Project Officer (Energy)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of 3 (three) years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. After the initial fixed period, ADB has the option to renew the appointment for up to three years or allow it to expire. This decision is based on ADB’s overall interest in retaining the skills and experience of the staff for medium-term work program within the respective group, department, or office, while considering the availability of funding sources.

This vacancy is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and residents of India.

Overview

The 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 India Resident Mission (INRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD). INRM assists in the project implementation of sovereign loans and technical assistance (TA) projects and supports the ADB HQ in processing new sovereign loans in India. INRM is responsible for policy dialogue, country reporting, country strategy and program formulation, regional cooperation, portfolio management, project administration, economic and sector work, financial and administrative activities, coordination of ADB's activities with the government, donors, nongovernment organizations, academic institutions, and other members of civil society, and external relations and information dissemination.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Project Officer (Energy) is tasked with supporting INRM in the management of sovereign loans, and TA processing and administration, portfolio management, sector work, and other general sector activities, covering public sector operations in the energy sector. The position supports ADB’s multi-faceted strategy to facilitate India’s transition towards a climate-resilient and sustainable economy, with key intervention areas including, climate change mitigation and adaptation, clean energy transition, decarbonization of the economy, and the promotion of a circular economy. The incumbent is expected to take up cross-cutting energy projects, with focus on new and emerging areas of engagement in energy sector for ADB assistance such as (i) renewable energy generation and energy efficiency in industries; (ii) power sector reforms and improved operational efficiency of distribution companies; (iii) carbon market operations; (iv) energy storage and new technologies including green hydrogen, battery energy storage systems, pumped hydro-storage, district cooling etc.; and (v) just energy transition with livelihood enhancement of affected populations. The Officer will also support and coordinate with ADB’s private sector operations in the energy sector, as well as take charge of scoping out knowledge work in the above areas including on carbon markets; carbon capture, saving, and use; and non-price policy levers on behavioral change for low-carbon development. The incumbent will report to the designated International Staff and/or senior National Staff

Responsibilities

• Supports sovereign loan and TA processing mission execution in the energy sector, emphasizing cross-cutting energy projects, climate-centric project development, and emerging engagement areas , with particular attention given to implementation arrangements, cost estimates, procurement packaging and related technical issues; • Liaises with and coordinates among ADB HQ and field offices, government agencies, development partners, and various stakeholders to facilitate formulation, processing, administration, and monitoring of ADB-financed sovereign loans and TAs within the energy sector; • Administers the implementation of ADB-financed sovereign projects and TAs delegated to INRM to ensure effective implementation, including: o monitoring the progress of assigned sovereign projects and prepares project performance reports. o preparing annual forecasts of contract awards and disbursement, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls, and expediting achievements of target levels; o identifying and analyzing issues related to project implementation through interaction with executing agency, contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepares measures to address the issues and implementing the measures; o reviewing bid evaluation reports and preparing internal procurement papers; o preparing internal papers and correspondences for extension of loan closing dates and reallocation of loan proceeds; o reviewing, as required, internal and external papers related to the sectors and preparing comments/suggestions. o providing advice to government ministries/departments and concerned agencies on ADB guidelines on procurement, recruitment of consultants, preparation of tender documents, etc. o maintaining up-to-date knowledge base of future government investment plans and approval processes and organizational structure and policies relevant to the assigned sector(s); and o preparing project completion reports for delegated projects and TA completion Reports as assigned, while reviewing and assessing impact of intervention being undertaken under ADB-financed projects/TAs; • Maintains a comprehensive understanding of economic, social, and environmental trends as well as government policies and initiatives, with a specific focus on their impact on energy projects. Monitors, reviews, and updates INRM on the status and developments in the energy sector and related emerging areas to assess challenges and opportunities in the sector; • Monitors key policy and institutional reforms in the national and state energy sectors and assesses their implications for ADB-supported operations and future pipeline operations; • Provides information and analyses related to strategies for the energy sector, including INRM projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, clean energy transition, transport decarbonization, and the promotion of a circular economy, in consultation with sector team at HQ and relevant government agencies; • Contributes to the development of country partnership strategies and sector and thematic roadmaps in relation to the energy sector; • Participates in Country Portfolio Review Missions, monitors the performance of energy sector projects and climate-focused project development, entailing the preparation of both pre-mission and post-mission documentation; • Conceptualizes or provides support in conducting upstream and operationally-relevant knowledge studies on the power sector in general and new, emerging areas in the sector in particular. Prepares knowledge products on topics agreed with the supervisor and/or HQ sector team; • Helps identify opportunities for private sector participation in power sector and scope for One ADB collaborations; • Helps organize, contributes to, supports, and participates in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops, including country programming missions; • Maintains close cooperation with other donors, proactively engaging in meetings and consultations with them, particularly regarding sector partnerships, as necessary; • Assists in organizing and conducting training workshops for executing agencies and implementing agencies in areas relating to procurement and project administration/management; • Performs other tasks as assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in electrical engineering, science, or technology. Advanced training in any of these fields or business management will be an advantage; • At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector (preferably in the power sector and climate-focused projects); • Experience and knowledge of various stages of the project cycle (project planning/feasibility analysis/detailed design/project implementation/construction supervision/contract management) is desirable; • Familiarity with accepted best practices in procurement and disbursement processes; • Sound knowledge of the Indian government’s administrative systems and procedures, particularly public procurement systems; • Ability to research, analyze and check data from external and internal sources, reconcile or explain inconsistencies and perform statistical calculations; • Strong conceptual skills and ability to identify issues and appropriate actions at the field office level; • Strong planning and organizing skills to handle many tasks with deadlines; • Ability to liaise and work effectively with government officials and other stakeholders within own work location; • Strong work ethic, including ability to work collaboratively with supervisors and other colleagues; • Effective report writing and communication skills in English; • Familiarity with local languages and institutions; • Ability to manage priorities and workload within general schedule of work, instructions and standardized practices; • Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Level 2.

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.