Project Officer

Job Vacancy | Monday, April 6, 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 (Water and Urban Development) resides within the Water and Urban Development Sector Office (SD2-WUD) within the Sectors Department 2 (SD2), you will be assigned to our resident mission office in Papua New Guinea (PNRM).

You will report to the Director or the Project Administration Head (PAU Head) for SD2-WUD and, Country Director or Country Operations Head, PNRM.

Your Role

As Project Officer (Water and Urban Development), you will contribute to developing and administering projects for the water and urban development (WUD) sector by providing technical and operational support, and inputs to project design and scoping, portfolio management, and project processing activities. This includes engaging in sector dialogue with the government, development partners, private sector, and civil society in Papua New Guinea.

You will:

• Lead or contribute to sector assessment, project or program design and portfolio management activities by: (i) building relationship with the sector clients, conducting diagnostics studies, developing and maintaining database of key performance indicators and project administration issues and actions; (ii) managing existing projects on the ground; (iii) preparing or clearing consolidated and analytical portfolio management reports; (iv) ensuring that necessary actions are being taken by the concerned Technical International (TI) and local staff without delay; and (v) providing any stop gap support as necessary.
• Improve and analyze sector portfolio performance, project administration, and provide guidance to other members of the team. Closely coordinate with WUD and other sector colleagues on project design and project administration matters across the sector office.
• Lead or contribute to the analysis and review of mission reports, memorandum of understandings and aide memoires, progress reports, and other available project performance indexes on a regular basis and ensure quality, conduct special loan/TA review missions, and prepare country portfolio review missions and tripartite portfolio review meetings. Contribute to addressing project administration red flags for corrective actions.
• Monitor and review the accuracy and consistency of data to ensure the quality of individual Project Performance Report, monitors, and analyzes the team's projection and performance on contract awards/disbursement, project completion report/technical assistance completion report programs, and makes recommendations to achieve targets, when necessary.
• Prepare portfolio analysis reports for effective communication both internally and externally.
• Review and ensure the quality of the loan, grant, and/or TA processing and administration documents in the team/division, in accordance with the latest requirements, templates, and guidelines in ADB, for approval of the TI staff and Director.
• Coordinate and provide inputs and feedback to sector office initiatives in project administration, reflecting the operational issues and experience from the team and executing agencies (EAs)/implementing agencies to ensure system improvement leads to more efficient portfolio outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with the checklist on use of no objection procedure for loan, grants, guarantees, multitranche financing facility, policy-based lending, results-based lending, or any other newly introduced instrument's quality.
• Lead or contribute to project administration tasks for assigned loans and TAs, especially in procurement and other project administration actions, and provides guidance to EAs on ADB's procurement guidelines and policies.
• Lead or participate in project inception, review, mid-term review, special loan administration missions, and project completion review missions, as required.
• Provide guidance to project processing staff in the preparation of project reports, Report and Recommendation of the President, and linked documents.
• Support project processing missions in designing project implementation arrangements, including procurement/disbursement procedures and project management set up, and review of financing plans.
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of annual portfolio management program (i.e., consolidates and prioritizes required project supervision missions), assesses resource implications, and monitors achievement of program.
• Working closely with the Director, lead or contribute to the preparation of work program and budget resource requirements, based on the Three-Year Rolling Work Program and Budget Framework and its related annual/mid-year budget estimates, and monitor budget utilization.
• Monitor progress and issues in budget utilization for efficient and effective resource use and ensure that deviations are properly accounted for and justified.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent's workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, water management, urban development or planning, economics, development studies, business administration, or other related fields, preferably with advanced training.
• At least 8 years' relevant professional experience in project development, project processing or administration. Field-based experience is desired.
• Proficiency in expressing ideas in both spoken and written formats in English.
• Strong skills with computer-based applications including spreadsheets and word processing software.
• Comprehensive knowledge of MDB's or bilateral development partners' operational processes and administration guidelines.
• Ability to work with good analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to work with individuals from different cultural/national backgrounds.
• 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.
• 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)
• Retirement plan (if applicable)
• 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 Papua New Guinea.

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 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

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.

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