Senior Programs Officer

Important Information

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of 3 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 Bhutan.

Overview

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’s mission is to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic growth in the 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 Bhutan Resident Mission (BHRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD). BHRM staff based in Thimphu work closely with government agencies, development partners, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to discuss and design ADB’s Bhutan assistance program including loans, technical assistance (TA) grants, knowledge products, and institutional strengthening and capacity building support. Aside of preparing the country partnership strategy every 5 years and updating the 3-year rolling assistance program annually, BHRM assists in implementing delegated loans and TA projects. BHRM staff also support ADB HQ staff in designing and implementing loans in Bhutan, and undertaking policy dialogue with the government.

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Job Purpose

The Senior Programs Officer will provide in-depth knowledge and technical expertise to BHRM's country strategy and programming work, policy dialogue, and knowledge management. He/she will report to the Country Director and/or designated international staff and may supervise Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

• Keeps track of Bhutan’s development opportunities and challenges and relevant reports and documents (e.g., Five Year Plan, Annual Budget, Annual Reports of different Ministries) prepared by the government and development partners (e.g., IMF, Japan International Cooperation Agency, UN agencies, World Bank etc.); • Participates in the annual country programming missions and meetings between ADB sector staff and relevant government Ministries to develop a strong assistance pipeline for loan projects and TA grants; • Assists the Country Director and members of the Bhutan country management team to explore the scope for public private partnerships and private sector operations; • Helps identify knowledge products and institutional strengthening / capacity building needs based on the government’s needs; • Provides inputs to sector and thematic colleagues on background country and sector assessments; • Works as member of project processing teams and incoming missions, and provides inputs from the perspective of the Bhutan program; • Tracks and periodically updates the pipeline of loans, TAs, and knowledge projects in consultation with HQ colleagues; • Assists the Country Director during the programming discussions and during the preparation of the Bhutan CPS (every 5 years); • Reviews the latest 5-year plan and provides inputs for the CPS and the linked documents; • Keeps abreast of the programs of other developing partners in Bhutan and identifiies potential synergies with ADB projects and TAs. Ensures that ADB sector staff coordinates closely with the development partners; • Participates in fact-finding and appraisal missions of projects to provide policy advice and programming information to sector staff as required; • Coordinates between the government and ADB HQ staff for organizing meetings / fixing loan negotiations and for getting clearance on legal opinions; • Joins missions to project sites and prepare development effectiveness briefs to raise awareness and share learning; • Designs and implements TA projects as required, and prepares the TA completion report; • Provides inputs for Annual Reports, Member Information Note, and updates briefing folders as required; • Works closely with other staff of BHRM, especially the Economics Officer and Project and Administration Unit staff. Develops good working relationship with all stakeholders (e.g., Government, donors, civil society, private sector) and explore cofinancing opportunities with other development partners. • Performs other duties that may be assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements:

• Master’s degree in economics, business administration, or other relevant fields. • At least 8 years’ relevant work experience in the government, international development agency, or bilateral development agency; with 4 years of supervisory experience; • Experience of working in an international organization will be an advantage. • Sound knowledge of the Royal Government of Bhutan’s overall development policies and specific programs and priorities of relevant ministries and agencies. • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and the national language, with effective report writing in English. • Proficiency in the use of technology packages (common word-processing, spreadsheets and graphics, PowerPoint). • Strong analytical skills. • Ability to handle a multitude of tasks and to adhere to deadlines while producing professional-quality outputs. • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a multicultural team. • Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Level 3.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial fixed 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.