Senior Strategy and Policy Officer - Sustainable Cities

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank (MDB) with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, we began operations in January 2016 and have now grown to 105 approved members worldwide. The Bank’s mission is to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond by financing infrastructure.  AIIB has recently approved its first Corporate Strategy which builds on the experiences of the first 5 years of operations and charts its development over the next 10 years to 2030.

AIIB’s Strategy, Policy and Budget (SPB) Department is responsible for: (i) developing and monitoring the implementation of the Bank’s strategic agenda; (ii) developing and overseeing compliance with the Bank’s operational policies and procedures for the Bank’s infrastructure investment operations (non-treasury), including environmental, social, procurement and financial management; and (iii) developing and monitoring the Bank’s annual business plan to implement the Bank’s strategies and manage the Bank’s administrative budget to support the implementation of the annual business plan.

SPB is recruiting a Senior Strategy and Policy Officer – Sustainable Cities. The successful candidate will be responsible for advising on the implementation of AIIB’s Sustainable Cities Sector Strategy, building AIIB’s knowledge and thought leadership on the sector including providing periodic analysis on sector trends and opportunities, promoting partnership with key stakeholder and partners.  The successful candidate will also contribute to AIIB’s urban lending program by supporting Investment Operations departments in the identification of financing opportunities and for understanding and responding to urban challenges and opportunities in Asia, including urbanization (demographic shifts and social changes, economic, structural and spatial transformation), climate change, disaster risk management, sustainable development, urban local governance, technology and innovation among others.

 Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation and further update of the Bank’s Sustainable Cities Strategy, and its alignment with the Bank’s mandate, Corporate Strategy, international commitments including the Paris Agreement and the Bank’s thematic priorities.
• Monitor market trends, policy development as well as relevant technology development and their application to the urban environment, strengthen AIIB’s understanding of client needs, develop urban sector knowledge and country profiles to support investment operations.
• Engage stakeholders for business development and identify priority areas for investment opportunities, in close coordination with the Investment Operations Departments.
• Coordinate the development of relevant partnerships and engagement in international dialogues, and promote its external image and branding.
• Identify and develop innovative solutions to fully maximize AIIB’s responsiveness, value add and brand recognition over time.  Due consideration will be given to the range of financing options including sovereign financing to direct equity at the project and sector levels including capital market initiatives.
• Particular focus will be placed on developing financing solutions to meet the needs of sub-sovereign, municipal and urban utility clients in the water and waste sectors.  Solutions for urban transport, energy, digital infrastructure and climate will be undertaken in collaboration with sector focused colleagues.
• Support quality assurance from the urban sector perspective by assisting screening and reviewing project proposals and providing technical and sectoral support to Investment Operations.
• Support annual business planning and regular update.
• Responsibilities may be refined according to work needs and the Officer’s skillset, as the Bank grows and its business evolves.

 Requirements:

• Candidates are requested to submit a cover letter which includes their motivations for applying and their understanding of the objectives of AIIB’s Sustainable Cities Strategy.  Additionally, candidates should provide a brief assessment of future financing opportunities and areas where AIIB can add value in the urban space given the needs of the Bank’s members and future relevant trends.
• A minimum of a Master’s degree in an urban planning, economics or a related field, from an accredited university.
• Minimum 8 to 10 years of direct experience in a combination of roles related to financing urban projects including the design and implementation of urban development strategies and policies, project financing, urban sustainability, climate change, municipal and urban utility financing, research and policy dialogue. 
• Demonstrable practical sectoral experience in water and waste is required while additional exposure to urban resilience and urban transportation particularly in capacity constrained countries is an advantage. 
• Experience in a multilateral development bank or international financing institution
• A strong understanding of and proven track record in the various financing options for urban infrastructure financing.
• A proven exposure to and networks in international sustainable cities / urban fora and a sound understanding of international urban development policy developments and market trends including particularly the development of climate change solutions in the urban context.
• Proven track record on policy dialogue and managing cross-institutional collaboration at a high level, including with representatives of government and nongovernment partners.
• Results-oriented and proactive with a demonstrated ability to lead a team as well as being a team player; good attention to detail and ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a piece of written analytical work (minimum of 10 pages) alongside the application.

Previous experience and qualifications will determine the employee level at which an applicant will enter AIIB.