Senior Counsel: PPP & Sovereign Projects

Global Roles; Manila; Hybrid; PHP 2,500,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

The Asian Development Bank seeks a Senior Counsel to provide expert legal support for PPP projects, sovereign operations, and policy reform across its operations. The role covers transaction advisory, drafting and negotiating core project agreements, and supervising a legal team in a multinational setting.

Ideal candidates bring extensive infrastructure finance experience, international contract exposure, and strong English proficiency, with a proven track record in multicultural environments.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree or equivalent in law with lawyer admission in an ADB member country and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 10 years of relevant legal experience in the formulation and implementation of infrastructure development projects (project finance or PPP experience would be ideal).
• Experience in preparation and negotiation of international financing agreements and/or project agreements (e.g., concession or implementation agreements, PPAs, O&M, fuel supply, EPC etc.).
• Experience advising government on development and implementation of complex infrastructure projects.
• Legal analysis of the status and organization of multilateral development and financing institutions.
• Relevant legal experience in the preparation and negotiation of financing agreements in sovereign operations is desirable.
• Proficiency in English language to present and defend legal arguments, both written and verbal.
• Experience working in multicultural teams, inspiring trust, and fostering a culture of cooperation and openness, with international experience across multiple countries.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to internal and external clients regarding transaction advisory services for PPP projects throughout the project cycle and private sector development initiatives.
• Prepare bidding documents and core project agreements for PPPs and other infrastructure projects.
• Engage in advocacy and capacity development for PPP arrangements and new markets development.
• Help develop policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks within ADB and its DMCs to facilitate, guide, and manage the development of PPPs and new markets.
• Advise operations departments on relevant policies, ADB strategy, and business processes for such operations.
• Assist OMDP on TA operations supporting TAS and other PPP initiatives.
• Procure, engage, and manage external international and local legal counsels supporting PPP projects and TAS mandates.
• Lead in providing legal advice/support for ADB's sovereign operations including loan review, financing structures, legal agreements, due diligence, negotiations, procurement review, and project administration.
• Support TA projects for development, transactional support, and knowledge-building following Strategy 2030 Midterm Review.
• Contribute to ADB policy development on sovereign operations, covering financing, safeguards, financial management, and procurement.
• Support OGC's Law and Policy Reform Program under Strategy 2030 in areas like climate change, gender equity, digital economy, commercial law, judicial capacity, and anti-money laundering.
• Promote policy and law development through TA projects, stakeholder consultations, and capacity-building efforts at bilateral and regional levels.
• Monitor global regulatory changes affecting ADB's climate-related activities.
• Participate in training, conferences, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Prepare knowledge papers and articles on legal issues and OGC priority areas.
• Lead reporting staff with clear guidance, performance monitoring, feedback, and development opportunities.

Skills

Legal Advice

Project Financing

Public Private Partnerships

International Financing Contracts

Contract Negotiation

Infrastructure Development Projects

Legal Analysis

Non-Sovereign Operations

Multilateral Development Institutions

Policy Development

Transaction Advisory

Loan Agreements

Technical Assistance Project Proposals

Legal Drafting

Staff Supervision

English Language Proficiency

Education

Master's Degree in Law

Lawyer admission in an ADB member country

Job description

The Asian Development Bank seeks a Senior Counsel to provide expert legal support for PPP projects, sovereign operations, and policy reform across its operations. The role covers transaction advisory, drafting and negotiating core project agreements, and supervising a legal team in a multinational setting.

Ideal candidates bring extensive infrastructure finance experience, international contract exposure, and strong English proficiency, with a proven track record in multicultural environments.