Senior Operations Officer

Job Vacancy | Friday, April 10, 2026

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 and Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position will be assigned in the Samoa Pacific Country Office (SAM PCO) or Tonga Pacific Country Office (TON PCO). These Pacific Country Offices are under the Pacific Subregional Office (PCO) in Suva, Fiji (SPSO). SPSO was established in 2004 and is responsible for maintaining client relations, country programming, coordination with development partners, and portfolio management across sectors for the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. SPSO is also providing oversight for the administrative, financial, and country operations in the five pacific country offices in the South Pacific, including SAM PCO and TON PCO.

You will report to the Regional Director, SPSO and will work with the Country Operations Head (COH) and may supervise junior team members.

Your Role

As a Senior Operations Officer, you will support the Regional Director SPSO, in the sound technical and operational management of ADB-financed operations and related technical assistance (TA) for a PCO under SPSO. You will provide technical expertise in project management, coordinate daily operations oversight, and support quality assurance and portfolio management. You will participate in relevant development partner coordination activities related to project investments and facilitate capacity development and knowledge capture around project management issues. You will work with relevant project officers and sector and thematic divisions, country management team, and PARD Management.

You will:

• Support the Regional Director and COH in the sound, efficient, and results-oriented management of operations in a PCO under SPSO, including portfolio monitoring, quality assurance, and inputs to country programming processes led by the PCO.
• Provide technical and operational inputs to support ADB in strategic policy dialogue with governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders on project management, implementation effectiveness, delivery bottlenecks, and institutional capacity issues.
• Consult and work closely with development partners, including through participation in relevant coordination mechanisms, to provide technical coordination on infrastructure investments and ensure alignment of project design and ADB support with DMC priorities and requirements.
• Support fact-finding and appraisal missions by reviewing and assessing project readiness and robustness, including adequacy of technical designs, cost estimates, and financing plans; and by reviewing procurement plans, implementation schedules and sequences, disbursement arrangements, safeguards requirements, governance and anticorruption measures, and other project implementation arrangements, to promote strong quality at entry.
• At the country level, monitor contract award and disbursement performance; identify causes of shortfalls, including systemic and country-specific project management and implementation issues; and support COH and project team leaders in coordinating with executing and implementing agencies, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders to implement remedial actions.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to government ministries, executing and implementing agencies, and sector entities on ADB policies and procedures related to procurement; loan, grant, and TA disbursement; safeguards; anticorruption; and project monitoring.
• Help prepare project and TA completion reports and support project review and country portfolio review missions.
• Capture, share, and exchange knowledge on project management and implementation issues, including through participation in relevant meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Contribute to capacity building of executing and implementing agencies, including project planning, contract management, reporting, and compliance with ADB requirements.
• Support appropriate public visibility and communication of ADB-financed projects, including coordination on site visits, stakeholder engagement activities, and preparation of communication materials in line with ADB guidelines.
• Oversee and review the work of staff, consultants, and contractors and ensure quality and timeliness of work outputs.
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned, as reflected in your work plan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, planning, or related disciplines; preferably with a master's degree or equivalent in a related field, or certification in project management or similar area.
• At least 8 years of relevant project management experience supporting large-scale infrastructure projects, including at least 4 years of supervisory experience. Experience across more than one infrastructure sectors is preferred.
• Sound understanding of ADB's, or similar multilateral development banks' or funding partners' procedures and practices related to TA and loan/grant project processing and administration is desirable.
• Experience managing multiple workstreams simultaneously, including planning, prioritization, and coordination of tasks.
• Strong experience in drafting reports, correspondence, and presentations, and communicating effectively in English.
• Experience engaging and managing stakeholders and working effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience in proactively identifying work challenges and proposing practical solutions.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical Local Staff Level 6 (TL6).

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.

• Retirement plan
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This opening is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and permanent residents of Samoa and Tonga.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years, or up to the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, for the purpose(s) and conditions determined by ADB, 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 up to an additional 3 years or not renewed. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including but not limited to the requirement of Staff's particular blend of skills and experience for the medium-term work program of the organizational unit, sufficient funding to cover the renewed period, and Staff's performance and suitability for employment. There is no limit to the number of renewals up to NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

About Us

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is headquartered in Manila and owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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