Investment Specialist (Climate Finance)

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.

¹Close 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.

This position is for outposting to Thailand Resident Mission (TRM) and is open to internal and external applicants. If the successful candidate is an external candidate, he/she may initially be based in HQ prior to be outposted. If the successful candidate is an internal candidate, the outposting will be immediate.

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 Infrastructure Finance 2 Division (PSIF2) within the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD). PSIF2 is responsible for deal identification and processing, up to signing, for nonsovereign infrastructure projects in East Asia, the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

PSOD provides investment capital to private sector entrepreneurs, corporates and project sponsors, as well as financial intermediaries, such as banks, throughout developing Asia. It catalyzes, structures, and funds investments in privately held and state-sponsored companies across a wide range of industry sectors. Its emphasis is on commercially viable transactions that generate financial returns while also delivering on ADB’s organization-wide mission to promote environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. To learn more about PSOD, watch this video.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Investment Specialist (Climate Finance) will support the origination, development, due diligence, approval and implementation of private sector infrastructure financing projects with a special emphasis on projects with a climate mitigation or adaptation impact, mobilizing climate co-financing and contribute to the development of policy and strategies of country programs, and monitor the development impact of the portfolio including alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate and ensure key issues are considered and proper risk management is applied. The incumbent will have primary reporting arrangements to Director, PSIF2 and secondary reporting arrangements to Country Director, TRM for day-to-day administrative matters. The staff will supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

a. Project Development and Processing
• Supports the origination of a pipeline of private sector infrastructure finance projects with a special emphasis on projects with a climate mitigation or adaptation impact, and screens climate finance investment opportunities through client outreach, marketing and deal screening;
• Ensures that the pipeline meets with the corporate objective of aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate;
• Undertakes and manages the necessary due diligence, financial modeling, risk analysis and mitigation in the structuring of loans, equity investments, guarantees, B-loans or other forms of ADB assistance, including public and private sources of climate finance;
• Leads the internal approval process including interface with credit, safeguards, integrity, legal and other teams as well as management and the Board;
• With the support of internal and external counsel, ensures that appropriate legal documentation is successfully concluded for all deals in line with approvals and that financial close (i.e., first disbursement) is achieved in a timely fashion;
• Leads and undertakes the implementation and the hand-over of administration of private sector infrastructure programs and projects, ensuring compliance with required guidelines, policies and procedures as well as agreed covenants and reporting requirements up to financing effectiveness; and
• Designs and processes technical assistance programs supporting climate finance for mitigation and adaptation.

b. External Liaison
• Facilitates or leads active relationships with commercial lenders, and other financial partners in the region and beyond as well as with developers, investors and governments; and
• Assesses and structures transactions to maximize the potential for commercial co-financing and catalyzing of additional sources of capital including public and private sources of climate finance.

c. Strategy, Policy and Project Evaluation
• Provides strategic inputs and comments on project, policy and other papers related to private sector operations and development across a range of key themes and sectors with a special emphasis on climate finance;
• Drafts, reviews and provides comments on project, policy and other papers related to private sector development and operations issues in various themes and sectors; and
• Participates in country teams for planning and programming purposes, particularly with respect to private sector development and operations and sector priorities.
• Liaises closely with the climate focal of PSOD and with the climate team in SDCC on strategic directions for enhancing the climate portfolio including through access to concessional finance from various funds.

d. Staff Supervision
• Provides leadership and support to reporting staff;
• Supervises the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance; and
• Ensures the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree or equivalent; University degree relevant to assigned sector combined with 5 years specialized experience in similar organization/s may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• At least 8 years work professional experience preferrably including 5 years in climate finance and hands-on experience in processing investments for infrastructure projects, analyzing credit risks, structuring transactions, and syndicating financing, including from dedicated funds supporting mitigation or adaptation.
• Experience in sustainability and climate change strategy, policy, and ESG considerations.
• Experience working in at least one of the following sectors: power, environmental infrastructure, water and wastewater, and transport.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• International experience working in development in several countries preferably in East Asia, the Pacific and Southeast Asia
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 3-4.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.