Senior Counsel (Nonsovereign), Manila, Philippines

Asian Development Bank; Manila; On-site; PHP 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing and education allowance

Expatriate benefits

Relocation assistance

Medical and health benefits

Paid leave (including parental)

Job summary

The Asian Development Bank invites applications for Senior Counsel (Nonsovereign) in the Office of the General Counsel at Manila HQ, with relocation provided. The role centers on handling private-sector financing transactions, including equity investments and funds.

You will oversee due diligence, draft and negotiate legal documents, mentor staff, and help develop templates and guidance while coordinating with colleagues across multiple countries.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in law or equivalent; or university degree with 5+ years relevant experience.
• Admission as a lawyer in one or more ADB member countries; NY Bar preferred.
• At least 10 years post-qualification experience advising private equity funds or direct equity transactions.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication; ability to present and defend legal arguments.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational support for nonsovereign financing transactions, focusing on equity investments and private equity funds.
• Lead legal due diligence, draft and negotiate investment documents, and coordinate with external counsel.
• Supervise reporting staff and ensure ongoing learning and development.
• Develop template documents and internal know-how for OGC and other departments; participate in trainings.
• Advise on portfolio management, waivers, restructurings, and related internal processes.

Skills

English proficiency

Leadership

Multicultural teamwork

Negotiation & advocacy

Education

Master's degree in law or equivalent

Bar admission in member country / NY Bar

Job description

Job Vacancy | Thursday, October 29, 2026

Reference Number

Reference Number 261009

Position Grade

Position Grade TI2

Department

Department Office of the General Counsel

Division

Division Office of the General Counsel

Location

Date Posted

Date Posted Thursday, October 29, 2026

Closing Date

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in 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 is assigned to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), ADB's legal department. OGC provides 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. It prepares documents that define the legal rights or obligations of ADB, including financing and investment contracts. OGC also manages the Law and Policy Reform (LPR) Program comprised of a portfolio of technical assistance (TA) projects in key areas such as private sector and PPP development, climate and environmental protection, gender equality, and digital economy, as well as the provision of implementation support to LPR interventions administered by other ADB departments and offices.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to an Assistant General Counsel and will oversee junior team members.

The position title on the appointment is "Senior Counsel".

Your Role

As Senior Counsel (Nonsovereign), you will support OGC in achieving its key result areas by processing, negotiating and administering nonsovereign (private sector) projects. You may also participate in OGC's Law and Policy Reform program alongside the Senior Counsel's main responsibilities.

You will:

a. Provide Operational Support

• Leads in providing legal services in the processing, negotiating, and administering of nonsovereign financing transactions with a focus on ADB's equity investment products, including investment funds and direct equity investments. This includes handling all legal aspects of ADB's commitment as limited partner to investment funds across different asset classes, including private equity, private credit and venture capital and ADB's direct investments (equity and quasi-equity) in a broad range of sectors and companies across the growth spectrum.
• The position will also support ADB's third-party fund management activities by advising on the formation and administration of funds established to be deployed as parallel and blended finance in ADB's private sector operations.
• The role may also provide legal services for other types of ADB nonsovereign financing, including ADB's debt financing products.
• You will lead the legal due diligence exercise and the drafting and negotiation of legal documentation for all such investments and activities and instruct and collaborate with retained external counsel.
• Resolve complex issues and mitigate legal risk for ADB.
• Assist with investment and credit approval and other internal processing matters, technical assistance, and portfolio management, including funding rounds, exits, waivers, consents, amendments and restructurings.
• Support the development and update of ADB policies, procedures, and guidelines through the provision of legal advice in relation to the same.

b. Knowledge Development & Management

• Develop template documentation, guidance notes, 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 and ensures the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's degree in law, or equivalent; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• Admission as a lawyer in one or more of ADB's member countries. Primary admission in a common law jurisdiction or to the New York Bar is preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience advising on private equity funds or direct equity investment transactions.
• 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 effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams, inspire trust and confidence, foster a culture of honesty, openness, and integrity, demonstrate the core competencies required for the position, and bring international experience gained from working across several countries.
• Experience working in an in-house counsel role and advising multilateral and/or development finance institutions is preferred.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical International staff Grade 2 (TI2).

ADB offers a rewarding salary and a comprehensive benefits package . The salary will be based on ADB's standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (if applicable)
• Relocation (if applicable)
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may, at the option of ADB, be extended once for up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on its expiration date. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB that: (a) it will require Staff's particular blend of skills and experience in the foreseeable future; and (b) Staff's performance is satisfactory and they are suitable for further employment.

About Us

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is headquartered in Manila and owned by 69 members-50 from the region.

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