Senior Urban Development Specialist (Environment and Wastewater)

Job Purpose:

Coordinate and support ADB’s efforts to address the increasing demands for sustainable urban development, focusing on provision of environmental, wastewater and sanitation infrastructure. Lead Bank-wide wastewater management revolution initiative and assist in promoting Public Private Partnership (PPP) approaches to the provision of such infrastructure where feasible, in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs), and provide technical and policy advice to increase ADB’s investments and technical assistance in urban infrastructure. Support ADB Management, regional departments’ urban and water sector teams, and the Urban and Water Communities of Practice (CoPs) in developing and implementing general strategic direction of ADB’s assistance in urban and wastewater areas. Identify, develop, implement and administer Technical Assistance (TAs) projects in the urban and wastewater sector. Assist in the development and implementation of urban and water operational plans. Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

- Support and provide key inputs to, operations departments’ urban and water sector teams across the complete operational cycle, from economic and sector work and strategy/road map preparation, with focus on environmental and wastewater/sanitation aspects.
- Provide inputs to divisional and departmental urban and wastewater-related programs and technical assistance, and contribute to knowledge sharing on urban thematic issues through networks, sectoral committees, and external partnerships.
- Provide analytical inputs, incorporating lessons learned and best practice from other regions and countries, to address urban and water sector issues within a country, particularly in relation to design and application of financing instruments to environmental and climate change projects in the urban and water sector.
- Interact with government, the private sector and other stakeholders in our client countries to identify opportunities for investments in urban and wastewater infrastructure, strengthening urban and wastewater institutions, and promoting public-private partnerships, in line with sector strategies and road maps.
- Assist Director, RSID, and chairs of the Urban and Water CoPs in overseeing the quality of the output of the CoPs and RSID consultants in accordance with ADB policies, guidelines and best practices, representing the Department as alternate in the Urban and Water CoP committee and leading the “Green Cities” and wastewater agendas of the CoPs.
- Assist in CoP’s promotion of the urban and water sectors within the bank and externally through its newsletter, publications, media products, and related documentation.
- Assist Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) in providing inputs related to Bank-wide urban sector operations.
- Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Infrastructure/Project Finance, Urban Economics, Urban Planning, Environment, Water Engineering or related fields. University degree in Infrastructure/Project Finance, Urban Economics, Urban Planning, Environment, Water Engineering or related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level;
- At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, including a proven track record in preparing urban infrastructure projects, particularly urban environmental, climate change, wastewater, and river clean-up projects, working with urban and water development agencies, and the development and implementation of urban development and wastewater strategies and capacity building activities in the sector
- International experience working in development in several countries, preferably with exposure to both Asian and advanced economies.
- Strong analytical capabilities with demonstrated ability to contribute to ADB’s knowledge management activities, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and an ability to represent ADB at an international level in the urban and water sector.
- Record of delivering innovative, strategic and high value-added solutions in the sector;
- Proven mission leadership and management qualities and demonstrated multidisciplinary skills.

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

- Supervisor: Director, RSID
- The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
- Administrative Staff
- National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.