Job Purpose:

Note: Currently, there are two general types of Investment Specialists: a) Investment Specialists that are focused on private sector Infrastructure Finance; and b) Investment Specialists that are focused on Capital Markets and Financial Sectors. This is to reflect that ADB's private sector operations are currently focused on the following two specific sectors:

• Infrastructure: power (e.g. generation, transmission and distribution, including a particular focus on renewable power), transportation (e.g. roads, ports, railways, airports), water supply and waste treatment, and telecommunications; and
• Capital Markets: financial institutions and investment funds

Lead or assist in ADB's private sector assistance in the form of loans, equity, underwriting, guarantees and other appropriate forms of support to contribute to ADB’s developmental directions for the private sector and the overall goal of reducing poverty. Lead the identification, development, implementation and administration of private sector infrastructure financing to contribute to ADB’s developmental directions for the private sector and the overall goal of reducing poverty. Contribute to the development of policy, strategies and of country programs. Monitor the development impact of the portfolio and ensure key issues are considered and proper risk management is applied. Ensure the quality, development impact and alignment of the portfolio to ADB’s developmental goals for the private sector. Work within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods.

In general, Investment Specialists design financial solutions to manage investors’ risks in investing in developing countries. Solutions may include a combination of private and official funding sources. In providing assistance to the private sector, ADB uses equity investments, loans, guarantees, or syndications including fronting (“B” loan or lender of record and guarantor of record) and nonfunded risk participation arrangements to mobilize private investments. Equity may include subordinated loans, preferred stock, convertible loans, and other types of mezzanine financing. ADB’s guarantees cover risks that the private sector cannot absorb or manage on its own, such as political risks. Investment Specialists undertake the processing of projects up to Board approval, contribute to the development of policy, strategies and of country programs, monitor the development impact of the portfolio and ensure key issues are considered and proper risk management is applied. Work with broad policies and objectives, working directly with clients and with supervision for critical tasks.

Expected Outcomes

a. Strategy and planning

• Contribute to the development of policy and strategies for ADB’s developmental goals for the private sector in consultation with relevant stakeholder.
• Participate in country teams and missions for planning and programming purposes with particular focus on private sector development and operations and for the identification of investment opportunities in assigned developing member countries (DMCs).
• Assist in the formulation, processing, and negotiation of ADB’s private sector investments in financial institutions and capital markets areas in DMCs
• Lead or assist in developing a pipeline of (i) private equity funds and direct investments for ADB’s assistance in the above mentioned financial sectors; or in (ii) private sector infrastructure projects.

b. Project management

• Lead in the identification, development and processing of projects to be considered for ADB private sector infrastructure financing by leading discussions and negotiations with project developers, sponsors and financiers.
• Evaluate, analyze, process and execute private equity investments, both indirectly and through private equity investment funds.
• Work with third party financial institutions to develop and execute co-investments.
• Ensure key issues are incorporated in projects and proper risk management is applied.
• Review and recommend the adequacy and structure of financing arrangements, covenants, security arrangements, and reporting requirements.
• Undertake the implementation and administration of assigned complex private sector projects (i.e., direct investments and private equity funds in the portfolio, or private sector infrastructure financing programs and projects), ensuring compliance with required review procedures, agreed covenants and reporting requirements.
• When assigned, perform the role of a director on the board of ADB’s investee companies representing ADB’s interest in accordance with the principles of sound corporate governance.

c. External liaison

• Facilitate active relationships with financial intermediaries in the region including fund managers, institutional investors and other limited partners, sponsors and financiers.
• Develop and foster synergistic relationships with both public and private partners within and outside of ADB’s DMCs,
• Focuses own and other efforts on understanding and meeting client needs (e.g., government agencies, private sector parties, non-government organizations.

d. Policy and project evaluation

• Periodically monitor and evaluate the development impact of (i) ADB’s capital markets and financial sectors projects; or (ii) private sector infrastructure financing projects.
• Draft, review and provide comments on project, policy and other papers related to private sector development and operations issues in various themes and sectors.
• Maintain and share knowledge of emerging best practices in private equity, corporate social responsibility, and overall investment management.

e. Staff Supervision

• Take the role of mission leader and supervise the work of mission members.
• Supervise the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their on-going learning and development.

Educational Requirements:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance, or other related fields. University degree with specialized experience on Business Administration or Finance 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 including but not limited to hands-on experience in processing direct private equity investments and investments in private equity funds or loans for infrastructure projects, including structuring loan transactions, financial modeling, syndicating term loans, undertaking due diligence, identifying, mitigating and analyzing risks, executing successful transactions
• Ability to negotiate with financial intermediaries, existing shareholders, sponsors, co-lenders and co-investors, governments and relevant contractual counterparts
• Strong leadership qualities and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and structuring capabilities
• Experience in managing a team with diverse interdisciplinary skills
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the financial sustainability of given operations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• International experience working in development in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Independently performs more complex technical tasks without supervision
• Demonstrates breadth and depth of job relevant knowledge and skills
• Builds networks within the team to ensure they benefit from, share and leverage knowledge

Client Orientation

• Flexibly delivers services and solutions to better meet client needs
• Develops trusting relationships with internal and external clients leading to mutually satisfactory relationships
• Understands current and emerging client issues prior to proposing solutions
• Regularly collects client feedback and implements suggestions to address issues

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Proposes practical measures to address significant and unexpected problems and challenges
• Remains sensitive and alert to the views of different stakeholders and their influence on outcomes
• Identifies risks and proposes ideas for how they can be managed
• Formulates recommendations to address deficiencies when results are not achieved

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 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/Country Director
• The following staff positions report to the Investment Specialist:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply.