A CAREER AT ADB

P R O F E S S I O N A L S TA F F
OUR VISION
We are committed to realizing the vision of an Asia and
Pacific region free of poverty.

OUR MISSION
As an international development finance institution, our
mission is to help our developing member countries
reduce poverty and improve their quality of life.

Cover photos: left by Carolyn Dedolph;

middle and right by Eric Sales
 ERIC SALES
A CAREER AT ADB
P R O F E S S I O N A L S TA F F

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RICHIE ABRINA

About ADB 4 • Our Members 5 • What We Do 6 • Where You’ll Find Us 8 • Our Organization 10 • Shareholders 10 • Management 10
• Our Professionals 12 • Professional Staff Positions 13 • Come Work with Us 14 • How We Select Our Employees 15 • Initial Appointment
and Assignment 15 • Compensation and Benefits 15 • Professional Advancement 15 • The W orkplace 16 • ADB Headquarters 16 • Facilities
Workplace
and Services 16 • The Host Country 19 • The Philippines 19 • Climate 19 • People and Languages 20 • Currency and Banking 20
• Accommodation 21 • Education and Learning Institutions 21 • Recreation 22 • Tourism 23

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W
hen the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was established in 1966, the Asia and
Pacific region was poor and underdeveloped. Within four decades, however, its
economies have made significant progress, resulting in better lives for the
region’s people.

But this progress has been uneven and reflects the diversity of the region. While some of
the region’s countries are close to reaching developed country status, others remain in the
middle- to low-income category. Small island countries, for example, face challenges in
achieving sustainable development, while some countries with large populations continue
to battle poverty within their borders.

Nevertheless, the Asia and Pacific region exudes tremendous potential to rapidly attain
sustainable economic development and poverty reduction in the coming years. This is
because the region’s people themselves have great potential. As a specialist in your own
field, we invite you to join us in helping our developing member countries realize faster and
more sustainable development and help their people enjoy higher and more equitable
standards of living. Together, we will continue these efforts and strengthen ADB’s role as a

RICHIE ABRINA
valued and trusted member of the Asian and Pacific community.

Haruhiko Kuroda
President, Asian Development Bank

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 ABOUT ADB
ADB is a multilateral development finance institution owned by 63 members,
45 from Asia and the Pacific and 18 from other parts of the globe. Our vision
is an Asia and Pacific region free of poverty. Our mission is to help our
developing member countries reduce poverty and improve their living

LARRY RAMOS
conditions and quality of life.

Established in 1966, ADB pursues a strategic agenda—sustainable economic

growth, inclusive social development, and governance for effective policies
and institutions—with three crosscutting themes: private sector development,
regional cooperation, and environmental sustainability.

ADB partners with governments, other international organizations, civil

society, and the private sector to assist its developing member countries.
ADB serves a very large region, with more than half of the world’s popula-
tion living in Asia and the Pacific.

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OUR MEMBERS As of March 2005

Regional
Afghanistan • Australia • Azerbaijan • Bangladesh • Bhutan • Cambodia •
People’s Republic of China • Cook Islands • Fiji Islands • Hong Kong, China •
India • Indonesia • Japan • Kazakhstan • Kiribati • Republic of Korea •
Kyrgyz Republic • Lao People’s Democratic Republic • Malaysia • Maldives •
Marshall Islands • Federated States of Micronesia • Mongolia • Myanmar •
Nauru • Nepal • New Zealand • Pakistan • Palau • Papua New Guinea •
Philippines • Samoa • Singapore • Solomon Islands • Sri Lanka •
Taipei,China • Tajikistan • Thailand • Timor-Leste • Tonga • Turkmenistan •
Tuvalu • Uzbekistan • Vanuatu • Viet Nam

Nonregional

HALSEY STREET
Austria • Belgium • Canada • Denmark • Finland • France • Germany • Italy
• Luxembourg • The Netherlands • Norway • Portugal • Spain • Sweden •
Switzerland • Turkey • United Kingdom • United States

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 WHAT WE DO
ADB’s operations are diverse, covering agriculture and natural resources;
energy; finance; industry and trade; transport and communications; educa-

RICHIE ABRINA
tion; health, nutrition, and social protection; water supply, sanitation, and
waste management; law, economic management, and public policy. Many
of our projects focus directly on improving the lives of the poor.

We provide various forms of assistance to governments and private

enterprises. Our main instruments are policy dialogue, loans, technical
assistance, grants, guarantees, and equity investments.

Our operations are financed by issuing bonds, recycling repayments, and

receiving contributions from members. About 70% of our cumulative lending
comes from ordinary capital resources. We also provide loans from Special

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Funds resources. Among them is the Asian Development Fund, which
provides concessional loans to our least developed member countries. We

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also manage several trust funds and channel financing of grants provided
by bilateral donors.
“I have always held a fascination for
Our total lending volume in 2004 was $5.3 billion. We extended Asia, and having traveled in the region
$196.3 million in technical assistance for preparing and implementing and seen some of the challenges, I
projects, supporting advisory activities, and undertaking regional activities. was attracted by the opportunity to
We provided grants totaling $23.5 million. For every dollar we lent in 2004, contribute to its development.” —
we mobilized an additional 45 cents from other official sources and com- Eveline N. Fischer, Assistant General Counsel,
mercial institutions. Office of the General Counsel
ROLLIE DEL ROSARIO

ROLLIE DEL ROSARIO

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 WHERE YOU’LL FIND US
With headquarters in Manila, Philippines, ADB has 26 offices worldwide
and more than 2,000 employees from over 50 countries.

We are helping…
• Afghanistan rebuild its roads and other infrastructure
• Bangladesh ensure that all children receive primary education, and
mitigate the effects of flooding
• Cambodia increase the productivity of farmers
• Nepal improve rural infrastructure and livelihood
• Papua New Guinea provide better opportunities for fishing communities
• Pakistan strengthen legal reforms
TAKESHI TAKAHARA

• People’s Republic of China (PRC) promote cleaner and more reliable

energy
• Philippines build affordable housing for tens of thousands of poor
urban families

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• Southeast Asia provide capital to the region’s small and medium
entrepreneurs
• Central Asia fight malnutrition and drought by supporting research in
soil and water management
• Greater Mekong Subregion improve harvests, bring electricity to the

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remotest villages, and control HIV/AIDS
• South Asia reconstruct and rehabilitate tsunami-damaged infrastructure
• Asia and the Pacific region bring water and other basic services to the
poorest communities, and fight SARS and other newly emerging diseases
“After more than a decade of
working with other development
institutions, I realized that advocacy
activities alone are not enough to
help the poor… When I learned
about ADB and what it does, I knew
that it makes a difference because it
not only talks about advocacy but
also finances projects to bring that
advocacy into reality.” — Cecile L.H.F.
Gregory, Director, Institutional Services Division,
Office of Administrative Services
HALSEY STREET

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 OUR ORGANIZATION
SHAREHOLDERS
Of our 63 members, Japan and the United States are coequally the largest
shareholders, each with 15.8% of total subscribed capital. Thirty-four of
ERIC SALES our members are borrowing members.

MANAGEMENT
Our highest policy-making body is our Board of Governors. It meets annually
and is composed of one representative from each member country. Our
Governors elect the 12 members of our Board of Directors. Our President,
assisted by four Vice-Presidents and a Managing Director General, manages
the business of ADB.

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“The average per capita GNP in 1964 in developing Asia was only

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US$90, less than the average in Africa, which was $150 at that
time. Today the region has developed significantly, leading some to
conclude that ADB has completed its mandate. However, I believe
many challenges remain and we need ADB to continue to
implement its mandate. I look forward to ADB as the sole
international financial institution based in Asia, playing a pivotal
role in supporting its developing member countries.” — H.E. Sadakazu
Tanigaki, Minister of Finance of Japan and Governor for Japan in ADB

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 OUR PROFESSIONALS
We take pride in our highly qualified, experienced, dedicated, and motivated
employees. ADB professionals include economists, engineers, lawyers,
accountants, administrators, editors, statisticians, agriculturists, and various
specialists with expertise and experience in development concerns.

We value individuals who possess the highest standards of efficiency and

competence. We recruit our employees from member countries while
ensuring that an equitable balance of nationalities is maintained and that
skills are properly matched with the organization’s goals. We give equal
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opportunities for employment, promotion, and assignment without bias for

nationality, gender, or religion.

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“Asia still faces many difficult challenges but it is on the path to development.
Joining ADB lets you play a role in Asia’s development. For this, you need
experience, innovative thinking, and a good understanding of ADB’s developing
member countries.” — Scott Ferguson, Resettlement Specialist, Transport and Communications
Division, East and Central Asia Department

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PROFES SIONAL ST
PROFESSIONAL AFF POSITIONS
STAFF

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• Administration Specialists
• Agriculture and Rural Development Sector • Financial Specialists
Economists • Gender Specialists

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• Audit Specialists • Governance and Capacity Building
• Board Operations and Administration Specialists
Specialists • Human Resource Specialists
• Budget and Management Services • Information Systems and Technology • Sector Specialists (Education,
Specialists Specialists Environment, Finance, Fisheries,
• Capital Market Specialists • Portfolio Management Specialists Forestry, Health, Housing and Urban
• Cofinancing Specialists • Poverty Reduction Specialists Development, Natural Resources,
• Compensation and Benefits Specialists • Private Sector Development Specialists Rural Development, Social Protection,
• Consulting Services Specialists • Procurement Specialists Transport)
• Counsels • Program Economists • Statisticians
• Country Economists • Programs Coordination Specialists • Strategy and Policy Specialists
• Country Programs Specialists • Project Economists • Structured Finance Specialists
• Economists • Project Engineers • Treasury Specialists
• Evaluation Specialists • Project Management Specialists
• External Relations Specialists • Project Specialists
• Financial Control Specialists • Regional Cooperation Specialists
• Financial Economists • Research Economists
• Financial Management Specialists • Social Development Specialists

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 ERIC SALES
COME WORK WITH US
If you…
“ADB offers a lot of opportunities • are a citizen of an ADB member country;
for those interested in develop- • possess a good academic background, preferably with a postgraduate
ment. It is highly respected by its degree such as an MBA, MS, or PhD;
member countries because of its • have considerable expertise and experience in your profession;
Asian way of engagement, which • have a multidisciplinary background with experience in projects or
involves listening to countries’ programs for developing countries;
problems, and supporting rather • are proficient in both written and spoken English;
than telling governments what to • can work with individuals of different nationalities and cultures; and
do.” — Sean O’Sullivan, Country Director, • are willing to travel
Uzbekistan Resident Mission we invite you to join us.

We are committed to increasing the number of our women employees and

encourage them to apply.

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HOW WE SELECT OUR EMPL EMPLOOYEES COMPENSA
COMPENSATION TION AND BENEFITS
Our Human Resources Division evaluates applications and We offer a compensation and benefits package that is
refers these to interested departments for further review before internationally competitive and comparable with those of
final selection. other multilateral institutions. ADB professional staff mem-
bers are paid a salary in US dollars which is tax-exempt,
INITIAL APPOINTMENT AND AS SIGNMENT
ASSIGNMENT unless one’s government rules otherwise. Our professional
Initial appointments in ADB are for a fixed term—usually for staff members receive housing, children’s educational
3 years—which may then be extended or converted to a support, insurance, home country travel, and retirement
regular open term based on satisfactory performance and benefits. (For detailed information, go to www.adb.org/
continued need for one’s skills. All appointments are subject to employment/benefits.asp)
a probationary period of 1 year, which may be extended for a
further period. PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Promotion and salary advancement are determined by merit
Appointment in ADB involves living in Manila and, depending based on a fair, equitable, and transparent performance
on one’s position, may also entail frequent travel to member measurement process, and the employee’s capacity to assume
countries as well as assignment, at Management’s discretion, increased responsibilities. Managers regularly review the
to any of ADB’s resident missions or representative offices in work of employees to obtain the most effective use of their
other parts of the world. services and expertise.

We actively encourage our employees to upgrade their skills

and broaden their experience in different functional areas
through training and career development opportunities.

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 THE WORKPLACE
ADB HEADQU ARTERS
HEADQUARTERS
Our headquarters is in the Ortigas Commercial Center, a fast-growing
business and financial area in Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila. Our
headquarters building is situated amid shopping and entertainment
centers, hotels, popular business establishments, residences, commercial
banks, restaurants, and a hospital. It is only 5 kilometers away from Makati
City, the Philippines’ financial district.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Virtually a mini city, our headquarters houses various facilities to serve
employees and their families. These include banks offering full banking
services, travel agencies, insurance agencies, medical and dental clinics, a
pharmacy, a commissary, a bookshop and convenience store, a post office,
courier services, telecommunication offices, a spacious cafeteria, executive
dining rooms, mobile snack services, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and
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our own filling station offering fuel at tax-free prices.

We have a well-equipped library, which has an up-to-date and

comprehensive collection of books, newspapers, periodicals, maps,
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pamphlets, journals; microfiche and documents of international, regional, “Expect multitasking. Expect
and national interests; and a wide variety of databases covering current performing under time pressure.
affairs, agriculture, environment, economics, rural development, education, Expect long hours in front of your
finance, management, statistics, social issues, development issues, country PC at the office and sometimes at
studies, and other subjects. Access to the library’s databases and other the airport. But also expect
electronic information services is also available at employees’ desktops. meeting truly intriguing people,
becoming friends with people from
An adjacent ADB learning resources center has individual training stations Asia and other regions, and getting
equipped with individual VCRs, TVs, and PCs for private, individualized, and that rewarding feeling at the end
self-paced instruction in economics, finance, project management, of the day that you’ve made a
accounting, communications, language development, management skills, and difference.” — Shigeko Hattori, Senior
development and information technology. Tutorial videos, CD-ROMs, and the Financial Sector Specialist, Governance, Finance, and
Trade Division, Mekong Department
latest PC software are also available.

Our employees have their own staff association, a community fund, and a

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multipurpose cooperative, as well as employee assistance schemes such as
personal counseling and legal services. There is also the ADB Spouses’
Association and a part-time ADB spouse liaison counselor who helps new
employees and their families adjust to life in Manila by providing
information and contacts both before and after arrival. Among other
services, the spouse liaison counselor can help expatriate employees’

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 spouses seek career, education, and volunteer service opportunities. “After 18 years in consulting, I wanted
Spouses of ADB employees are eligible to apply for a certificate from the a new challenge. I had attached a lot of
Philippine authorities that exempts them from securing a work permit. importance to my independence but I
This exemption will facilitate the procedures for them to find employment
now looked forward to working in an
in the Philippines.
institution where I would work with a
host of eminent colleagues and
If you are a fitness and sports buff, we have a spacious gymnasium with
become part of a greater enterprise in
facilities for fitness workouts, basketball, table tennis, badminton,
development… and learn and
squash, volleyball, martial arts, and other sports. You may also engage in
personally benefit from this.” — Tyrrell
other sports like golf, bowling, tennis, scuba diving, rowing, and other
Duncan, Senior Transport Economist, Transport and
leisure activities through ADB-sponsored clubs. Communications Division, South Asia Department

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RICHIE ABRINA

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 THE HOST COUNTRY
THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of
301,000 square kilometers. Divided into three major island groups—Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao—the country is over 1,854 kilometers long from north
CAROLYN DEDOLPH
(Batanes Island) to south (Tawi-Tawi Islands).

CLIMATE
The Philippines has a tropical climate, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. It
has two distinct seasons: the rainy season from June to October, and the dry
season from November to May. The weather is hot and humid in the summer
months from March to May and pleasantly warm from December to
February. Temperatures range from 23 degrees to 36 degrees centigrade.

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 PEOPLE AND LANGUAGES
Filipinos are basically Malay with Chinese and Spanish ancestries. Presently,
they number about 80 million. Filipino is the national language but English is
widely understood. English is the official language of business and the

MARIO CABRERA
language used in most newspapers and magazines. Spanish and Chinese are
spoken by a few.

CURRENCY AND BANKING

The national currency is the peso. Foreign currencies can be easily changed to
pesos in banks, hotels, and at authorized foreign exchange dealers.

More than 40 universal, commercial, and foreign banks provide the same
range of normal banking services found throughout the world. Many foreign
banks maintain representative offices in Manila.

Local and international credit cards are widely accepted in business

establishments. Traveler’s checks can be encashed in all commercial banks
and are accepted in most major hotels, restaurants, and shops.
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ACCOMMODA
ACCOMMODATION TION
You can easily lease partially furnished and fully furnished accommodation in
residential condominiums or houses in various residential districts of Metro
Manila. Through our housing assistance counselor, we will help you and your

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family find comfortable accommodation upon your arrival in Manila.

EDUCATION AND LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

“In 1988, I spent 3 months as
Education in the Philippines generally follows the US system, with English as
an intern in the Philippines as
the medium of instruction. The University of the Philippines is the premier
part of an international
state university while Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University,
student exchange program and
University of Asia and the Pacific, and the Asian Institute of Management are
met people from ADB. I liked
some of the leading private universities. The last two are graduate schools of
business that offer full-time, high-quality management education programs
what I saw and heard... And,
specifically designed to meet Asian needs. The academic year is from June to
yes, I like living in a tropical
the end of March or early April.
country more than in Frankfurt
or Washington.” — Werner E.
Liepach, Director, Office of Cofinancing
Operations

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 Many international schools offer study programs and school calendars
similar to those of expatriates’ mother countries. Notable are the
International School, Manila Brent School, Manila Japanese School, The
British School, and European International School, which offers a French
and a German curriculum. There are also a number of local Filipino-Chinese
schools.

RICHIE ABRINA Some local schools and therapy centers are also available for children with
special needs. Additionally, there are talent development and vocational
institutions, as well as private services offering tutoring and foreign
language instruction.

RECREA TION
RECREATION
Aside from the facilities provided by ADB, you and your family may choose
to enroll in private sports and social clubs during your stay in the Philip-
pines. A good number of excellent golf courses are a short distance away.
You may also enroll for membership privileges in major hotels in Metro
CAROLYN DEDOLPH

Manila for use of their swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, gyms,
and other facilities.
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TOURISM
Outside Metropolitan Manila but within comfortable driving distance away “Conditions are good and living in
are many resorts and places of interest where people go to relax during Manila is much better than one would
weekends and holidays. Tagaytay, about an hour’s drive, is the nearest cool expect. ADB ensures that staff
resort located on the mountain area overlooking the active and ancient Taal members posted to resident missions
Volcano and Taal Lake. North of Manila is Baguio City, the Philippines’ are also comfortable and secure in
summer capital, located 5,000 feet above sea level and with cool weather their country offices.” — Sean O’Sullivan,
year-round. Near Baguio is the 2,000-year-old Rice Terraces of Banaue. Country Director, Uzbekistan Resident Mission
Other attractions are (in Luzon) the scenic Hundred Islands, historical
Corregidor Island, Los Baños hot springs, Puerto Galera, Punta Baluarte, El “If you’re happy to live in Manila and
Nido Beach, and famous Mayon Volcano; (in the Visayas) the Chocolate enjoy traveling, join ADB. You will
Hills and Boracay Island; (in Mindanao) Dakak Park and Beach Resort. Many have an excellent and rewarding
more interesting destinations offer a refreshing respite from the bustle of career ahead of you.” — Hua Du, Principal
the metropolis. Country Programs Specialist, Bangladesh Resident
Mission

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“Two things made me determined to join ADB: one, ADB
works with developing member countries to promote
economic growth; two, you get the chance to visit a lot of
Asian and Pacific countries, meet new people, and
experience new cultures.” — Hua Du, Principal Country Programs
Specialist, Bangladesh Resident Mission

“ADB sees itself at the cutting edge of development in Asia

and, therefore, aims to have the latest knowledge and the
best ideas... (but) no matter how brilliant you are in these
terms, you should be someone who wants to be a part of
a team and is prepared to put an effort into helping the
other team members make their best contribution and to
recognize their talents when they do so.“ — Tyrrell Duncan,
Senior Transport Economist, Transport and Communications Division,
South Asia Department

RICHIE ABRINA

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Interested in a career at ADB?
Go to www.adb.org/employment/

Asian Development Bank

6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City
1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: (63-2) 632-4444
Fax: (63-2) 636-2444
E-mail: [email protected]

“ADB allows you to grow and experience how it is to make a lasting

ED HAUGH
development impact by touching the lives of many.” — Cecile L.H.F.
Gregory, Director, Institutional Services Division, Office of Administrative Services