Principal Partnerships Specialist

The Principal Partnerships Specialist leads the Japan Funds team within the Partner Funds Division of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department at ADB. The role involves strategic leadership, fund management, donor engagement, and team supervision to ensure effective administration and alignment of Japan Funds with ADB priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-level engagement with the Government of Japan, serving as the primary focal point for strategic dialogue on Japan Funds and maintaining senior-level relationships.
• Shape and drive the strategic positioning of Japan Funds within ADB, ensuring alignment with corporate strategies and sector priorities.
• Lead policy development and continuous enhancement of Japan Funds frameworks, overseeing review and refinement of fund policies and operational procedures.
• Oversee strategic direction of knowledge, visibility, and communications for Japan Funds, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and ADB frameworks.
• Ensure high-quality portfolio-level reporting and narrative positioning to GOJ and ADB Management.
• Drive OneADB coordination and institutional integration, leading collaboration across departments and representing the team in corporate platforms.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Japan Funds portfolio, ensuring alignment with ADB priorities and optimal resource allocation.
• Ensure fiduciary compliance, reporting, and portfolio performance, monitoring risks and addressing implementation bottlenecks.
• Guide pipeline development and project alignment, advising on project fit, design, and positioning for Japan Fund financing.
• Provide overall leadership, direction, and supervision of the Japan Funds Team, setting strategic priorities and fostering a high-performing team environment.
• Lead performance management, staff development, and organizational continuity, including coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Law or relevant fields, or University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Law or relevant fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position in similar organization/s can be considered.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in the Asia and Pacific region, including high-level coordination and interaction with both internal and external stakeholders, and demonstrated knowledge of development assistance, international finance, or official cofinancing instruments.
• Broad-based understanding of MDB operations, activities, and processes.
• Experience in working with Japanese government, organizations, institutions, or private sector organizations will be an advantage.
• In-depth understanding of development operations, data analytics, and fiduciary reporting is required.
• Prior experience in loan, grant and TA processing, project and TA implementation and portfolio management is also required.
• Proven management experience is a prerequisite.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English.
• International experience working in several countries with experience in multilateral or bilateral agency’s resident missions or field offices an advantage.

Skills

• Development Assistance
• International Finance
• Official Cofinancing Instruments
• Multilateral development institution operations
• Loan Processing
• Grant Processing
• Technical Assistance Programming
• Project Implementation
• Portfolio Management
• Fiduciary Reporting
• Data Analytics
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• Fund Management
• Team Supervision
• Strategic Leadership
• Japanese Government Relations
• Multilateral Organization Experience
• Bilateral Agency Experience

Languages

English