Advisor, ITD and Head, Technology Strategy and Engineering Unit

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 of Advisor, ITD and Head, Technology Strategy and Engineering Unit will be assigned to the Office of the Director General (Chief Information Officer) of the Information Technology Department (ITD) of ADB and will lead the Technology Strategy and Engineering Unit (ITOD-TSEU). 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 Director General, ITD and will oversee assigned Technical International and Local Staff.

Your Role
As an Advisor, ITD and Head, Technology Strategy and Engineering Unit, you will enable teams to deliver innovative solutions efficiently. Your focus areas include: (i) providing technical leadership, strategy, and road maps; (ii) establishing standards and well-architected frameworks; (iii) building robust and scalable platforms; and (iv) driving technical excellence through a user-centric approach.

As the chief technologist, you will provide technical guidance across ITD units, including product delivery, information security, infrastructure, innovation, and data.

You will:

Strategy & Roadmap

• Partner with ITD's Leadership Team to shape, execute, and continuously refine the technology strategy, roadmap, and vision.
• Conduct business impact analyses, establish technology governance, and oversee the adoption and enforcement of technology standards.
• Advocate user-centric design, enabling product teams to deliver solutions.
• Provide visible leadership for the unit by setting strategic direction, aligning teams around shared priorities, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and delivery of the technology strategy and roadmap.

Technical Excellence

• Provide expert technical input into strategic decisions and reviews across design, architecture, development, implementation, and operations.
• Define well-architected frameworks that integrate core principles and best practices to deliver secure and high-performing solutions.
• Enhance developer experience by building automated platforms and integrated tool chains that streamline workflows and reduce cognitive load.
• Lead technical reviews, including code reviews, system design assessments, and complex debugging.
• Develop high-quality, maintainable code to set an example of engineering excellence and mentor product team engineers on coding standards and design patterns.
• Provide expert technical direction and mentorship when product teams encounter challenging technical problems or roadblocks.
• Act as the primary point of escalation for critical technical issues, helping teams evaluate options and mitigate risks effectively.

Innovation Culture

• Drive innovation by staying up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Oversee innovation governance and build strategic partnerships with technology and solution providers.
• Lead initiatives that foster a culture of innovation, encouraging experimentation and the exploration of new technologies to enhance value.
• Create and lead diverse teams and ensure the quality of their work. Promote a continuous learning environment, strengthening ITD's technical capabilities through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and training.

You will need:

• Master's degree in computer science or relevant fields. Alternatively, a university degree and at least 10 years of specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in multiple IT disciplines such as (infrastructure & operations, enterprise architecture, application development, platform engineering, information security).
• International experience working in several countries
• Knowledge in both traditional and cloud-native infrastructure, architecture, and design.
• Strong understanding of modern technologies, best practices, and how to apply them to drive value.
• Rapidly comprehend the capabilities of new technologies and their potential impact.
• Exceptional coding proficiency, with the ability to design, build, and review high-quality, secure, and scalable code across multiple programming languages or frameworks.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and practices.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, client orientation and people management skills
• Capability to motivate and lead teams in a multicultural environment.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Managerial Grade 1

Benefits
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)
• Retirement plan (if applicable)
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information
This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional fixed term period of up to 3 years or allow it to expire. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB’s medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff’s skills to those plans, and the staff’s managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff’s NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff’s NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

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.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB wants to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.