Director, Water and Urban Development

Description

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

The position of Director, Water and Urban Development is assigned to the Water and Urban Development Sector Cluster (SD2-WUD) within Sectors Department 2 (SD2). You will be based at ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and relocation may be required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to the Director General, SD2, Deputy Director General, SD2 and Director General of the regional department. You will oversee assigned international and local staff.

Your Role

As Director, Water and Urban Development, you will be responsible for the delivery of sector work programs in the East Asia and the Pacific region following regional work programs.

You will:

• Ensure delivery of quality sector support to Country Partnership Strategy (policy dialogue, diagnostics, roadmaps) and pipeline development, and coordinate implementation of approved sector roadmaps
• Oversee the design and implementation of sector projects in the region to ensure quality, achievement of targets, value addition, and compliance with ADB policies
• Work across teams in Water and Urban Development Sector Cluster (SD2-WUD) and across other sectors in ADB
• Develop regional sector staffing plans and delegate and manage work assignments
• Mentor regionally assigned and country-based staff and lead relevant sector staff recruitment
• Contribute to the sector’s knowledge management, quality assurance, and strategy development efforts
• Decide on certain administrative and operational processes that require director approval and allocation of relevant budgets within the regional unit
• Ensure the quality of deliverables, including sector diagnostics and roadmaps, concept papers, report and recommendation of the President, project and TA completion reports, and internal memos
• Advise on country and regional work programs
• Assign staff resources to the Private Sector Operations Department, Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership, and other private sector development teams for joint projects.
• Work closely with East Asia and Pacific regional departments, resident missions, and country teams
• Advise and recommend on developments, new and emerging opportunities, and challenges in areas of responsibility
• Lead coordination and cooperation with other ADB departments and other internal stakeholders
• Manage the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance
• Provide mentoring to the team and individuals. Ensure their ongoing learning and development
• Develop and maintain a positive and inclusive work environment for the team

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's Degree or equivalent, in Economics, Finance, Engineering, Urban Planning, Business Administration or related fields, preferably with specialization on water and urban development sector issues; or University degree and at least 10 years of specialized experience relevant to the position.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible international experience in water and urban development, including substantial experience leading complex investment operations and large multidisciplinary teams at senior levels.
• International experience working in several countries and multiple ADB regions
• Demonstrated management and leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrated strengths in talent leadership, client engagement, impact delivery, and effective communication
• Relevant experience in the private sector preferred.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Managerial level 1 (M1).

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)

• Relocation (if applicable)

• Retirement plan

• Medical and health benefits

• Paid leave (including parental)

• Life and other insurance plans

• Staff development

Additional Information

• This vacancy is part of the Special Procedures for the Enhanced Selection and Placement for Country Directors (CDs), Deputy Country Directors (DCDs), Regional Directors (RDs), Representatives of Representative Offices (RROs), and Other Selected Managerial Positions. Please refer to the Updated Special Procedures outlined in Attachment 1 to Appendix 1 of AO 2.03 for more details.
  

• Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion and for lateral transfer must have served at their position for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (A.O. 2.03).
  

• This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, 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 an additional fixed term period of up to 3 years, allow it to expire, or reengage staff to their most recent technical international grade to optimally utilize the Staff’s technical skills under either a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Renew or a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Regularize, with the salary range corresponding to that technical international grade. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB’s medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff’s skills to those plans, and the staff’s managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff’s NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff’s NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

If the appointment to this position results in a promotion, Staff on regular appointment shall be required to relinquish their regular appointment by signing an Acknowledgment Form, as an attachment to this application. Staff’s appointment will be converted to a fixed-term appointment for Managerial Positions. Once made, this conversion is final and irrevocable. If ADB does not receive the signed Acknowledgment Form with the application, the application will be considered withdrawn.

If the appointment to this position does not result in a promotion, Staff retains their regular appointment and will be given a Fixed-term Assignment for Senior Staff, subject to Appendix 8 of AO 2.01.

All eligibility rules for housing loans and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply. Any approved housing loan or mortgage interest subsidy prior to the change to fixed-term appointment will continue during the staff’s new appointment under the same terms and conditions as applicable. The outstanding housing loan will be due and payable at the end of employment. All the other eligibility rules apply.

Primary Location: Asian Development Bank-Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila

Department: Sectors Department 2

Division: Water and Urban Development Sector Cluster

Staff Category: Managerial International (HQ)

Position Level: M1

Job Posting: 11-Nov-2026, 9:07:57 AM

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - Internal: : 25-Nov-2026, 3:59:00 PM