Project Officer

Job Vacancy | Friday, October 17, 2025

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 Project Officer is assigned in the Human and Social Development Sector Office (SD3-HSD) within Sectors Department 3 (SD3). SD3 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB's strategic agenda in the region and with ADB's clients. The SD3, which is comprised of three sector offices, delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB's technical leadership externally and internally.

SD3-HSD leads policy dialogue, initiatives, and solutions in the human and social development sectors (education, health, and social protection). SD3-HSD is responsible for (i) conceptualizing, processing, and administering lending, grant, and technical assistance (TA) operations; (ii) developing and delivering knowledge services and products to DMCs; and (iii) leading technical work on sector diagnostics and road maps, and contributing to business development efforts.

You will be based at our Philippines Country Office (PHCO) in Manila.

You will have a primary reporting line to the designated Technical International staff or Director, SD3-HSD on operational and policy-related matters and have a matrix reporting line to the Country Director, PHCO on day-to-day administrative matters.

Your Role

As a Project Officer, you will contribute to the design, implementation, and administration of social protection and community-driven development (CDD) operations in the Philippines for the human and social development sector. You will coordinate and engage in sector dialogue with government counterparts, development partners, and civil society and contribute to TA, grant, and loan operations under ADB's expanding support for inclusive, shock-responsive, and locally driven development in the Philippines.

You will:

• Co-lead, and/or contribute to the design, processing, implementation, and administration of loans, grants, and TA projects focused on social protection and CDD, including cash transfer and voucher programs, graduation and economic inclusion, food and nutrition security, digital delivery systems, and local community-driven livelihood, climate-resilience, and/or infrastructure projects.

• Manage day-to-day project administration 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 proposing corrective measures; (iii) identifying issues related to project implementation and recommending actions in close coordination with executing agencies (EAs), implementing agencies (IAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; (iv) 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 (vii) participating in and co-leading project review missions with government counterparts and development partners.

• Provide technical and operational inputs to the Philippines social protection and CDD portfolio, including monitoring red flags, coordinating across sector teams, and contributing to country portfolio review and tripartite review exercises.

• Contribute to the quality assurance of project documents and mission deliverables, ensuring alignment with ADB policies, safeguards, and procurement procedures, and help address project administration red flags with timely corrective actions.

• Engage regularly and substantively in sector dialogue with national and local government officials, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and other relevant departments, as well as development partners, civil society, and the private sector.

• Review and provide inputs to loan/grant/TA processing and administration documents to be endorsed and approval by the designated Technical International staff and Director, SD3-HSD, following established quality assurance guidelines and relevant policies.

• Maintain effective liaison and working relationship with SD3-HSD, government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed human and social development loans and TA operations.

• Represent ADB in project missions, workshops, consultations, conferences, government events, and learning exchanges related to inclusive and adaptive social protection, nutrition-sensitive and shock-responsive interventions, economic inclusion, and CDD.

• Identify opportunities for integrated and complementary investments and technical assistance that contribute to improvements in human and social development, and support coordination efforts across social protection, education, and health.

• Track government strategies, priorities, investment pipelines, and institutional arrangements relevant to social protection and community development in the Philippines and provide strategic inputs to country programming.

• Maintain and update knowledge base of future government investment plans and approval processes, organizational structure, and policies relevant to the sector.

• Contribute to research, assessments, analysis, and new knowledge work on social protection, CDD, and related human and social development issues, and disseminate lessons through publications, workshops, and knowledge products.

• Provide operational and strategic inputs during country programming and review missions, ensuring timely delivery of inputs for pipeline development and implementation tracking.

• Support coordination with national and local stakeholders to facilitate government participation in ADB events, study visits, or training programs in the Philippines and abroad.

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior colleagues, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and learning-oriented work environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in your workplan.
  

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor's degree in economics, development, finance, business administration, public policy/administration, education, public health, or related fields, preferably with advanced training.

• At least 8 years of work experience in the human and social development sector and/or in development partner-financed project preparation and administration.

• Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.

• Extensive knowledge of government policies, reforms, and programs in the human and social development sector. Familiarity with government procedures, structure, and institutions. Work experience with the DSWD would be an advantage.

• Strong capacity to communicate with government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and stakeholders.

• Sound understanding of ADB or other multilateral development bank procedures and practices related to TA, loan, and grant project processing and administration, including safeguards compliance.

• Ability to work effectively, proactively, and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

• Proficient in computer applications, especially word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, and SharePoint.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and local language.

• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical Local Staff grade TL5.

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

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB's in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce. The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful applicants may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other departments or offices, when required.

This opening is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and residents of the Philippines.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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