Senior Urban Development Specialist (Transport) - Asian Development Bank - Manila, Philippines

Urban Development and Water Division, CWRD, Central and West Asia Department

Closing Date: 18 February 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

 

Job Purpose:

Lead in the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on urban sector development and urban environmental improvement in Central and West Asia region, with focus on two critical areas: urban transport and logistics. In addition, the position will also focus on inclusive cities development, urban and regional planning, and urban/municipal infrastructure management and relevant sector governance reforms.
Engage in dialogue with the governments on urban transport and logistics and private sector participation in the provision of such services.
Lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, technical assistance (TAs) projects, and non-lending products and services (NLPS) for the urban sector in developing member countries (DMCs). Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

a. Strategy and planning
- Formulate and contribute to the development of urban sector policy and strategies for urban development, with focus on urban transport and logistics in particular, and urban and regional planning, and urban/ municipal management in broader terms, in CWRD DMCs in consultation and coordination with relevant government agencies and Resident Missions (RMs).
- Review urban development policies and approaches, and related legal and regulatory frameworks and assess progress towards achieving sustainable economic development and poverty reduction in the DMCs.
- Conduct dialogue with DMCs on urban development policies, strategies and practical solutions in meeting urban development challenges on county, municipal and provincial levels, in areas related to urban transport and logistics.
- Develop innovative analytical tools (e.g. GIS maps) to gather information on urban infrastructure.
- Design instruments such as city level corporate plans/roadmaps to guide urban administrations in their infrastructure planning, design and delivery of urban services.
- Participate in country teams and provide inputs around urban development issues for Country Partnership Strategy and Country Operations Business Plans.
- Conduct economic, thematic and sector work in the context of sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.
- Lead and coordinate with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of urban development policy commitments to the management of projects.

- Comment on policy papers that have an impact on the preparation and administration of urban development projects
- Participate and steer the work of relevant Communities of Practices (e.g. Urban, Water and Transport) and in other interdepartmental working groups.
b. Project processing and management
- Identify opportunities for ADB assistance projects aimed at operationalizing urban transport policies.
- Provide advice to executing agencies on project preparation.
- Integrate ADB’s policies and guidelines in the design and implementation.
- Lead in the development, processing and administration of loan and TA projects in urban transport and logistics in particular (and broader urban sector, as required in limited cases), including those with moderate to high levels of risk and complexity
- Liaise with and coordinate with development agencies on all aspects of investment and financial planning in the context of ADB lending and non-lending interventions in urban transport and logistics
- Ensure key technical, economic, financial, institutional and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects
c. Policy and Project Evaluation
- Continuously assess urban development policies, strategies and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to best practices and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs.
- Ensure the development impact of the urban development portfolio, with focus on urban transport and logistics, through monitoring and evaluation.
- Undertake analytical and advisory work, including policy and institutional analysis, developing strategy options, inquiries into emerging urban themes, and capacity building programs to meet the urbanization challenges and increase the volume and development of urban development program and projects in DMCs.
- Ensure that new urban development policy and strategies are reflected in the urban development portfolio.
c. Knowledge sharing
- Develop and maintain a suitable network in the area of urban development to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues
- Substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around urban development issues
- Contribute to the division’s knowledge producing activities based on own desk work, outputs of TA projects, and lessons learned from lending operations.
d. Staff supervision
- Take the role of team leader and supervise the work of team members
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff

Educational Requirements:

Master’s degree or equivalent in urban and regional planning, urban management, economics or other related fields. University degree in transport engineering, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in urban development with focus on urban transport and logistics, and in project administration and relevant experience in design of urban projects, practical knowledge and experience in integration of financial, economic, social, institutional and safeguard requirements and issues in project design. Preference for demonstrated responsiveness and progressive experience in the preparation and administration of projects in Central and West Asia.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- International experience working in development in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director, CWUW
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply

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