Principal Urban Development Specialist

Job Description - Principal Urban Development Specialist (260757) Job Description Principal Urban Development Specialist - ( 260757 ) 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 Principal Urban Development Specialist is assigned to the Water and Urban Development Sector Office (SD2-WUD) within the Sectors Department 2 (SD2). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered. You will report to the Director, WUD and oversee junior team members. Your Role As a Principal Urban Development Specialist, you will lead and oversee the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on water and urban sector, engage DMC governments in policy dialogue, and conduct ADB's activities to support sector policies and reforms. You will lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, grants, and TA projects, and provide relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge projects. You will: Lead the processing and administration of sub-regional and DMC-specific loans, grants, and TAs on WUD, with due attention to the country's development policies and projects' impacts on private sector participation, sector restructuring, and reforms. Lead the development and design of new lending projects and programs in the sector, including water supply, sanitation and wastewater management, drainage and flood management, solid waste management, affordable housing, .sustainable tourism, urban and regional planning, municipal finance/ governance, creditworthiness, climate- and disaster-resilience, sector restructuring/utility management and reforms. Collaborate with other sector offices and departments in ADB to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs. Lead the assessment of WUD sector policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions and technological advance including digital technologies, climate resilience and mitigation needs, and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs. Identify the priority areas of WUD in the country or region, as applicable, and the modality of the required loans and TA support. Ensure coordination between HQ and RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of WUD sector policy commitments to the management of projects. Oversee and ensure quality and compliance of WUD sector lending and non-lending products and operations. Oversee and facilitate liaison and coordination with development partners on program loans and investment projects. Assist RDs on inquiries related to WUD, urban environmental improvement, and sector governance reforms. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities. Respond to external inquiries. Lead the development and sharing of knowledge products, and organization and implementation of knowledge-sharing events and workshops on specialized topics on WUD. Lead, manage, and support reporting staff, including their performance and development. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Additional responsibilities if assigned to the role of Project Administration Unit Head: Lead sector portfolio performance assessment in country/tripartite portfolio review meetings, identify systemic issues, propose initiatives to promote project quality and improve portfolio performance, and provide guidance and advice for the identification and implementation of action items needed to resolve implementation issues and problems. Develop country/region's operational targets (key result areas) for project administration, including projections for contract awards, disbursements, project/TA completion and closing, project performance ratings, and monitors their successful achievement. Review and comment on project proposals for quality control of documentations (e.g. review of bid documents, review of bid evaluation reports, procurement arrangement, PCRs/TCRs) and for ensuring project implementation readiness and smooth and quality project implementation. Mentor staff in project processing, administration, and project completion reports, by providing guidance on project design and sector issues, and participates in their missions as and. Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in your workplan. Qualifications You will need: Master's Degree, or equivalent, in civil engineering, environmental engineering, urban and regional planning, urban and environmental management, or economics; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered. At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in the water and urban sector and municipal service improvement, and in project preparation and administration of projects, practical knowledge, and experience in integration of financial, economic, social, institutional, and safeguard requirements and issues in project design and execution. International experience working in several countries. Broad experience preparing investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies, including knowledge on procurement and consultant recruitment. Demonstrated team leadership or managerial experience leading professionals, teams, and missions for technical matters and projects processing/implementation. Expertise within a specific area of ADB's operations (economic, sector, or thematic), or range across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area Proficiency in expressing ideas in both spoken and written formats in English. Please refer to the link for ADB for ADB Competency Framework for TI3. 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 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) In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e., from TL to TI) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new grade, they will return to the grade occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category. This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may, at the option of ADB, be extended once for up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on its expiration date. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB that: (a) it will require Staff's particular blend of skills and experience in the foreseeable future; and (b) Staff's performance is satisfactory and they are suitable for further employment. Staff who are currently under regular appointments will retain their regular appointment status. Multiple positions at various grades may be filled from this opening. The actual position title and grade will be based on your qualifications, experience and job scope that will be assigned to the selected applicants. Primary Location : Asian Development Bank-Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila Department : Sectors Department 2 Division : Water and Urban Development Sector Office Staff Category : Technical International (Multiple Vacancies) Position Level : TI3 Job Posting : 20-Jul-2026, 5:43:47 AM Closing Date (Period for Applying) - Internal : 03-Aug-2026, 3:59:00 PM Why Work at ADB? What We Offer Meet Our People Life at ADB Opportunities What We Look For Internship Program Careers at ADBI ADB-Japan Scholarship Program Learn More Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us Asian Development Bank Headquarters: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines + 63 2 632 4444 + 63 2 636 2444 © . All Rights Reserved. Asian Development Bank