Job Description
Southeast Asia Department (Lao Resident Mission)
Job Purpose:
Oversee the work in the Lao Resident Mission (LRM), especially quality control and ensure that the key result areas are met. As a member of SERD’s Management team, the Country Director works within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods. Work within a broad concept and framework to define own scope of objectives and activities, applying a high level of autonomy in selecting appropriate methods and approaches.
Expected Outcomes:
a. Leadership and Strategic Management
- Provide leadership that encourages innovation, robust implementation, and high development impact.
- Oversee and manages complex projects and assignments, some involving high levels of risk, many variables, and one or more multi-disciplinary teams.
- Provide leadership in professional and operational matters in the LRM, and provide local knowledge for project design.
- Contribute substantially new or innovative approaches to policy and operational issues involving the LRM in order to maximize development impact of ADB operations.
- Oversee and review the work of the LRM staff and quality of work outputs, guiding staff and defining tasks.
b. Country Partnership Strategy
- Supervise the preparation of a results based Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and Country Operations Business Plan (COBP).
- Coordinate with Headquarters (HQ) divisions for the implementation of operational strategies.
c. Project Management
- Support the processing of new loans and technical assistance (TAs), in all sectors, in which ADB is involved, including arrangements for ADB missions.
- Support the administration of TA projects, including follow-up actions, TA approvals, loan effectiveness, appointment of consultants, procurements, disbursements, as well as the adequate provision and timely release of budget allocations.
d. Portfolio Management
- Oversee and supervise the administration of delegated loans and TA projects to improve ADB’s portfolio performance.
- Support the administration of HQ-administered loans and TAs.
- Oversee the annual Country Portfolio Performance Review.
- Oversee periodic country portfolio review missions with support from HQ, including mission follow-up support.
e. Economic, Thematic and Sector Work
- Oversee and supervise the preparation of economic and sector studies.
- Oversee and provide relevant and current information on economic and political issues and policy changes, undertaking analysis and engaging in policy dialogue with the government, and regularly reporting to HQ.
f. Regional Cooperation
- Actively participate in various activities under ADB-supported sub-regional economic cooperation programs and other regional activities as planned.
- Coordinate with other development and aid agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society, academia and the private sector, on assistance strategies and programs, including cofinancing operations.
g. External Relations and Coordination
- Liaise with concerned government agencies, facilitate local communications and the two-way flow of communication between HQ and the government.
h. Operations Management
- Ensure efficient and effective operation of the LRM through proper management of financial and staff resources.
- Undertake the performance management of the LRM, including motivation of LRM staff.
- Contribute substantially to providing information and recommendations to the Director General of significant developments, emerging opportunities and challenges in area of responsibility.
i. Staff supervision
- Create and lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of its work.
- Manage the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their ongoing learning and development.
Educational Requirements:
A university degree in Economics, Engineering or other related fields; preferably at postgraduate level or its equivalent
Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:
- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 15 years of professional work experience, including regional, country and sector project experience
- Experience in working on Asian Development Fund countries and regional cooperation programs will be an advantage
- Widely recognized for demonstrated expertise and substantial achievements in one or more fields of specialization
- Broad-based exposure to policies and procedures
- Good supervisory and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to liaise effectively with Management, senior staff, staff of other international organizations and government officials
- Knowledge of local language will be an advantage
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- International experience working in development in several countries
Core Competencies:
Technical Knowledge and Skills - Applies technical knowledge and skills at the policy and strategy level
- Works at the leading edge of own technical specialism
- Recognized as ADB’s expert spokesperson in the specialist area
Client Orientation - Involves stakeholder client groups in relevant strategic planning
- Ensures satisfaction of client groups in DMCs (e.g., government agencies, private sector parties, NGOs) with differing and conflicting needs
- Establishes effective relationships with high level key decision makers and opinion leaders
Achieving Results - Ensures work of own Resident Mission contributes to achieving results Departmental results
- Regularly reviews progress to ensure work of the Resident Mission is on target
- Is a role model for results orientation and output quality
Working Together - Develops the team skills in interdepartmental teamwork
- Leads teams in a way that demonstrates the value of diversity in different views, culture, nationality, and gender
- Able to mediate in conflict resolution
Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Requires others to create learning opportunities for staff and clients
- Communicates an expectation of improvement and innovation
- Initiates and develops knowledge sharing networks
Managing Staff
- Manages the performance of staff fairly and consistently and according to ADB policy
- Plans and implements learning and development of staff
- Allocates work fairly
- Creates an environment where teams benefit from cultural diversity in different views, culture, nationality, and gender
Leadership and Strategic Thinking - Clearly communicates ADB strategic objectives
- Focuses work on achieving relevant strategic objectives
- Makes positive contributions to policy development
- Engenders commitment in others to achieving ADB strategic objectives
Inspiring Trust and Integrity - Gains trust and confidence of others through consistently demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior
- Communicates ADB policy on ethics, integrity and impartiality and consistently enforces them in areas of responsibility
- Consistently bases judgment on sound ethical principles
Immediate Reporting Relationships:
The position reports to: Director General (DG), Southeast Asia Department (SERD)
The following staff positions report to the Country Director: Professional Staff, National Officers, and Administrative Staff
