Reference Number: 230479

Position Level: IS 5/6

Department: Southeast Asia Department

Division: Viet Nam Resident Mission

Location: Viet Nam Resident Mission

Date Posted: Friday, July 28, 2023

Closing Date: Friday, August 11, 2023 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

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 Viet Nam Resident Mission (VRM) within the Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD). SERD is responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Southeast Asian region. VRM is responsible for country partnership and strategy, policy dialogue and client relationship, business development, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance (TA) processing and administration in Viet Nam.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior/Principal Portfolio Management Specialist will support the Deputy Country Director concurrently Country Operations Head, in monitoring the status and progress of the overall portfolio performance, including loans, grants and Technical Assistance (TAs) projects in Viet Nam, and be responsible for improving its performance. Under the guidance of the Deputy Country Director concurrently Country Operations Head and in coordination with the VRM country programming team, the position will support project teams in the identification and execution of corrective actions to address implementation problems and will seek to improve project and portfolio performance to contribute to ADB’s inclusive and sustainable economic growth agenda and the objectives of the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS). The position will also participate in and support the country management team (CMT) by providing strategic inputs into country programming and pipeline development in coordination with the VRM CMT. The incumbent will also help coordinate ADB’s lending and non-lending operations with the government and other development partners.The incumbent will report to the Country Director, VRM and will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

•  Supports the Deputy Country Director concurrently COH in monitoring of projects and programs implementation and TA performance in the ADB Viet Nam country portfolio, including output progress, contract awards and disbursement, and safeguards and financial management compliance, and the achievement of desired development impacts.
•  Leads and provides guidance and high-level advice to project teams and government executing and implementing agencies for the identification and implementation of action items needed to resolve implementation issues and problems.
•  Leads country portfolio review missions (CPRM), in coordination with regional sector project administration units (PAUs) and project teams, engaging in high-level discussions with senior government officials, including preparation and finalization of memorandum of understanding or aide-memoire.
•  Oversees project review missions and identify the causes project/program performance shortfalls and advise project teams to create appropriate time-bound action plans to address implementation problems.
•  Monitors loan/grant/TA signing and completion, to ensure their timely commencement and financial closure.
•  Prepares and provides quality assurance for project completion reports and TA completion reports.
•  Ensures the quality and consistency of reports and provides information and in-depth analyses for country programming and for the review and improvement of project administration policies and VRM portfolio management practices.
•  Ensures compliance with ADB portfolio management related policies and procedures.
•  Provides functional oversight to project officers at VRM to ensure proper staffing, timely implementation and performance reporting of loan and TA projects.
•  Oversees the quality of project/program/TA implementation, with focus on at-risk projects/programs.
•  Oversees knowledge creation and dissemination to improve local capacity for project administration.
•  Provides strategic leadership, coaching and mentoring to teams and individuals and ensures their ongoing learning and development.
•  Participates in monthly PAU meetings held by ROC and provides feedback on the key portfolio performance action plans and updates on country portfolio performance.
•  Reviews various corporate documents such as Annual Portfolio Performance Report (APPR)/Development Effectiveness Review (DeFR)/Annual Evaluation Report (AER) from the country context and provides periodic inputs to management action plans.
•  Reviews and provides comments/feedback on revisions to project administration instructions (PAIs)/Staff Instructions and various reports issued by ADB’s Office of the Auditor General.
•  Supports the Country Director and the country management team (CMT) in preparation of the Resident Mission’s work plan and alignment with regional department KPIs.
•  Conducts periodic coordination meetings between procurement, safeguards specialists and project teams to discuss and help resolve project implementation issues.
•  Participates in CMT meetings and provides inputs into strategic operational discussions.
•  Supports country programming missions and activities to create a pipeline of cross-cutting and innovative projects in close coordination with VRM/SERD programming team and Sectors Group/Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD)/Office of Markets Development and Public-Private partnership (OMDP), providing strategic guidance based on portfolio performance.
•  Performs other activities as designated by supervisors as a result of NOM implementation. Supports the Deputy Country Director concurrently Country Operations Head, in coordinating with Regional Head, Operations Coordination; Regional Head, Regional Cooperation and Integration; Regional Lead Economist; and Regional Head, Private Sector Development.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

•  Master’s degree or equivalent, in economics, finance, engineering, or relevant fields; or University degree in economics, finance, engineering, and at least 5 years of specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
•  At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in project processing and administration in different sectors, including infrastructure, at senior levels (e.g., leading projects).
•  Experience in liaison with government officials, non-government agencies, technical specialists, and staff from development partners.
•  International experience working in development in several countries.
•  Ability to take initiative, make decisions and work independently.
•  Significant expertise within a specific area of ADB’s operations (procurement, sector or thematic), or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.
•  Credible expert in field of expertise with recognized ability to lead projects and to share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community.
•  Strong client focus and high level of commitment to results.
•  Ability to perform effectively as a mission leader or team leader, exercising supervision, coordination, and planning responsibilities over multi-disciplinary team/unit.
•  Ability to mentor team members, providing guidance and advice on projects or technical-related matters.
•  Ability to coach team members to develop their capabilities/potential.
•  Has potential for higher managerial responsibilities and demonstrates a high level of maturity.
•  Ability to lead the project administration unit, and act as an effective OIC of the office when required.
•  Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
•  Please refer to the links for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff levels 5 and 6.

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. The 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 the qualifications of the selected candidate.