Senior Specialist – Regional Cooperation

Position description

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is Financing Infrastructure for Tomorrow in Asia and beyond—infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in 2016 and have since grown to 110 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and AAA-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Collaborating with partners, AIIB meets clients’ needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity.

The Sectors, Themes and Finance Solutions Department (STF) plays a pivotal role in advancing technical excellence and expanding the Bank’s financing knowledge across all sectors and themes to support both sovereign and non-sovereign investment operations. STF spearheads the development of innovative investment projects and leads the introduction of new products and financing modalities, often ahead of their mainstream adoption by the Client Departments (CDs). It provides forward-looking strategic guidance by conducting upstream work to incubate new initiatives in frontier technologies and public-private partnership advisory, ensuring that AIIB’s operations align with its corporate strategy and sectoral/thematic priorities. STF also guides implementation of the Bank’s strategy by setting thematic priorities such as green infrastructure, technology-enabled infrastructure, private capital mobilization (PCM), and cross-border cooperation. In addition, STF supports AIIB’s efforts on cross-cutting themes, including climate, gender, inclusivity, and nature. STF is at the forefront of introducing and operationalizing new financial products and modalities before their mainstream adoption by the CDs.

STF represents AIIB in international forums to address sectoral, thematic, and financing issues. Through active networking with other development partners, it reinforces AIIB’s reputation as a premier development institution contributing to the global development agenda.

To advance AIIB’s strategic objective of strengthening regional cooperation and connectivity, STF is recruiting a Senior Specialist – Regional Cooperation. This role will focus on developing and supporting cross-border infrastructure initiatives and regional programs that enhance connectivity among AIIB members. The Senior Specialist will provide expert advisory services to CDs’ investment teams and government counterparts, ensuring that projects capitalize on opportunities for regional economic integration, trade facilitation, and transboundary infrastructure development. Working closely with internal sector specialists and external partners, the Senior Specialist will help expand AIIB’s portfolio of regional projects and contribute to analytical work that informs policies and strategies on regional cooperation.

The Senior Specialist will provide technical expertise and advisory support to AIIB’s CDs to ensure that projects and new initiatives align with AIIB’s mandate with respect to enhancing cross-border connectivity and generating regional development impact. The Senior Specialist will help demonstrate the value of regional approaches through pilot initiatives when needed and support project teams in preparing and implementing multi-country investments.

Responsibilities: 

• Advisory to Project Teams: Advise and support project teams on structuring investment operations to strengthen regional connectivity, aligning projects with national development priorities and AIIB’s strategic objectives while ensuring smooth project processing and implementation.
• Client Support and Analysis: Advise clients on the preparation of project feasibility studies, sector analyses, and other analytical work for proposed cross-border infrastructure projects, helping to ensure high-quality design and alignment with regional cooperation goals.
• Policy and Regulatory Review: Review and analyze clients’ policy and regulatory frameworks related to regional infrastructure connectivity (e.g., cross-border trade, transit agreements, energy exchange protocols), identify gaps or constraints, and formulate time-bound policy actions or reforms that could be supported through AIIB operations or technical assistance.
• Strategic Dialogue: Participate in strategic dialogues with member governments, co-financing partners, and other stakeholders to identify business opportunities that enhance project design and outcomes and to advocate for policy reforms that facilitate trade and promote regional economic integration.
• Partnerships and Co-financing: Foster partnerships with other multilateral development banks, regional organizations, and government agencies to leverage collective expertise and co-finance cross-border projects, ensuring coordinated efforts in the implementation of regional cooperation initiatives.
• Knowledge and Innovation: Lead the development and dissemination of knowledge products (e.g., policy studies, case analyses) and organize knowledge-sharing events on the theme of cross-border connectivity and regional cooperation, capturing lessons learned and best practices to inform AIIB’s operations and strategic initiatives

Requirements: 

• Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, international development, public policy, engineering, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in regional cooperation and integration, infrastructure project development and implementation, and/or related fields. Experience working across multiple countries and exposure to multilateral development institutions is highly desirable.
• In-depth understanding of one or more key infrastructure sectors, such as transport, energy, or digital connectivity, and familiarity with issues in regional economic integration, e.g., trade facilitation, cross-border regulatory frameworks, and economic corridor development.
• Proven track record of engaging in high-level policy dialogue with government authorities on regional cooperation initiatives or reforms, demonstrating the ability to provide actionable policy advice in multi-country settings.
• Experience in processing and implementing development projects in emerging economies. Experience with policy-based financing or other programmatic financing instruments for integration and trade facilitation is an advantage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with government clients, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work constructively in a multicultural environment and to contribute effectively as a team member on multidisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required. Proficiency in other major languages (e.g., French, Russian, Spanish) is an advantage.

AIIB is committed to diversity, transparency, and inclusion. We believe our strength comes from having a team with the right diverse skills, experiences, and abilities selected through a merit-based competitive process. We actively encourage applications from people from both within and outside AIIB members, regardless of nationality, religion, gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation.

Previous experience and qualifications will determine the grade and job title at which successful applicants will enter AIIB.

Join us and help create a prosperous and sustainable Asia while growing your career in a diverse and innovative environment.

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