Director, Special Initiatives and Funds

Job Vacancy | Friday, June 26, 2026

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 Director, Special Initiatives and Funds is assigned to the Special Initiatives and Funds Division (OMSF) within the Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership (OMDP). 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 Head, OMDP and will oversee assigned International and Local Staff.

Your Role

As a Director, Special Initiatives and Funds, you will lead and coordinate in developing and implementing bank-wide upstream market development activities (including advisory on policy and regulatory reforms, capacity development and knowledge management) relating to private sector development (PSD) including Public Private Partnerships (PPP). You will also lead in developing and implementing bank-wide midstream activities (including institutional or corporate advisory on transaction development and preparation) relating to PSD. You will contribute to the development of thematic policies, strategies, operational plans, and directional papers to guide bank-wide work concerning PSD. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of ADB financing opportunities to enable PSD, ensuring their alignment with ADB's Strategy 2030 and mutual consistency. You will work with complex issues and guide others in resolving complex problems with high levels of risk.

You will:

a. Strategic Management

• Lead and implement the division's vision, goals and strategies and key result areas to support ADB's strategies about PSD.
• Provide PSD thematic leadership in relevant technical and operational matters under guidance by Head, OMDP, contributing new approaches to policy and operational issues.
• Provide strategic direction, guidance, and support to the Regional departments (RD) and Sectors departments (SD). This support enables country directors to drive bank-wide PSD initiatives. Additionally, it facilitates the implementation of sovereign projects with PSD deliverables, including critical support for upstream and capacity building interventions.
• Lead ADB in the strategic discussions with international and multilateral organizations on matters relating to PPPs and ADB's PPP operations.
• Facilitate internal communication and foster an environment conducive to achieving high staff morale and engagement.

b. Operations Management

• Foster and lead innovation, thought leadership and future looking bank-wide initiatives to help develop future business.
• Lead and coordinate in developing and implementing bank-wide upstream market development activities (including advisory on policy and regulatory reforms, capacity development and knowledge management) relating to PSD including PPPs.
• Lead in developing and implementing bank-wide midstream activities related to PSD (including institutional or corporate advisory on transaction development and preparation).
• Manage the support to the RDs in preparing the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and Indicative Country Pipeline and Monitoring report (ICPM) and analysis of the PSD enabling environment including private sector assessment, PPP roadmaps and PPP monitors and support for solutions group analysis of PSD in their sector.
• Manage the support to RDs and SDs in screening new opportunities for sovereign operations and identifying and designing components or structure which will contribute to PSD.
• Work in partnership with RD, SDs, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD) and Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD), to find collaborative solutions to complex development challenges.
• Manage planning and implementation of technical assistance in support of PSD in coordination with other parties.

c. Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing

• Promote best practices and knowledge, by bringing in global/regional best practices to ADB and promoting ADB's best practice externally.
• Identify and develop knowledge in new emerging areas and promote sharing of technical knowledge and learning as the basis for future operations.
• Provide corporate knowledge support, including reporting, briefing papers, speeches, and support to corporate projects.
• Ensure flow and captures of knowledge and expertise so that clients receive the highest quality support and knowledge they need, as they need it.
• Promote capture of tacit knowledge in PSD and disseminate the same using existing knowledge platforms in ADB.

d. Trust Fund Management

• Oversee and provide guidance, advice, and oversight on trust fund management to ensure adherence to implementation guidelines and the goals of the trust fund.

e. Human Resource and Talent Management

• Contribute to the recruitment and talent management of technical staff across the Bank.
• Facilitate interdepartmental mobilization of staff resources, including identifying projects/programs which require interdepartmental teams.
• Engage with RDs, SDs, CCSD, PSOD and Budget, People, and Management Systems Department (BPMSD) to ascertain use of the Skills Development Budget for purposes of strengthening skills of staff in all areas related to PSD.

f. Team Management and Staff Supervision

• Lead the planning, implementation and supervision of work plans and ensure the quality of output and achievement of long-term goals and annual objectives for the division.
• Manage the performance of OMSF staff providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provide mentoring to staff and ensure their ongoing learning and development.

g. Others

• Undertake tasks which are directed by Head, OMDP from time to time.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's degree or equivalent, in related fields or University degree combined with at least 10 years specialized experience in similar organization/s relevant to the position can be considered in lieu of a Master's degree.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience within the PSD thematic area at senior levels.
• At least 10 years direct market experience for structuring PPP projects and leading transaction advisory business at a global level.
• Experience working in diverse multi-cultural environments.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Proven ability to act as a trusted, strategic advisor, partnering with clients to deliver results
• Proven ability to influence the design and execution of major policy initiatives, and promote innovations in project design and management.
• Demonstrated organizational cross-cutting skills (e.g. collaboration, mentoring, innovation).
• Demonstrated experience working across boundaries and with complex multiple partners.
• Experience conducting policy dialogue with country partners.
• Experience effectively implementing complex change management initiatives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for M1.

Benefits

ADB offers a great compensation package 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 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.

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