Principal Urban Development Specialist (Transport)

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 Pakistan Resident Mission (PRM) 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 Urban Development and Water Division (CWUW) within the Central and West Asia Department (CWRD). CWRD is responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Central and West Asia region. CWUW is responsible for developing business plans, and processing and implementing investment and technical assistance projects in the water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, urban transport, and other urban services in Central and West Asia. It also supports capacity development and institutional and management change related to the urban services, including public transport.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Principal Urban Development Specialist (Transport) will (i) lead the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on urban sector development and urban environmental improvement in Central and West Asia region, with focus on urban transport in relation with urban and regional planning; (ii) design and implement programs and projects in the urban transport sector, focusing on institutional reforms and organizational developments to strengthen accountability, incentives, efficiency, and transparency for public transport services delivery; (iii) engage directly in dialogue with the governments and clients to promote inclusive, competitive and green cities development, as well as sustainable urban transport; (iv) lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, technical assistance (TAs) projects and non-lending products and services (NLPS) for the urban sector in developing member countries (DMCs).

The position will be an outposted position to Pakistan Resident Mission for an initial period of three years, to be reviewed for extension or for return to Urban Development and Water Division, CWRD (CWUW). The incumbent should meet the project processing and administration responsibilities of the CWUW portfolio in Pakistan and support business development of a robust pipeline. In addition, as required, technical support will be provided as a mission member to projects in other countries where CWUW projects are under processing and implementation.

The position will have a dual reporting arrangement to Director, CWUW on substantive technical, operational and policy- and strategy-related aspects and Country Director, PRM for day-to-day administrative matters thus, work plan and annual performance shall be jointly reviewed and assessed by Director, CWUW and Country Director, PRM. The incumbent will supervise Administrative Staff and National Staff.

Responsibilities

• Identify, design and process TAs, loans and NLPS in the urban transport sector, including mass-transit infrastructures and services (Bus Rapid Transit, Light Rail Transport, Mass-Rapid Transit), non-motorized transport infrastructures (sidewalks improvement, bicycle lanes, etc.), traffic management, urban road safety, urban missing links (roads and bridges), transport demand management (parking infrastructure and management, congestion charges, etc.), transit-oriented urban development, and other infrastructure and services related to sustainable urban transport. Ensure quality and compliance of all proposed urban transport facilities and operations with respect to ADB’s urban development policies and strategies, such as Strategy 2030 and ADB’s Sustainable Transport Initiative.
• Ensure key technical, economic, financial, and cross-cutting issues such as environmental and social safeguards (including gender aspects) requirements, are incorporated into projects’ design. Contribute to application of innovations and high-level technologies in urban transport sector, with a focus on green vehicle technology, climate change mitigation and adaptation and digital technologies.
• Lead the administration of the urban transport portfolio for CWUW. Administer the loan and review the implementation of infrastructure projects. Advise the client on procurement issues. Provide technical inputs. Ensure compliance with ADB’s social and environmental safeguards and other requirements.
• Participate in country teams and provide inputs around urban transport issues for Country Partnership Strategy and Country Operations Business Plans. Manage and report on the urban transport portfolio in CWRD. Participate and support the work of relevant Sector Groups (e.g., Transport and Urban) and in other interdepartmental working groups. Comment on policy papers that have an impact on the preparation and administration of urban development and urban transport projects. Conduct peer-reviews and comment on project design of urban transport projects developed in ADB’s other geographical departments.
• Design roadmaps and instruments such as sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs) and urban transport investment plans to guide urban administrations in their infrastructure planning, design and delivery of urban transport services, focusing on institutional and organizational developments for better governance.
• Support the effective coordination with development partners on lending and non-lending products and strategic initiatives in the urban transport sector. Leverage ADB’s financing and attracts co-financing from other development partners to finance financing gaps in urban transport projects led by ADB. Review the opportunity to co-finance urban transport projects led by other development partners.
• Participate in the continuous assessment of sustainable urban transport policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to best practices and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs. Ensure the development impact of the urban transport portfolio through monitoring and evaluation. Contribute to the analytical and advisory work, including policy and institutional analysis, developing strategy options, inquiries into emerging urban themes, and capacity building programs to meet the urbanization challenges and increase the volume and development of urban development and urban transport programs and projects in DMCs.
• Contribute to knowledge management, plan and prepare knowledge products and activities (e.g., workshops, publications) on issues that are relevant to the DMCs of Central and West Asia region in the urban transport sector. Represent ADB and participate in government and development partners meetings and working groups on urban transport development, as assigned, for knowledge sharing and coordinating and promoting ADB’s urban transport initiatives.
• Provide leadership and support to reporting staff. Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in transport engineering, transport planning, urban and regional planning, urban management, economics or relevant fields. Alternatively, university degree in related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in urban development with focus on urban transport, and in urban transport project design and administration.
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Demonstrated project team leadership, including (i) portfolio management; (ii) practical knowledge and experience in integration of technical, financial, economic, institutional and environmental and social safeguard requirements and issues in project design; and (iii) practical knowledge and experience in project administration issues, such as procurement, contract management and technical review of construction works.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills with ability to deal effectively with all types of internal and external clients/stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5 and 6.

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.