ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK PRIVATE SECTOR STRATEGY
Founded in 1966, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to alleviate poverty in Asia and the Pacific by fostering sustained and inclusive growth. ADB in partnership with member governments and other stakeholders is focused on delivering projects that create economic and development impact.
Founded in 1966, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to alleviate poverty in Asia and the Pacific by fostering sustained and inclusive growth. ADB in partnership with member governments and other stakeholders is focused on delivering projects that create economic and development impact.
Identifying the private sector as the key to sustainable, rapid growth, the ADB’s corporate strategy aims to help expand and strengthen private sector participation in Asia-Pacific developing member countries (DMCs). To spur market-led growth, ADB invests in infrastructure and advises governments on the basics of a business-friendly environment, including reliable rules, regulations, and policies that do not disadvantage private sector enterprise. Reforms that spur entrepreneurial development, improve the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and stimulate foreign and domestic private investment are designed to enlarge the private sector’s role in the economy.
ADB also provides direct financial assistance to private sector projects, and acts as a catalyst for investments that the private sector might not otherwise be willing to make. Through direct financing, credit enhancements, risk mitigation guarantees, and innovative new financial instruments, ADB helps create value by attracting private capital to DMCs and deploying business management or technical expertise to specific sectors and transactions. ADB promotes public–private partnerships in all of its core operational areas.
ADB provided $21.02 billion in approved financing in 2013. The main devices for assistance are loans, grants, policy dialogue, technical assistance and equity investments. The bank counts 67 member nations and has more than 3,000 employees. It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
MEKONG BUSINESS INITIATIVE
The Mekong Business Initiative (MBI), a new project of the ADB, will be a policy advisory and advocacy technical assistance facility to promote Private Sector Development (PSD) in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), with a focus on Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV). It will support business-enabling reforms and not be used to prepare non-sovereign transactions. The MBI will “think regionally and act nationally” in that it is a regional initiative focusing on common regional issues, but offering national solutions.
The Mekong Business Initiative (MBI), a new project of the ADB, will be a policy advisory and advocacy technical assistance facility to promote Private Sector Development (PSD) in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), with a focus on Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV). It will support business-enabling reforms and not be used to prepare non-sovereign transactions. The MBI will “think regionally and act nationally” in that it is a regional initiative focusing on common regional issues, but offering national solutions.
The MBI will initially focus on stakeholder consultations, diagnostic work, and advocacy activities with the intention of spurring demand for reforms. It will look to gradually build up a reform program in response to demand from CLMV private sector entities and governments, and will work to support reform implementation. The MBI will also support capacity building at implementing institutions to ensure sustainability of activities.
This MBI is co-financed by the Government of Australia and the ADB. The project will initially be implemented from 2015 to 2017. If successful then the TA may be extended.
The project will be based in Hanoi, Viet Nam, although there will be some flexibility for outstanding regionally based experts.
For more details go to the following link:
POSITION: BUSINESS REGULATION REFORM EXPERT
The expert will coordinate, manage, and provide technical leadership on reforms to the business regulation environments in CLMV that incentivize formalization and support regional harmonization and integration. This includes supervising the recruitment of short-term consultants to provide specialist inputs, and controlling the quality of their outputs. The expert will also manage the technical officer (business regulation reform).
The expert will coordinate, manage, and provide technical leadership on reforms to the business regulation environments in CLMV that incentivize formalization and support regional harmonization and integration. This includes supervising the recruitment of short-term consultants to provide specialist inputs, and controlling the quality of their outputs. The expert will also manage the technical officer (business regulation reform).
The expert will report to the ADB staff responsible for project managing the MBI. He/she will work closely with the MBI team leader to develop and integrate the content of the business regulation reform component of the MBI with the overall objectives of the MBI. The expert will be responsible for:
- Developing a business regulation reform strategy and work plan with the specific objective to improve the business-enabling environment in CLMV.
- Undertaking diagnostic studies on laws and legal processes in CLMV, including gender dimensions, with a view to identifying and assessing legal impediments to PSD and business formalization and growth.
- Engaging key stakeholders through the design and implementation of suitable legal reform forums and workshops, and helping to elevate the awareness and understanding of relevant issues through contributions to MBI policy briefing notes and other publications, as appropriate.
- Responding to requests from CLMV governments to support drafting of selected business laws in his or her area of expertise. He or she will provide capacity-building support to institutions responsible for enforcing selected business laws.
- Supporting adoption of innovative approaches to extending the benefits of business legal reforms, including through new technology.
- Designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation surveys to assess the impact of selected MBI activities.
- Strengthening regional cooperation in the area of business law reform. In particular, the expert will develop, facilitate, and contribute to regional workshops and seminars; support regional PSD project or program initiatives; establish and strengthen links with regional organizations, initiatives, and events; and contribute to regional cooperation in PSD areas (e.g., development and promotion of regional business laws, promotion of regional institutions).
The expert must possess the following qualities:
- At least 10 years of experience in legal practice, with at least 5 years of experience within CLMV.
- The ability to lead and provide entry-point technical support for the entire practice area of business law. It would be advantageous to have experience in the following areas: business registries (e.g., business names, business licensing, entity structures), secured transactions, competition, etc.
- Experience of managing legal reform project, including implementation of laws and online business registries, would be desirable.
- The ability to carry on discussions at the highest levels of government and with senior representatives of the private sector.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to inspire team members to deliver under demanding time frames.
- A law degree.
- The expert should be prepared to travel frequently.
LOCATION AND DURATION OF POSITION
The expert will be expected to relocate to Ha Noi, Viet Nam; however, there will be some flexibility for outstanding candidates to have the option of being based in Bangkok or other regional locations.
The expert will be expected to relocate to Ha Noi, Viet Nam; however, there will be some flexibility for outstanding candidates to have the option of being based in Bangkok or other regional locations.
The MBI will initially be implemented from 2015 to 2017. This position has a duration of 35 person-months. If the TA is successful then there are possibilities for extension.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply please send an up to date curriculum vitae (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) along with a covering letter of application tombijob@adb.org, quoting position title, e.g. “Business regulation reform expert”. The closing date for applications is midday GMT 31 December 2014.
To apply please send an up to date curriculum vitae (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) along with a covering letter of application tombijob@adb.org, quoting position title, e.g. “Business regulation reform expert”. The closing date for applications is midday GMT 31 December 2014.
Applications should consist of:
- full CV detailing professional qualifications
- a statement (maximum two pages) showing how the candidate meets the criteria listed above for the appointment and offering evidence of skills and experience.
Longlisted candidates will be screened by the Asian Development Bank during December 2014. Shortlist candidates will be contacted for an initial phone interview. Outstanding candidates will then be formally interviewed by a selection panel before final recruitment decision is made.
