Project Officer (Energy)

Job Vacancy | Thursday, March 12, 2026

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in 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

While the position of Project Officer (Energy) resides with the Energy Sector Division (SD1-ENE) within the Sectors Department 1 (SD1), you will be strategically assigned to the Sri Lanka Resident Mission (SLRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD) based at our Resident Mission in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

You will report to the Principal Portfolio Management Specialist and the country director or designated Technical International staff in SLRM.

Your Role

As a Project Officer (Energy), you will contribute to the energy sector operations in Sri Lanka. You will do this by supporting loan/Technical Assistance (TA) processing and administration, portfolio management, sector work, and other general sector activities. You will focus on energy and related sectors, including public and private sector operations. You will undertake assigned responsibilities using substantial and diverse experience, undertake a variety of assignments, deliver knowledge product, and general work. You will also contribute independently to SD1-ENE and SLRM by covering all or a combination of the following tasks in energy and related sectors, contribute to the processing and administration of assigned loans and TAs under the guidance of the Country Director/Sector Director and international sector specialists.

You will:

• Participate in project processing and administration as a project team member. Prepare project appraisal documents, organize and lead mission schedules, and collaborate closely with government counterparts and sector stakeholders.
• Provide technical inputs to project design across different subsectors of the power sector, including generation (conventional and renewable), transmission, distribution, energy efficiency, and emerging distributed energy systems, ensuring alignment with sector reforms and national priorities.
• Contribute to the processing and administration of energy sector loans and TAs. Engage with RM, HQ and field offices of ADB, government agencies, development partners (DPs), private sector partners, and other stakeholders. This engagement facilitates the successful formulation, processing, administration, and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and TA projects.
• Monitor the progress of assigned projects and prepare project performance reports.
• Maintain a broad and up-to-date understanding of the energy sector as a whole, including new technologies and emerging areas such as smart grids, digitalization, green hydrogen, demand-side management, and integrate these insights into project design and policy dialogue.
• Prepare and update forecasts of contract awards and disbursements, identifying factors responsible for shortfalls and expediting achievement of target levels. Identify issues and take actions to address them through interactions with executing agencies (EAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepare measures to address the issues and implement the measures.
• Manage the procurement process and be responsive to the needs and timeframes of the executing agencies/implementing agencies (EA/IA). Prepare memos for extension of loan closing dates, reallocation of loan proceeds, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks.
• Provide advice to government ministries, EAs and sector entities on ADB guidelines on procurement, recruitment of consultants, preparation of tender documents to ensure implementation. Help resolve complex challenges in collaboration with EA/IA, government agencies, consultants, and contractors, especially during project administration.
• Use consultative approaches and communication tools to understand and respond respectfully to client needs.
• Conduct analyses using relevant best practices to support design or implementation of solutions and evaluation of risks. Try innovative approaches to face new situations or challenges and provide support for new policies and systems.
• Implement innovative solutions to solve recurrent implementation and project administration challenges.
• Prepare Project Completion Reports and TA Completion Reports as assigned.
• Support or participate in Project Review or Country Operations Review missions as a mission member.
• Provide support for policy dialogues with government on policy matters and institutional issues.
• Maintain cooperation with other DPs and undertake consultations with them, especially in areas relating to donor coordination and harmonization in sector work.
• Contribute to sector work in the field through research, analysis, and outreach programs with key stakeholders.
• Work closely with all key energy sector stakeholders—including ministries, utilities, regulators, private developers, development partners, and financial institutions—and serve as ADB's country focal point on energy in SLRM.
• Maintain knowledge base of future government investment plans and approval processes, institutional structure and policies relevant to the energy sectors.
• Represent ADB in meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Help conduct training workshops for EAs/IAs in areas relating to project implementation and administration.
• Support the CD and other country office staff in relevant operational activities, including high-level external engagements, missions of management and board to the field, and other identified needs.
• Mentor junior staff to improve their individual performance and development.
• Perform other responsibilities that may be assigned as reflected in your workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, finance, economics, or equivalent, preferably with advanced training.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in project management and implementation of energy and related sectors. Work experience with power sector utilities or industries working closely with utilities would be an advantage.
• Experience of different stages of the project cycle (project planning / feasibility analysis / detailed design / project implementation / construction management / contract management) is desirable.
• Sound knowledge of government administrative procedures and the energy sector regulatory environment.
• Good knowledge of private sector operations in the energy infrastructure, including public private partnership, and associated financial structuring of investment projects and procedures for identification, implementation, and operations.
• Familiarity with accepted best practices of procurement processes.
• Experience mentoring junior staff to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review.
• Experience liaising and working with government officials.
• Experience working with teams as a constructive team member.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English and local language (as applicable)
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TL5.

Benefits

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

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

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This opening is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and permanent residents of Sri Lanka.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years, or up to the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, for the purpose(s) and conditions determined by ADB, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for up to an additional 3 years or not renewed. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including but not limited to the requirement of Staff's particular blend of skills and experience for the medium-term work program of the organizational unit, sufficient funding to cover the renewed period, and Staff's performance and suitability for employment. There is no limit to the number of renewals up to NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 members, 50 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.

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