Job: Regional Director

Location: Suva, Fiji 
Deadline: Thursday, 17 October 2013 

Description

Job Purpose:

Provide leadership for the full range of Pacific Subregional Office's (SPSO's) work, to provide the primary operational interface between ADB and Pacific developing member countries (PDMCs) covered by SPSO, and to maximize the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of ADB operations throughout the Pacific region. The position has key field responsibility for implementing ADB's strategic agenda and contributing significantly to its assessment/adaptation over time. The position is expected to place strong emphasis on leadership, policy dialogue, portfolio management, and donor coordination in view of the challenges arising from the prevailing economic situation in the Pacific region.

Expected Outcomes

a. Leadership and Strategic Management

• Lead, establish and cascade SPSO's vision, goals, development strategies and key result areas (KRAs) in support of ADB's goals, departmental goals and in compliance with ADB policies.
• Provide leadership to SPSO staff; identify, develop, and encourage excellence in day-to-day SPSO operations; and exercise effective management in the context of supervising SPSO staff, facilities, and resources.
• Lead the planning, implementation and supervision of work plans as well as monitor the quality of output and the achievement of long term goals and annual objectives for SPSO.
• Lead the identification of priority areas of work for SPSO, including in regional cooperation.
• Manage SPSO to achieve professional and operational excellence, lead in contributing new or innovative approaches to policy and operational issues.

b. Country Partnership Strategy

• Supervise the formulation and periodic updating of ADB's country strategies and programs for the PDMCs covered by SPSO.
• Oversee the quality of support for the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and updates and ensure the effective functioning of related teams, committees and networks, including background work on thematic, economic and sector work relating to the CPS and Country Operational Business Plans (COBPs).
• Report on current economic and political developments, major policy and institutional changes, and the relevance of the country strategy and program for each PDMC covered by SPSO.

c. Project Preparation and Processing

• Oversee the design and processing of loan/technical assistance (TA) projects mainly in transport and water supply areas to ensure quality, innovation, results orientation, and compliance with ADB's policies covering environment, resettlement, governance, and other safeguards.
• Lead, monitor, follow up and undertake loan/TA approvals, engagement of consultants, procurement, and disbursements for projects involving varying levels of risk.
• Lead the administration of loan and TA projects, including regular fielding and at times participation in missions to monitor implementation progress.
• Actively and creatively searching for new opportunities for effective and meaningful engagement with PDMCs. Particularly with respect to private sector development.

d. Portfolio Management

• Supervise the design and processing of loan and TA projects, as well as thematic and sector work that may be assigned to SPSO as well as assist with activities related to such processing to improve "quality at entry: and to avoid delays in project implementation,
• Supervise the administration of delegated loans and TAs and contribute to improvement of ADB's portfolio performance and management.
• Monitor the implementation of the assigned loans/TAs and undertake corrective actions to ensure high portfolio performance and strong results.
• Contribute to conceptualization of results-based portfolio reviews.
• Participate in Country Portfolio Review Missions (CPRMs) to review country specific project administration issues.

e. Economic, Thematic and Sector Work

• Conduct policy dialogue, particularly on macroeconomic issues and reform priorities, and provide high quality and timely advice to HQ.
• Identify areas of economic, thematic and sector work, and lead divisional strategic initiatives in these areas as well as to respond to policy concerns.
• Identify and lead opportunities to underpin policy dialog with substantive economic, thematic and sector work.
• Lead and manage knowledge products based on economic, thematic and sector studies and ensure their dissemination.

f. External Relations and Coordination

• Manage and provide support for relationships, consultation and coordination with governments, development partners, civil society, academics and private sector groups in the PDMCs covered by SPSO.
• Maintain contact with domestic and international media to enhance ADB's profile and information dissemination.
• Liaise with regional organizations, international finance institutions, and other development partners to promote coordination, synergies, and encourage cofinancing.
• Assist in the coordination of ADB's regional activities and represent ADB with governments, the private sector, nongovernment organizations, academia and civil society.

g. Internal Relations

• Manage and provide support for relationships and coordination with the Board, Senior Management and other departments.
• Participate actively as a key member of the Pacific Department (PARD) management team providing guidance to Director General (DG), PARD and other senior staff on the full range of PARD products and issues.

h. Operations Management

• Lead day-to-day operations effectively and provide guidance on operational issues, policy dialogue and ADB policies, and provide quality assurance.
• Inform and provide recommendations to Director General, PARD of significant developments, emerging opportunities and challenges in area of responsibility.
• Lead and facilitate effective division coordination with other ADB departments and internal stakeholders.
• Undertake the performance management of SPSO staff, including providing constructive feedback to improve performance and career prospects.
• Manage budget and resource allocation for the division.

i. Staff Supervision

• Create and lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of their work.
• Manage the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to teams and individual staff and ensure their on-going learning and development.

Educational Requirements:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in Economics, Development Studies, or related fields. University degree in Economics, Development Studies, or related fields 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 15 years of relevant professional experience

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

• International experience working in development in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Develops and shares new theories and applications
• Develops other specialists in ADB and client organizations as a subject matter expert
• Convinces sophisticated clients to follow ADB's technical advice
• Focuses on creating depth in area of technical expertise within ADB

Client Orientation

• Leads complex client negotiations to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes
• Guides others on how to effectively involve diverse groups of stakeholders and clients in strategic planning
• Ensures consistent client satisfaction, particularly in highly sensitive and complex situations
• Proactively manages relationships with decision makers and opinion leaders that contributes to achieving ADB's goals

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Conducts complex analyses and reviews to achieve planned results
• Integrates projects and programs contributing to sector, country, and regional results
• Identifies and plans for future issues in programs and initiatives
• Designs operational processes, resources, and systems, to deliver higher quality results at lower cost
• Manages for results by planning staff resources, implementing, monitoring, and reporting outcomes

Working Together

• Leads the achievement of interdepartmental or multi-client project goals
• Builds sustainable and productive long-term relationships with strategic partners at Ministerial, Central Agency and Sector level while appreciating differing objectives and concerns
• Actively manages potential team conflict situations before they arise
• Builds a safe environment within teams where staff and clients feel comfortable to openly share differing views and opinions

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Diligently seeks and acts on feedback from internal and external stakeholders
• Consistently provides the appropriate level and amount of communication to internal and external stakeholders
• Develops approaches for information access and the dissemination of relevant knowledge solutions
• Stimulates the formation of novel and useful knowledge products and services

Innovation and Change

• Acts as a change sponsor to win the support of those who are resistant to Strategy 2020 or organizational changes
• Persuasively communicates the reasons for organization change, addressing concerns and encouraging thinking beyond possible immediate personal inconveniences
• Anticipates the need for changes in policies and procedures to increase the effectiveness of ADB's assistance
• Drives the development of a continuous improvement and openness to change culture throughout ADB

Managing Staff

• Ensures consistent and transparent application of staff policies in all situations, even when challenged by stakeholders
• Proactively manages the performance of all staff by delivering meaningful feedback about strengths, development areas, and performance issues at all opportunities
• Prioritizes staff management by building an open and supportive environment where all staff are focused on results, even in difficult situations
• Motivates staff to collaboratively achieve Departmental results and collectively share achievements
• Considers team strengths, development priorities, and divisional accountabilities, when distributing tasks and accountabilities

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

• Aligns words with actions
• Seeks opportunities to gain support and buy-in from internal and external stakeholders for ADB's vision, mission and strategy
• Motivates others who are unclear or not aligned with the priorities of Strategy 2020 by explaining the rationale and big picture supporting objectives
• Sought out to assist in aligning Departmental and organizational strategies and work plans with the needs of Strategy 2020
• Consistently involves current and potential stakeholders in designing and managing organizational changes needed to achieve ADB's strategic objectives

Accountability

• Consistently assumes responsibility for Divisional or Departmental actions by explaining successes, failures, and proposing remedial actions
• Invests significant time in creating a culture of accountability and responsibility by using experience and advice to guide others
• Share accountability to improve the Division or Departmental performance and effectiveness
• Quickly manages and resolves situations when accountabilities are not met

Inspiring Trust and Integrity

• Expresses views and behaves that enforces ADB values and inspires others to follow
• Establishes an environment that encourages open communication and responsible information sharing
• Delivers on commitments, obligations, and promises
• Avoids abuse of power or authority in any circumstance
• Consistently applies and upholds ADB rules and code of conduct
• Takes prompt and consistent action to address unprofessional, improper, or unethical behavior, including possible misconduct and violations to ADB's anticorruption policy
• Acts promptly to address any situations of perceived, potential, or actual conflicts of interest
• Maintains confidentiality of information in accordance with ADB rules

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director General, PARD
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff
• National Staff
• International Staff

More Info and Application