About me
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to apply for Project Officer or Project Coordinator opportunities within your organisation. I bring over 24 years of experience supporting and administering large‑scale, multi‑sector government and donor‑funded programs, with strong expertise in program coordination, PMO‑style governance, procurement support, financial management, risk control, and executive reporting. My experience has been gained primarily through long‑term service with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and close collaboration with central government and sub‑national agencies.
For more than 13 years, I have supported delivery of complex sovereign portfolios exceeding USD 1 billion across health systems, higher education and skills, local government services, water and urban infrastructure, social protection, and emergency response programs in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. I have worked across the full project lifecycle, coordinating planning, safeguards, procurement, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and completion activities across multiple concurrent projects.
I bring strong capability in PMO‑style delivery controls, including maintaining integrated workplans, schedules, action and decision trackers, RAID logs, and portfolio dashboards. I have supported procurement and contract administration activities, including bid documentation, evaluation processes, consultant engagement, and contract performance monitoring, while also tracking budgets, forecasts, disbursements, and audit processes to support financial compliance and delivery assurance.
A key strength of my work is operating effectively in politically sensitive and high‑risk environments. I have coordinated closely with line ministries, provincial and local governments, universities, hospitals, development partners, consultants, and contractors. My role has frequently involved managing social safeguards and ESG compliance, including involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples planning, land acquisition, GESI integration, and grievance redress mechanisms, in line with the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) and public‑sector accountability requirements.
I am also highly experienced in executive and donor reporting, having led or coordinated preparation of management briefs, Back‑to‑Office Reports (BTORs), aide‑memoires, PCR inputs, and quarterly and annual compliance reports. I consistently achieved 100% on‑time submission of 45+ annual reports, strengthening governance, audit readiness, and informed decision‑making. In addition, I supported improvements in monitoring and reporting systems that increased portfolio reporting efficiency by approximately 40%.
My technical foundation is supported by an MBA in Project Management, ADB procurement accreditation, and practical application of PRINCE2 and PMBOK principles, alongside hands‑on use of MS Project, advanced Excel, Power BI, and collaborative digital platforms. I am comfortable managing multiple priorities, coordinating across agencies, and delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based outputs within tight timeframes.
I am motivated to apply my skills within the Australian public sector, DFAT‑aligned programs, or large infrastructure and service‑delivery organisations, where strong governance, effective coordination, and community‑focused outcomes are critical. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience could add value to your team.
Yours sincerely,
Herathbanda Jayasundara
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results‑driven Project and Program Coordinator with over 24 years of experience supporting and administering large‑scale, multi‑sector government and donor‑funded programs across health, education, local government, infrastructure, and social protection, primarily within Asian Development Bank (ADB)–financed portfolios and central government agencies.
Senior program and project administrator with strong capability in PMO‑style governance, portfolio coordination, procurement support, financial management, risk control, and performance reporting across complex, politically sensitive programs exceeding USD 400 million. Proven track record in providing high‑quality executive reporting and operational advice, strengthening governance and assurance, and ensuring compliance with ADB SPS 2009, DFAT, ESG, Defence‑related, and public‑sector accountability frameworks through the practical application of PRINCE2 and PMBOK principles in multi‑agency environments.
KEY SKILLS
- Program and Project Coordination & PMO Support
- Project Governance, Assurance, and Executive Reporting
- Procurement & Contract Administration
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement &Inter Agency Coordination
- Risk, Issues & Change Management (RAID)
- Data Analysis &Portfolio Performance Reporting
- Executive Briefing & Documentation
- MS Project, Advanced Excel, Power BI
- Involuntary & Voluntary Resettlement
- Indigenous Peoples Planning
- Community Empowerment and Vulnerable Groups Programming
- Result Based Lending and Performance Monitoring
- Public Consultation and Social Safeguards (IR, IP, GESI)
- Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka & MaldivesSenior / Principal / Social Development Officer - 2013 – Present
- Supported delivery and administration of multi‑sector ADB sovereign portfolios exceeding USD 1 billion across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, ensuring consistent performance and donor compliance.
- Provided social development and safeguards coordination across flagship programs in health systems, COVID‑19 vaccination recovery (APVAX), higher education, local government, and food security.
- Coordinated nationwide emergency food security and livelihood recovery programs targeting poor and vulnerable households, with specific focus on women and children.
- Designed and supported a Graduation / Empowerment Program benefiting approximately 13,000 households across 13 districts, integrating livelihoods, financial inclusion, psychosocial empowerment, and coaching.
- Achieved 100% on‑time submission of 45+ annual donor, safeguards, and portfolio reports, strengthening audit readiness and program assurance.
- Improved portfolio monitoring and reporting efficiency by approximately 40% through streamlined tracking tools and dashboards.
- Strengthened financial governance and expenditure monitoring, contributing to improved budget control and overall portfolio performance.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Supported delivery and administration of multi‑sector ADB sovereign portfolios exceeding USD 1 billion across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, ensuring consistent performance and donor compliance.
- Provided social development and safeguards coordination across flagship programs in health systems, COVID‑19 vaccination recovery (APVAX), higher education, local government, and food security.
- Coordinated nationwide emergency food security and livelihood recovery programs targeting poor and vulnerable households, with specific focus on women and children.
- Designed and supported a Graduation / Empowerment Program benefiting approximately 13,000 households across 13 districts, integrating livelihoods, financial inclusion, psychosocial empowerment, and coaching.
- Achieved 100% on‑time submission of 45+ annual donor, safeguards, and portfolio reports, strengthening audit readiness and program assurance.
- Improved portfolio monitoring and reporting efficiency by approximately 40% through streamlined tracking tools and dashboards.
- Strengthened financial governance and expenditure monitoring, contributing to improved budget control and overall portfolio performance.
SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Consultant – General Management
2009 – 2013
- Led organisational strengthening and process improvement initiatives for local authorities and provincial councils
- Designed and delivered capacity building and governance training programs for local government institutions
INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH POLICY
Research Analyst
2005 – 2008
- Conducted policy level health system research supporting national reforms
- Managed field surveys, quantitative analysis, and data sets using (SPSS, STATA)
GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA
Program & Administrative Roles
2000 – 2005
- Supported national program implementation, large scale household surveys, and inter ministerial coordination.
- Assisted with logistics, budgeting, reporting, and stakeholder consultations.
EDUCATION
- MBA (Project Management) – University of Moratuwa
- Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development – University of Colombo
- BA (Hons) Social Statistics – University of Kelaniya
CERTIFICATIONS
Program & Administrative Roles
2000 – 2005
- ADB Procurement Accreditation Skills Scheme (2020)
- Agile Project Management with Jira – PMI‑Authorised Training
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- MS Project | Advanced Excel | Power BI
- SPSS | STATA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Extensive experience with ADB DMFs, PCRs, TCRs, safeguards reports, and portfolio reviews.
Referees available upon request
I declare that the information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge