IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This is a senior staff fixed-term appointment for a period of 3 years. This vacancy is open to internal and external applicants.

If the selected candidate is an external hire, the appointment may be extended for a period of up to 3 years per extension, or not renewed. In case of extension, staff may continue in the position for another term of up to 3 years, or be reassigned to any suitable position in ADB.

The same terms and conditions also apply to a selected internal candidate. In addition, if the staff selected has a regular appointment, staff will retain the regular appointment and his/her selection will be considered an assignment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. If the staff selected has a fixed term appointment, his/her appointment will cease, and he/she will be given a new fixed term appointment for an initial term of 3 years.

Fixed-term appointments or assignments are subject to Section 3 of Administrative Order (AO) 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment) and Section 8 of AO 2.03 (Selection, Talent and Position Management) and its Appendices.

Whether the selected candidate is internal or external, and regardless of the type of appointment, any extension of staff beyond age 60 shall be subject to such terms and conditions determined by ADB, including, where relevant, those provided in Section 10 of AO 2.05 (Termination Policy) and its Appendices.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 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 68 members.

This position is assigned within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), ADB’s legal department. OGC advises the Board of Governors, the Board of Directors, the President and all operations and administrative departments of ADB on legal matters, including ADB policies, procedures and legal risks. OGC is managed by the General Counsel, a Deputy General Counsel and several Assistant General Counsels (AGC), including two AGCs that manage the teams of lawyers that support ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD).

ADB's PSOD catalyzes, structures, and funds investments in privately held and state-sponsored companies across a wide range of industry sectors throughout developing Asia. The emphasis is on commercially viable transactions that generate financial returns while also delivering on ADB's strategic agenda to promote environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. PSOD undertakes lending and equity investment projects across a range of industry sectors.

The position title on appointment is “Assistant General Counsel”.

Job Purpose

The Assistant General Counsel (Private Sector Legal Group 1 or PSLG1) takes a lead role in the planning, implementation, and management of a team of lawyers in PSLG 1 that supports the PSOD, with a primary focus on debt financing, guarantees and programs (Microfinance, Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programs), including the planning and implementation of OGC’s work plan in relation to those areas of ADB’s private sector operations.

The position is responsible for managing the following: (i) supervise a team of lawyers and support staff tasked with the preparation, negotiation, processing, and administration of ADB’s private sector projects (principally debt financing, guarantees and programs (Microfinance, Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programs)); (ii) identify and manage related legal risks; (iii) ensure implementation of ADB's policies and procedures relating to those areas of private sector operations; (iv) contribute to the development of strategies and frameworks for legal reform in ADB’s developing member countries; and (v) provide advice and guidance on operational and administrative issues and compliance with ADB policies.

The incumbent will report to the General Counsel and will supervise several International, National and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Strategic Management

• Provides leadership in planning, implementation and supervision of PSLG1 and its staff, the PSLG1 and OGC work plans, as well as monitors the quality of work among PSLG1 staff and the achievement of OGC’s goals and objectives.
• Provides leadership in team, departmental and bank-wide contexts.
• Provides leadership in developing new or innovative approaches to policy, process and operations to ensure continual improvement in effectiveness and process.

2. Division Operations Management

• Oversees day-to-day operations of PSLG1, and the training, supervision and administration of matters relating to PSLG1 staff.
• Participates as a member of the OGC management team in contributing to the effective and efficient management and administration of OGC.
• Facilitates effective cooperation with other ADB departments and internal stakeholders.
• Undertakes the performance management of the team, including motivation of staff.
• Manages budget and resource allocation for the team, ensuring efficient allocation and utilization of resources, including staffing and training requirements.

3. Law and Policy Reform

• Supports the Law and Policy Reform program of OGC, which aims to support legal reforms and capacity building in the role of law in development, particularly from a private sector perspective.

4. Knowledge Management

• Leads, contributes or supports the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge relevant to ADB’s mission, including encouraging and supporting the writing and review of relevant papers, participation in conferences as panelist, speaker or moderator and otherwise raising the profile of ADB and OGC as knowledge providers.

5. Staff Supervision

• Creates and leads multidisciplinary teams and ensures the overall quality of its work.
• Manages the performance of teams and individuals, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensures their on-going learning and development.

6. Other Responsibilities

• Engages in activities and actively pursues roles and responsibilities to further the objectives of ADB and OGC, as they emerge from time to time.
• Assumes the role of an effective leader, providing excellent, practical and commercial legal advice on all matters within the responsibility of the AGC from time to time.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Law; or University degree in Law (or equivalent), combined with at least 10 years’ specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• A current qualification as a lawyer in a common law jurisdiction in one of ADB’s member countries.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience within a recognized and reputable law firm, major developer and/or financial institution, with significant experience in the preparation and negotiation of cross-border transaction documentation.
• Proven leadership and managerial capabilities.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams, inspire trust and confidence and promote a strong culture of honesty, trust and openness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English . Must be able to communicate, present and defend complex legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence.
• Experience working in or with international law firms and in a culturally diverse environment, with experience in Asia and the Pacific preferred.
• An understanding of the operational policies and programs of ADB or similar multilateral development bank (MDB) with hands-on knowledge of or exposure to ADB’s or other MDB’s operations is desirable.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 7.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.