Local recruitment: Associate Project Officer

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Associate Project Officer is assigned to the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development (AFNR) Sector Office (SG-AFNR) within the Sectors Group (SG).

The incumbent will report to Director AFNR Region 1 or to the designated international staff including the Project Administration Unit (PAU) Head and matrix reporting to Country Director, KYRM.

Your Role

As an Associate Project Officer, you will provide technical and operational support and input in processing and implementation of projects for agriculture, food, nature and rural development sector. This includes engaging in sector dialogue with the government and development partners in the Kyrgyz Republic. You will work closely with the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, other development partners, and civil society; provide necessary support in project preparation, administration and portfolio management activities; and perform a wide range of project specific tasks and activities as may be directed by supervisor. You will coordinate with ADB’s Private Sector Operation Department and Office of Private-Public Partnership to discuss opportunities to promote private sector participation in ADB country operations.

You will:

• Co-lead, lead and/or support the processing, implementation and administration of loans, technical assistance (TA) projects, and assist in portfolio management, sector work/activities, with focus on AFNR Sector.
• Provide team leadership by facilitating work planning, delivery and reviews in project administration with tasks including but not limited to: (i) monitoring the progress of assigned projects and preparing project performance reports; (ii) preparing annual forecasts of contract awards and disbursement, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls, and expediting achievements of target levels; (iii) identifying issues related to project implementation and taking action in close coordination with executing agencies (EAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; (iv) preparing measures and implementing them to address the issues; (v) preparing internal procurement papers, reviewing procurement documents including draft technical designs and cost estimates, and papers for extension of loan closing dates; and (vi) reallocating loan proceeds, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks, and (viii) conducting review missions with the government counterpart.
• Monitor portfolio progress and prepare project performance reports, annual forecasts of contract awards and disbursement, identify factors responsible for shortfalls, and analyze issues related to project implementation through interaction with executing agency, contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries, and prepare measures to address the project administration issues.
• Engage in sector dialogue with senior government officials and key stakeholders of the AFNR sector, including from the private sector.
• Maintain effective liaison and working relationship with AFNR SG, Government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loans and TAs in assigned sectors.
• Organize, contribute, support, and participate in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops, related to energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Prepare sector assessments and provide appropriate advice on project procurement and sector policies and institutional reforms.
• Maintain and update knowledge base of future Government investment plans and approval processes, organizational structure and policies relevant to the assigned sector. Contribute to sector work in the field by assisting in conducting research, updating information on the AFNR sector, analyzing financial, institutional or economics uses, and preparing reports on the subjects.
• Participate in Country Programming and Review Missions to monitor performance of AFNR sector projects, including preparation of the related pre- and post-mission documentation. Facilitate timely processing and approval of assistance pipeline (Loans, TAs and grants). Liaise with federal and provincial governments and ADB Headquarters to facilitate invitation and participation of government officials to ADB training and conferences in Kyrgyz Republic and abroad.
• Perform other assignments as indicated in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, agriculture engineering, environmental engineering, water resources management or related fields, preferably with advanced training.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience working in water resources, agricultural or environment sectors;
• Experience in development work related to the sector will be given preference.
• Good 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 guide administrative staff to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review.
• Ability to liaise and work effectively with government officials within own work location.
• Proficiency in verbal and written English professionally, and fluency in Russian and Kyrgyz.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TL1.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Paid leave (including parental)
• Medical and health benefits
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development
• Retirement plan
• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

Additional Information

This opening is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and residents of Kyrgyz. This is a fixed term appointment with an 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. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be renewed for a period of up to three years, or not renewed. There is no limit on the number of renewals. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

For staff on fixed term appointment: (a) the current fixed term appointment will be terminated before the effective date of the new fixed term appointment; and (b) a decision on their fixed term appointment will be made at the end of the new fixed-term.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 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 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.