Senior Project Officer (Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development)

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.

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 India Resident Mission (INRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD). INRM supports in the project implementation of loans and technical assistance (TA) projects and supports the ADB HQ in processing new loans in India. INRM works closely with government agencies, development partners, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate the successful formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and technical assistance (TA) projects.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior Project Officer (Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development) will actively contribute to the INRM by supporting loan and/or TA processing, lead administration, undertake portfolio management, sector-related assessments, and other general sector activities. These cover primarily public but could also include private sector participation, with focus on climate adaptive water resources management, agriculture, and natural resources sector. This position will jointly process Tas and/or loan projects. The Senior Project Officer (Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development) will also lead administration of assigned loans and TAs. The incumbent will report to Country Director, INRM and for sector matters, to the Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development, South, Central and West Asia Team. The staff will also work with designated international staff and may supervise administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Provides support, including potential co-lead to loan and TA project development and processing missions in the AFNR sector. The focus may include implementation arrangements, cost estimates, procurement packaging and related technical issues. • Coordinates with relevant INRM, HQ and field offices of ADB, government agencies, development partners, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate the successful formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and TA projects in AFNR sector. • Leads the administration of assigned Loans and TAs, actively engaging with government counterparts to ensure projects are implemented in line with ADB’s requirements. • Provides co-team leadership (where assigned as project co-lead) by facilitating work planning, delivery and reviews with the team. • Monitors the progress of assigned projects and prepares project performance reports, including periodic reporting and attending project progress related meetings. • Prepares and updates forecasts of contract awards & disbursements, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls and expediting achievement of target levels where possible. • Identifies issues and takes actions to address them through interactions with executing agencies (EAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepares measures to address the issues and implementing the measures, fully in cognizant to legal contractual terms and in-built measures for addressing shortfalls of contractual parties, and dispute resolution procedures. • Prepares internal procurement papers, review of procurement documents including draft technical designs and cost estimates, and papers for extension of loan closing dates, reallocation of loan proceeds, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks. • Provides guidance to government ministries, executing agencies (EAs) and sector entities on ADB guidelines on procurement, recruitment of consultants, and preparation of tender documents, etc. to ensure effective implementation. • Assists EAs in the areas listed above for project administered by various sector divisions in the HQ. • Assists/leads in the preparation of Project Completion Reports and TA completion Reports as assigned. • Supports or participates in Project Review or Country Portfolio Review missions as a mission member when required. • Provides support, taking increasingly lead roles for policy dialogues with government on policy and institutional reform issues, in the context of upstream project development, loan and TA processing and administration. • Maintains close cooperation with other international donors and undertakes meetings and consultations with them, especially in areas relating to donor coordination and harmonization in sector work. • Contributes to sector work in the field by supporting research, updating information on the assigned sector and highlighting latest analysis or research in the sector. • Assists in the preparation of sector assessments within the context of development aid effectiveness and national sector strategy to be utilized for programming purposes. • Maintains up-to-date knowledge base of future Government investment plans and approval processes, organizational structure, and policies relevant to the assigned sectors. • Prepares inputs for sector database for portfolio management. • Acts as the focal point for relevant sub-topics of the AFNR sector and maintains close relationships with the relevant government agencies and HQ staff. • Participates in Tripartite Portfolio Review Meetings (TPRM) and monitors performance of the agriculture and natural resources sector projects, including preparing the related pre- and post-mission documentation. • Undertakes assigned special portfolio management activities (e.g. procurement reviews; sector reviews). • Actively disseminates information on ADB activities to development stakeholders and the public. • Maintains close cooperation with other donors and undertakes meeting and consultation with them, especially in respect to sector partnerships, as and when required. Produces reports, as required, on the tasks undertaken in relation to the above. • Organizes and conducts training workshops for EAs in areas relating to procurement and project administration/management. • Produces reports, as required, on the tasks undertaken in relation to the above. • Performs other duties that may be assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with Master’s degree preferred in related subjects including water resources management, irrigation, hydrology. • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project management and implementation, and at least 5 years of supervisory experience. • Demonstrated expertise and experience within AFNR sector. • Experience & knowledge of various stages of the project cycle (project planning / feasibility analysis / detailed design / project implementation / construction supervision / contract management) is desirable. • Familiarity with ADB procurement and contract management systems including FIDIC is an advantage, preferably with PASS accreditations (for procurement and consultant recruitment) for internal staff. • Technical knowledge of issues in water resources planning, development and management. • Sound knowledge of government administrative systems and procedures. • Familiarity with accepted best practices of procurement and disbursement processes. • Effective report-writing and communication skills in English. • Ability to mentor junior National Staff (NS) and Administrative Staff (AS) to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review. • Ability to liaise and work effectively with government officials within own work location. • Ability to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member. • Strong oral and written communications skills. • Proficiency in the use of technology packages (common word-processing, spreadsheets and graphics, PowerPoint and web-browsing and search engines). • Familiarity with local languages and institutions. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment. • Ability to take initiative and work proactively. • Flexibility/willingness to perform variety of tasks and expand the scope of work and responsibilities as needed. • Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Levels 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.