Project Officer (Education and Skills Development)

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

The position is assigned to the Education Sector Group (SDSC-EDU) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC) and will be strategically placed in Uzbekistan Resident Mission (URM) within the Central and West Asia Department (CWRD).

The SDCC provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. The Education Sector Group is responsible for providing policy advice, operational support, and knowledge expertise in mainstreaming priorities in education sector in ADB operations. CWRD is responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to developing member countries (DMCs) in the Central and West Asia region. URM's primary responsibilities include country strategy and programming, policy dialogue and support, portfolio management and administration of delegated projects, aid coordination, economic and sector work and other analytical work, government, civil society, and private sector relations, country reporting and external relations and information dissemination. URM applies the advantage of its in-country presence to assist missions from headquarters in periodic country portfolio and program review activities and to provide mission follow-up support. It can assist interested parties by providing information on ADB and its activities in general and in Uzbekistan. URM's resources are of interest particularly to stakeholders in ADB-supported projects in Uzbekistan.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Project Officer (Education and Skills Development) is responsible for providing analytical support, knowledge, and coordination function for education project operations in Uzbekistan. This includes support and coordination to the education portfolio performance of URM by providing technical assistance (TA) in project processing and administration. The Project Officer (Education and Skills Development) will contribute on the strategic operational support through designing, processing, and implementing educational projects; provision of relevant knowledge products and services in education; and coordination of learning activities in the area of education.

The incumbent will be strategically placed in the URM for an initial period of 3 years and will receive technical guidance and support from designated International Staff from URM, Director, Social Sector Division (CWSS), and the Education Sector Group of the SDCC (SDSC-EDU). Chief, SDSC-EDU and Director, CWSS will also provide supervisory inputs to the incumbent’s annual workplan and performance review.

Responsibilities

A. Strategy and Planning

• Supports policy dialogue toward policy and institutional reforms in education sector
• Participates in country programming activities by identifying opportunities for operational strategies to be reflected in country programming documents.

B. Project & Technical Assistance (TA) Preparation and Administration

• Assumes the lead role in the processing, appraisal, and administration of specific loans and TAs; actively takes initiative and responsibility to engage with URM, relevant ADB Headquarters (HQ) units, and ADB field offices, government agencies, development partners, private sector partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate formulation, processing, administration and monitoring of ADB-financed loan and TA projects
• Identifies issues and takes actions to address them through interactions with executing agencies (EAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepares measures to address the issues and implement the measures
• Prepares internal procurement papers, review of procurement documents, including draft technical designs and cost estimates, and papers for extension of loan closing dates, reallocation of loan proceeds, changes in scope and implementation arrangements, and other project administration tasks.

C. Sector Work

• Contributes to sector work in the field by assisting in conducting research, updating information on the assigned sector, analyzing financial, institutional, or economics uses, and preparing reports on the subjects
• Where required, acts as the focal point for the assigned sector(s) and maintains close relationships with the relevant Government agencies and HQ staff.
• Reviews operational and other institutional documents to provide education-focused comments and recommendations.
• Contributes to the conceptualization and coordinate online promotional activities for the education sector group.
• Coordinates with operational departments on education-related knowledge and learning needs and propose relevant ones.

D. Knowledge Sharing

• Participates in and contributes to internal and external training and conferences on the education sector and other activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building.

E. Other Operational Support

• Organizes and conducts training workshops for EAs in areas relating to procurement and project administration/management.
• Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s work plan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in education, economics, social studies, finance, IT, or related fields. Master’s degree will be an advantage. Alternatively, university degree in related fields combined with additional relevant professional experience can be considered

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in project management and implementation in the education sector
• Demonstrated expertise and experience within the education and/or skills sector
• Experience and knowledge on various stages of the project cycle (project planning/feasibility analysis/detailed design / project implementation / construction supervision / contract management) is desirable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, Uzbek, and Russian
• Awareness of current trends in education sector in Uzbekistan, Central Asian countries and ADB’s programs/projects in education.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for NS1/2.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.

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