Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on 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

The position of Counsel is assigned to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), ADB’s legal department. OGC is responsible for providing legal and policy advice to ADB’s Board of Directors, its Management, and client departments on operational and administrative matters and advises on methods to limit ADB’s risk exposure appropriately. It prepares or reviews documents that create and define the legal rights or obligations of ADB, including financing and investment contracts. You will be assigned at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to an Assistant General Counsel and will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.

The position title on the appointment is “Counsel”.

Your Role

The Counsel will support OGC in achieving its key result areas by processing, negotiating, and administering nonsovereign (private sector) projects with a particular focus on the “Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure 2 Fund (LEAP 2)” and other relevant Funds and Programs administered by the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD).

You will:

a. Operational Support

• Lead in providing legal services in the processing, negotiating, and administering of nonsovereign financing transactions with a particular focus on the “Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure 2 Fund (LEAP 2)” and other relevant Funds and Programs administered by the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD).
• Prepare, review, and negotiate legal documentation in relation to the deployment of LEAP 2 financing and other relevant Funds and Programs, where necessary, guide external counsel with respect to the same.
• Review and advise on waiver requests and amendments concerning legal documentation in particular in relation to LEAP 2 and other relevant Funds and Programs.
• Resolve complex issues and mitigates legal risk for ADB.
• Support the development and update of ADB policies, procedures, and guidelines through the provision of legal advice concerning the same.

b. Knowledge Development & Management

• Develop template documentation, guidance notes, and/or internal “know-how” for both OGC and other relevant departments. Participates in and contributes to relevant internal and external training and other activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building.

c. Staff Supervision

• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent. Alternatively, a university degree in Law combined with at least 5 years of specialized professional experience relevant to the position may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB’s member countries.
• At least 8 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to present and defend legal arguments and issues with a high degree of competence.
• Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-skilled teams.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence and promote a strong culture of honesty, trust and openness.
• Demonstrated ability to meet the core competency requirements of the position.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Experience working in an in-house counsel role is preferred.
• Experience advising multilateral and/or development finance institutions is preferred.