Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you looking to have a lasting impact on 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 Country Operations Head is assigned to the PRC Resident Mission (PRCM) within the East Asia Department. You will be based at our Resident Mission Office in Beijing, PRC.

You will report to Country Director, PRCM with a matrix reporting to Deputy Country Director and the Regional Head, Operations Coordination (ROC) of the East Asia Department and will oversee national staff (NS) and administrative staff (AS).

Your Role

As a Country Operations Head, you will: (i) assist the country director and the deputy country director in the sound management of operations in the PRC resident mission, and (ii) coordinate country programming, business planning, quality assurance and portfolio monitoring and organize the provision of operations services to project teams.

You will:

Country portfolio management and programming

• Lead the country portfolio performance review, which includes monitoring and reporting on sovereign and non-sovereign operations (programming, pipeline and portfolio management) at country level to achieve country KPIs, and provide guidance on PRC-related operational issues and compliance with ADB policies.
• Guide project teams on country-specific project and portfolio management issues. Oversee project-related communication and coordination with government and stakeholders. Consult with clients to swiftly resolve project issues, in collaboration with the solutions departments/offices.
• Support CD and DCD in assuring project/TA implementation arrangements are designed to meet country context. Guide sectors in the design and processing of projects to ensure that they are delivered to promote ADB’s regional and country priorities, meet PRC’s needs, and fit the local context.
• Lead the country programming team on the allocation of operational resources in the country in collaboration with sector groups, PSOD/OMDP and the regional operations coordination office. Support the country management team (CMT) members to guarantee a portfolio of well-prepared and projects that meet client needs and promote ADB’s priorities, e.g. climate change and private sector development.
• Monitor pipelines and progress of lending and non-lending operations to ensure delivery of the country program and smooth implementation. Liaise with development partners on co-financing opportunities. Provide inputs into CPS and CPS reviews from a programming, pipeline and portfolio management perspective.
• Advise the CD and support the DCD and ROC to enhance the quality of project-level documentation, concurrences and decisions for sovereign operations and technical assistance, as determined by SIs and PAIs. Liaise with ROC on all matters of quality assurance.

Work planning

• Support CD, DCD and the country management team in preparation of PRCM’s work plan and agreement on regional department KPIs, and set standard operating procedures for functioning.
• Organize and advise on the provision of operational services (e.g., safeguards, procurement, financial management) and thematic services (e.g., climate change, gender), to ensure support to project teams delivering operations in the country.

Capacity development

• Provide operational capacity development to staff and external clients on both sovereign and nonsovereign operations management, manage the performance of teams and individuals, and provide mentoring, and undertake other activities as designated by CD, DCD and ROC. Coordinate with ROC and Regional Head, PSD.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s Degree, in project management, finance, economics, business administration or equivalent; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years relevant professional experience managing projects, portfolios and pipelines for development institutions. International experience working in development in several countries.
• Experience in the procurement and administration of large works and goods contracts; and with applicable accreditation for procurement and consulting service (for internal applicants, with Procurement Accreditation Skills Scheme (PASS) accreditation)
• Procurement Accreditation Skills Scheme (PASS) accreditation preferred (non-accredited may be considered though will be required to complete accreditation within 1 year of appointment.)
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivities.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English