Senior Advisor to the President

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Under the general guidance of the Chief Advisor, the Senior Advisor is responsible for tracking, analyzing, and providing advice on the full range of operational and policy issues of ADB. Specific responsibilities fall broadly under four categories: (i) Analysis and Guidance on Strategy and Policy Issues, (ii) Operational Analysis and Monitoring, (iii) Liaison/Internal Coordination, and (iv) Administration.

Expected Outcomes

a. Strategy and Planning
- Stay abreast of Bank strategy and policy issues
- Provide reviews of draft operational documents, policies, and strategies
- Contribute to background analyses and recommendations for the President’s use
- Review the drafts of the President’s speeches

b. Operational Analysis and Monitoring
- Evaluate operational documents before the President’s consideration of clearance or approval. These include report and recommendation of the President, technical assistance reports, country operations business plans, change in scope memos, and other operational memos
- Review and make recommendations on the consistency of individual developing member country operational programs with its country partnership strategy and other ADB policies and strategies
- Review and make recommendations on the consistency of internal ADB memos and ADB policies, guidelines, and procedures
- Track projects and programs in the loan/TA pipeline or portfolio that have specific issues
- Monitor project processing timelines and the Board calendar

c. Liaison/Internal Coordination

On the basis of general guidance from the Chief Advisor:
- Provide input and guidance to senior staff on Management views on the full range of operations, documents, and issues.
- Coordinate with staff of operational departments on a variety of issues.
- Coordinate with support departments within ADB (e.g., Strategy and Policy Department, Office of the General Counsel, Central Operations Services Office, Office of External Relations, etc.).
- Coordinate with staff in the Office of the President, offices of the Vice Presidents, and the Office of the Secretary.

d. Administration
- Track CPS-MCM schedules

e. Staff Supervision
- 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 Economics, development studies, or related fields. University degree in Economics, development studies, 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 12 years relevant experience, including loan and TA processing in ADB
- Outstanding interpersonal/negotiation skills, as well as the ability to liaise effectively with Management, senior staff, and staff of operations and support departments. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Ability to operate as part of a team and as a change agent
- Strong conceptual and organizational skills
- Broad-based exposure to multilateral development bank’s policies and procedures
- Wide-ranging interest in the full scope of policy and operational work
- Keen enthusiasm and a capacity to deal effectively with multiple tasks under tight deadlines
- Very good judgment
- International experience working in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Is 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 organization

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

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
• Is sought 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 breadth of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the 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: Chief Advisor to the President
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.