Assistant General Counsel (Institutional and Administrative Law)

Job Vacancy | Tuesday, March 17, 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

This position is assigned within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), ADB's legal department. OGC is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to ADB's Board of Directors, its Management, and client departments on operational and administrative matters and advises on methods to limit ADB's risk exposure appropriately. It prepares or reviews documents that create and define the legal rights or obligations of ADB, including financing and investment contracts. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to General Counsel and will oversee assigned International and Local Staff.

The position title on appointment is "Assistant General Counsel".

Your Role

You will provide leadership to OGC's Institutional and Administrative Law team and oversees other institutional, operational, and advisory work. You will support the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in the planning, implementing, and supervising the Office of the General Counsel's (OGC) vision, goals, strategies, and work plan. You will oversee legal support services by a team of lawyers in assignments relating to OGC's institutional and administrative matters. You will work directly with client departments, provide guidance on institutional issues, and complements ADB policies.

You will:

a. Leadership and Strategic Management·

• Provide leadership in planning, implementing and supervising work plans, and monitoring the quality of output and achievement of long-term goals and OGC's annual goals.
• Provide leadership in operational matters, taking the lead in contributing to new approaches to policy and operational issues.

b. Division Management

• Oversee daily operations of the team and provide guidance on institutional and administrative issues and ADB policies.
• Inform and provide recommendations to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on developments, latest opportunities and challenges in the institutional and administrative areas of responsibility.
• Facilitate coordination and cooperation with other ADB departments and internal stakeholders.
• Manage budget and resource allocation for the team, ensuring efficient allocation and use of resources, including staffing and training requirements.
• Contribute to improvements in the operations and business processes of OGC and undertaking initiatives to enhance efficiency of the Office.

c. Legal Advice and Support

Lead a team that provides advice and support on the following matters:

• ADB's overall governance structure, expressed in ADB's Charter, By-Laws, Rules of Procedure and ADB's procedures, and principles of international law.
• External litigation and arbitration, including assessing and overseeing the application of ADB's privileges and immunities matters (P&I), ensuring ADB's P&I's, including exemption from taxation in member countries, are effectively and appropriately asserted as applicable. Litigation and arbitration matters involving ADB, including coordinating and overseeing the defense of ADB's interests.
• Staff grievances, disciplinary procedures, and lead the representation of ADB's interests before ADB's Administrative Tribunal.
• Matters concerning ADB's membership, Board of Governors and the legal aspects of ADB's Annual Meetings.
• ADB's Staff Regulations, personnel, employment, HR and staff benefit policies, including legal advice on managing associated legal risks. o Legal aspects of the code of conduct applicable to ADB staff, ADB Board Members and other applicable standards of ethical and workplace conduct.
• Legal aspects of the governance frameworks on institutional activities, including pension administration, digital transformation including the adoption of artificial intelligence. Policies relating to practices and ADB strategy, including those relating to gender, non-discrimination, anti-corruption and integrity, institutional procurement and other matters arising in connection with the administration of ADB.
• Administrative matters and legal issues affecting ADB Headquarters, Resident Missions and Representative Offices and other field presence in ADB members, including advice on legal aspects of leases, real estate, personnel, policy and procedures.
• ADB's intellectual property, including copyright and trademark matters, and data protection and privacy policies.
• Review institutional partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and third parties.
• Other projects that arise from time to time that fall within the responsibilities of the institutional and administrative team.
• Other matters as the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel may set forth in the ongoing development of OGC's vision and work plan.

d. External and Internal Relations

• Engage with ADB's Office of the President, Vice-Presidents, Board Members, senior management and staff across ADB, and ADB's field offices in providing OGC's legal advice and support.
• Manage relationships with external parties, including external counsel and counterparts in member governments.
• Manage relationships between OGC and its clients to ensure client orientation in the delivery of services while maintaining the integrity of ADB operations.
• Contribute to meetings with Management and Senior Staff in areas under the Assistant General Counsel's supervision and participate in working groups and task forces related to institutional and administrative law.

e. Knowledge Management and Team Leadership

• Lead the development and distribution of policy papers, legal research, and best practices, while guiding and mentoring staff and contributing to the design of professional and operational learning and development initiatives.
• Oversee and lead the team to ensure high‑quality outputs through clear direction, performance monitoring, coaching and mentoring, support for recruitment, and active contribution as a member of the OGC Management Team to the overall management of the Office.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Juris Doctorate degree or Master's Degree, and admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB's members or University degree and at least 10 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered in lieu of a Master's degree.
• At least 15 years of relevant legal experience, with emphasis on either litigation, public international law and with experience in employment or administrative law.
• Understanding of the operational policies and programs of ADB or at a minimum, of similar multilateral development organizations with hands-on knowledge of / exposure to ADB's / other MDB operations is desirable but not a pre-requisite.
• Able to work with multicultural and diverse teams.
• Able to inspire trust and confidence and to promote a culture of honesty, trust, and openness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required to lead a team of highly skilled professionals and create/maintain a collaborative environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required. Can present and defend complex legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence and confidence.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Managerial International Staff Level 1 (M1).

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 is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff's Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, 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 an additional fixed term period of up to 3 years or allow it to expire. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB's medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff's skills to those plans, and the staff's managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff's NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff's NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

About Us

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is headquartered in Manila and owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB wants 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.

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