Principal Public-Private Partnership Specialist

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Close relatives¹ of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹ Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

The position is assigned in the Office of Public-Private Partnership (OPPP). OPPP coordinates and supports ADB-wide Public-Private Partnership (PPP) operations and knowledge management through the PPP-Thematic Group Secretariat (PPP-TGS) and provides transaction advisory services (TAS) to developing member country (DMC) clients in Asia and the Pacific. PPP-TGS is a dedicated group responsible for the smooth and effective functioning of the PPP Thematic Group which is a cross-cutting network of ADB staff with an interest in understanding, facilitating, and/or implementing PPPs. PPP-TGS plays a cross-institutional role particularly providing support in formulating the Country Partnership Strategies (CPS) and Country Operations Business Plans (COBPs); provide support to the operations department to achieve PPP outcomes; and provide knowledge management and knowledge sharing support for PPP advocacy and capacity development. TAS assists public and private sector clients in identifying, preparing, structuring and procuring viable and bankable projects through a PPP modality. TAS aims to promote PPP projects to catalyze public and private capital investment for development purposes as well as operational expertise of the private sector for development of infrastructure and delivery of its services. Aside from TAS, OPPP, through PPP-TGS, also manages the Asia Pacific Project Preparation Facility (AP3F) that helps governments, and their private sector partners, establish a pipeline of bankable PPP projects. The AP3F is a multi-donor trust fund aiming to increase the level of infrastructure development and enhance the quality of infrastructure in Asia and the Pacific. The AP3F helps DMCs to prepare a pipeline of “ready-to-finance” infrastructure projects by (i) assisting with due diligence and helping to address impediments to investment decisions; (ii) supporting project design; and (iii) assisting with project preparation, structuring, and tendering. Target sectors include energy, transport, urban development, and social infrastructure.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

JOB PURPOSE

The Principal Public-Private Partnership Specialist leads the development and implementation of bank-wide knowledge management activities. Contributes to the development and maintenance of thematic policies, strategies, operational plans, and directional papers to guide bank-wide work in relation to PPP, as well as provides operations support in implementing sovereign projects with PPP components, ensuring their alignment with ADB’s Strategy 2030 and mutual consistency. Works with complex issues and guides others in resolving complex problems with high levels of risk.

The incumbent will report to the Chief of PPP Thematic Group and will supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

a. Strategic Coordination and Management

• Leads in the development and implementation of the revised PPP Operational Plan (2020-2030) for ADB, and drive PPP TG’s strategies in line with the revised Operational Plan and ADB’s Strategy 2030.
• Leads ADB in the strategic discussions with international and multilateral organizations on matters relating to PPPs as well as ADB’s PPP operations.
• Leads preparation and implementation of PPP TG work plan and provides leadership in all PPP TG technical and operational matters under supervision and guidance by Chief, PPP-TGS, contributing new or innovative approaches to policy and operational issues.
• Facilitates effective internal communication and foster a TG environment conducive to achieving high staff morale and motivation.

b. Strategic Operations Support

• Provides input in developing and maintaining thematic policies, strategies, operational plans, and directional papers.
• Fosters and drives innovation, technical and thought leadership and future looking bank-wide initiatives to help develop future business.
• Supports the regional departments (RDs) in the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and Country Operations Business Plan (COBP) and also in selection and prioritization of PPP projects.
• Provides practical solutions and advice to the RDs in implementation of sovereign projects with PPP deliverables, including critical support for Pillar 1 and 2 interventions.
• Provides a peer review for CPS, thematic assessments, and projects and provide advice on project implementation issues to ensure high impact solutions and outcomes through PPP.
• Monitors quality assurance, including reporting to Chief, PPP-TGS on work plan progress and advising on critical issues.
• Works in partnership with other Sector and Thematic Groups (STGs), in order to find collaborative solutions to complex development challenges.

c. Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing

• Promotes best practices and knowledge, by bringing in global/regional best practices to ADB and promoting ADB’s best practice externally.
• Leads in the Identification and development of knowledge in new emerging areas and promotes dissemination of technical knowledge and learning as the basis for future operations.
• Provides support in building corporate knowledge, including reporting, briefing papers, speeches, and supports to corporate initiatives.
• Ensures timely flow and captures of knowledge and expertise.
• Promotes capture of tacit knowledge in PPPs operations and disseminates the same using existing knowledge platforms in ADB.

d. Human Resource and Talent Management

• Develops and/or deliver periodic internal training for ADB staff on PPP matters to develop a consistent approach for the bank and ensure that best practices are reflected bank-wide.
• Contributes to new staff orientation programs to ensure ADB’s emphasis on PPP in all its operations is adequately communicated.

e. Staff Supervision

• Demonstrates leadership and motivates reporting staff to perform at their full capacity.
• Supervises the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to reporting staff and ensures their on-going learning and development.

f. Others

• Undertakes tasks which are directed by Chief, PPP-TGS and/or Head OPPP from time to time.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience and Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent, in related fields. University degree combined with significant specialized experience in similar organization/s, will be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree
• At least 12 years of relevant experience within the PPP thematic area at senior levels
• At least 10 years direct market experience for structuring PPP projects and leading PPP transaction advisory business at a global level
• Experience working in diverse multi-cultural environments
• Proven ability to act as a trusted, strategic advisor, partnering with clients to deliver results
• Proven ability to influence the design and execution of major policy initiatives, and promote innovations in project design and management
• Demonstrated organizational cross-cutting skills (e.g. collaboration, mentoring, innovation)
• Demonstrated experience working across boundaries and with complex multiple stakeholders
• Has a track record of conducting effective policy dialogue with country partners
• Proven ability to effectively implement complex change management initiatives
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• International experience working in several countries
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 6