Project Officer (Energy)

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

While the position of Project Officer (Energy) resides with the Energy Sector Division (SD1-ENE) within the Sectors Department 1 (SD1) you will be strategically assigned to the Sri Lanka Resident Mission (SLRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD) based at our Resident Mission in Colombo Sri Lanka.

You will report to the Principal Portfolio Management Specialist and the country director or designated Technical International staff in SLRM.

Your Role

As a Project Officer (Energy) you will contribute to the energy sector operations in Sri Lanka. You will do this by supporting loan/Technical Assistance (TA) processing and administration portfolio management sector work and other general sector activities. You will focus on energy and related sectors including public and private sector operations. You will undertake assigned responsibilities using substantial and diverse experience undertake a variety of assignments deliver knowledge product and general work. You will also contribute independently to SD1-ENE and SLRM by covering all or a combination of the following tasks in energy and related sectors contribute to the processing and administration of assigned loans and TAs under the guidance of the Country Director/Sector Director and international sector specialists.

You will:

• Participate in project processing and administration as a project team member. Prepare project appraisal documents organize and lead mission schedules and collaborate closely with government counterparts and sector stakeholders.
• Provide technical inputs to project design across different subsectors of the power sector including generation (conventional and renewable) transmission distribution energy efficiency and emerging distributed energy systems ensuring alignment with sector reforms and national priorities.
• Contribute to the processing and administration of energy sector loans and TAs. Engage with RM HQ and field offices of ADB government agencies development partners (DPs) private sector partners and other stakeholders. This engagement facilitates the successful formulation processing administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and TA projects.
• Monitor the progress of assigned projects and prepare project performance reports.
• Maintain a broad and up-to-date understanding of the energy sector as a whole including new technologies and emerging areas such as smart grids digitalization green hydrogen demand-side management and integrate these insights into project design and policy dialogue.
• Prepare and update forecasts of contract awards and disbursements identifying factors responsible for shortfalls and expediting achievement of target levels. Identify issues and take actions to address them through interactions with executing agencies (EAs) contractors consultants and project beneficiaries; prepare measures to address the issues and implement the measures.
• Manage the procurement process and be responsive to the needs and timeframes of the executing agencies/implementing agencies (EA/IA). Prepare memos for extension of loan closing dates reallocation of loan proceeds changes in scope and implementation arrangements and other project administration tasks.
• Provide advice to government ministries EAs and sector entities on ADB guidelines on procurement recruitment of consultants preparation of tender documents to ensure implementation. Help resolve complex challenges in collaboration with EA/IA government agencies consultants and contractors especially during project administration.
• Use consultative approaches and communication tools to understand and respond respectfully to client needs.
• Conduct analyses using relevant best practices to support design or implementation of solutions and evaluation of risks. Try innovative approaches to face new situations or challenges and provide support for new policies and systems.
• Implement innovative solutions to solve recurrent implementation and project administration challenges.
• Prepare Project Completion Reports and TA Completion Reports as assigned.
• Support or participate in Project Review or Country Operations Review missions as a mission member.
• Provide support for policy dialogues with government on policy matters and institutional issues.
• Maintain cooperation with other DPs and undertake consultations with them especially in areas relating to donor coordination and harmonization in sector work.
• Contribute to sector work in the field through research analysis and outreach programs with key stakeholders.
• Work closely with all key energy sector stakeholdersincluding ministries utilities regulators private developers development partners and financial institutionsand serve as ADBs country focal point on energy in SLRM.
• Maintain knowledge base of future government investment plans and approval processes institutional structure and policies relevant to the energy sectors.
• Represent ADB in meetings conferences seminars and workshops.
• Help conduct training workshops for EAs/IAs in areas relating to project implementation and administration.
• Support the CD and other country office staff in relevant operational activities including high-level external engagements missions of management and board to the field and other identified needs.
• Mentor junior staff to improve their individual performance and development.
• Perform other responsibilities that may be assigned as reflected in your workplan.