approaches across the sectors. Drive cross-functional and cross-sector exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing, development of knowledge products, and learning from ongoing and past operations.
• Provide sector expertise and guidance in the finance sector in support to the delivery of nonsovereign and advisory operations, and guide the sector teams in working closely with ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) and Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership (OMDP) in exploring new investment opportunities by providing strong technical inputs. Provide oversight of the sector’s work to support private sector mobilization.
• Oversee contribution of the department to the operations’ design and implementation across all Sectors Departments to ensure alignment with standards for usage of Financial Intermediation Loans.

c. External and Internal Partnerships

• Enhance ADB’s visibility externally and identify opportunities and build strategic partnerships for the finance sector within and outside the Bank.
• Drive collaboration with PSOD, OMDP, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, and other departments: (i) to ensure collaboration with private sector operations on priority sectors, to facilitate the private sector development shift; and (ii) to develop and implement action plans in key thematic areas.
• Partner with the regional departments and country directors (CDs), and ensure that each sector office contributes to the work of regional and country management teams, and incorporates ADB’s priorities into country and regional work programs.
• Ensure that sector directors in the finance sector partner with CDs and contribute to the work of the country management teams.
• Create and lead multi-disciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of their work.

d. Portfolio Management

• Oversee portfolio management in the finance sector, ensuring effective supervision of the portfolio and projects under implementation, in partnership with relevant departments including but not limited to regional departments and the Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management Department.

e. Special Initiatives, Innovation and Knowledge Management

• Lead strategic special initiatives in the sector, the development of ADB’s policies, strategies, operational plans, guidelines and frameworks in the finance sector.
• Drive product and service innovation within the finance sector. Identify and implement best practice approaches to efficiently deliver sector operations, ensure their technical quality and value-addition, ensure that sector staff are effectively assigned to project teams and to meet resident mission needs, foster cross-regional and cross-sectoral learning, and manage knowledge arising from sector operations.
• Lead ADB’s efforts to implement relevant operational priorities and build communities of knowledge of staff engaged in related areas as assigned, including staff in other departments and resident missions.
• Coordinate the development in the finance sector and dissemination of knowledge products and initiatives.

f. People and Talent Management

• Oversee optimal use of sector staff resources, identify the workforce and skills needs, and develop staffing plans to deliver programmed operations and knowledge programs and achieve ADB’s strategic directions in the finance sector.
• Ensure that ADB develops subject matter expertise and technical capabilities in the finance sector.
• Provide support to the DG and Deputy DG in leading sector staff and overseeing careers and skills development.
• Manage the performance of teams and individuals, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance for the finance sector.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to teams and individuals and encourage on-going learning and development for the finance sector.

You will need:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Economics, Finance, Business Administration or related fields. University degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration or related fields and at least 10 years specialized sector experience in similar organization/s, can be considered.
• At least 20 years of strong finance sector experience at senior levels (e.g., managing large teams), with good knowledge of the Asia Pacific region.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large and diverse teams of professionals in various aspects of development.
• Proven strength and experience in the operations of ADB or similar development organizations.
• Sound operational experience in financial sector development. Exposure to private sector operations a benefit.
• Preferred experience as manager for both country and sector or private sector operations, in more than one region beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, link macro and sector strategies and lending and non-lending assistance within a consistent development framework, develop innovative solutions to meet client’s needs, and undertake high-level dialogue on strategic and policy issues.
• Proven senior management experience managing and leading change in a large and diverse organization.
• Proven managerial skills in building highly performing and collaborative teams with strong client orientation.
• Strong partnership building skills to connect with various stakeholders and create opportunities to collaborate and innovate.
• Excellent capabilities in people and talent leadership, strong client and impact orientation, effective communication, and technical acumen.
• Please refer to the link to ADB Competency Framework for M2.

Benefits

ADB offers a rewarding salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (if applicable)
• Relocation (if applicable)
• Retirement plan
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional fixed-term period of up to 3 years or allow it to expire. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB’s medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff’s skills to those plans, and the staff’s managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff’s NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff’s NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

About Us

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is headquartered in Manila and owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members

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