Devex Talent Solutions is currently assisting the Asian Development Bank in their search for a Senior Climate Finance Specialist (Agribusiness), Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) to be based in Manila, Philippines. Apply by: 17 December 2024
OVERVIEW:The position is assigned in the Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment Cluster (CCRE)) within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD) and will be strategically placed in the Agribusiness Investment Team (AIT) under the Office of the Director General (OPSD) of the Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD).
CCSD provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. CCRE leads the Bank’s work in responding to the growing need for innovative policies, institutions, and investments to lead the region to a low carbon, climate and disaster resilient future; and supports ADB’s operational departments to develop and implement climate and disaster resilience projects, integrate disaster risk and climate change considerations into their broader portfolio of projects, and access climate financing.
AIT in PSOD supports agribusiness projects and companies across the entire food and agriculture value chain by providing assistance in the form of debt and direct equity investments. AIT is mainstreaming climate finance with almost all new projects having climate mitigation and/or climate adaptation features and the associated climate finance. PSOD provides investment capital to private sector entrepreneurs, corporates and project sponsors, as well as financial intermediaries, such as banks, throughout developing Asia. It catalyzes, structures, and funds investments in privately held and state-sponsored companies across a wide range of industry sectors. Its emphasis is on commercially viable transactions that generate financial returns while also delivering on ADB’s organizationwide mission to promote low carbon climate resilient, environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. PSOD is expected to significantly contribute to ADB’s commitment to deliver $100 billion in climate finance over 2019 to 2030. Agribusiness is a fertile area to scale up ADB’s climate outcomes and climate finance investments. To learn more about PSOD, watch this video.
This position has been created as part of the Workforce Rebalancing Framework, which is a multiyear initiative (2022- 2027) aimed at increasing in-house expertise in key operational areas that was previously sourced from consultants through ADB’s technical assistance. The goal is to strengthen in-house expertise to enhance the quality of ADB’s policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by collaborating closely with DMC clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions.
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Climate Finance Specialist (Agribusiness) will lead in the identification, screening, due diligence, structuring, obtaining of approvals, negotiation, implementation and closing of successful direct debt financing and equity investments and technical assistance programs that have a strong climate dimension in food and agribusiness companies across ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). The incumbent will report to the Director, Climate Change and operationally to the Agribusiness Investment Team lead in PSOD. The position will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.
a. Climate Leadership
Develops knowledge of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies and investments for various segments of the food and agribusiness value chain, while also paying attention to natural capital and nature-based solutions
Maximizes the climate benefits (adaptation and mitigation) and the climate finance potential of PSOD agribusiness investment projects and technical assistance, coordinating with clients to identify projects’ potential climate aspects, hiring and managing experts to prepare climate risk assessments, and liaising with CCSD’s colleagues on relevant climate finance volumes
Supports clients with climate mitigation investments by hiring and managing experts to identify opportunities to reduce emissions and develop roadmaps for carbon neutrality
Mobilizes relevant financial instruments that support clients to implement climate initiatives, such as blended finance, Sustainability-Linked Loans, Sustainable Finance Framework, carbon credits, green / blue / social / sustainable tagging, etc.
Coordinates with other climate finance specialists in ADB (PSOD, CCSD, Sector Group, and Regional Departments) and outside ADB to ensure best practices are being shared and learned
Liaises with external financing partners, international think tanks and academia partners engaged in climate change and climate finance topics of relevance to developing Asia and the Pacific
Conducts analysis and prepares discussion papers on climate actions in the food and agricultural value chain/agribusiness sector, provides inputs to ongoing initiatives/discussions with internal external stakeholder including donors about engaging the private sector in climate change activities
Develops marketing materials, presentations, case studies and other knowl edge products on ADB climate change projects for external dissemination, coordinating with third parties preparing similar products on ADB projects, and liaising with other ADB project officers to obtain necessary information from project sponsors
Participates in conferences and other knowledge events on climate action for agribusiness, including as a panelist or moderator (e.g. Healthy Oceans Forum, Resilience Learning Month, RDFS Forum, and external events).
b. Transaction Origination and Processing
Leads in the identification, development, and processing of transactions (as project team leader) to be considered for ADB private sector direct agribusiness investment;
Leads and nurtures active relationships with food and agribusiness companies, financiers, and various advisors in the region, including through business development travels;
Leads in developing a pipeline for ADB private sector direct agribusiness investment by identifying potential debt or equity transactions presenting both a strong developmental impact potential and robust financial profile;
Leads and undertakes comprehensive financial assessment, including analysis of audited financial statements, financial modeling including sensitivity analysis, credit rating for debt transactions, and valuation for equity transactions;
Leads and undertakes comprehensive due diligence on market, commercial, technical, environmental, social, corporate governance, and integrity issues related to the proposed transactions;
Leads, structures and negotiates the proposed financial assistance, ensuring proper risk management is applied, and designs relevant technical assistance programs;
Leads and presents the transaction rationale and makes recommendation on the proposed transaction terms to ADB’s Management and Board;
Ensures a prompt financial closing of the transaction, with legal documentation reflecting the decisions of ADB’s Management and Board;
Ensures the ongoing financial and structural soundness, development impact and alignment of the transactions to ADB’s overall mission, strategies and policies; and
Ensures compliance with internal guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as with market best practices
c. Strategy and Planning
Leads and contributes to the development of policy and strategies for ADB’s climate and developmental goals for the private sector, and particularly for the agribusiness sector, in consultation with relevant stakeholders;
Participates in country teams and missions for planning and programming purposes with particular focus on private sector development and operations and for the identification of investment opportunities; and
Leads and coordinates work with other departments on project related and strategy policy matters, including through participation in the Rural Development and Food Security (Agriculture) Thematic Group.
d. Knowledge Sharing
Participates in and contributes substantially to relevant learning events and other activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building;
Drafts, reviews, and provides comments on project, policy, and other papers related to private sector development and operations, particularly for the agribusiness sector; and
Maintains and shares knowledge of emerging best practices in the agribusiness sector
e. Staff Supervision
Takes the role of project team leader and coordinates the work of project team members, including international staff, national staff, and consultants;
Takes the role of mission leader and supervises the work of mission members;
Supervises the performance of reporting staff and consultants, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance; and
Ensures the on-going learning and development of reporting staff and consultants.
f. Others
Leads, coordinates, supports and/or handles ad hoc assignments as assigned.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS
Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Finance or equivalent; or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Finance or equivalent and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in corporate and project lending, investment banking, or private equity leading direct cross-border debt or equity transactions, with experience of applying climate low carbon and resilience in consideration to investments in the food and agribusiness sector, ideally in Asia.
Excellent financial modeling, equity valuation, corporate and project finance, and other core banking and investment skills.
International experience working in development in several countries.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
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