Experts Pool: Senior Social Protection and Jobs Specialist

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Close relatives¹ of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

This is a special fixed-term appointment for a period of three (3) years following Section 3.1 (c.) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. It may be extended on exceptional basis for a further fixed period at the option of ADB. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

If the successful candidate is an ADB staff member holding a regular appointment, his/her regular appointment will be converted to a special fixed-term appointment. A special fixed-term appointment will automatically and without prior notice expire at the end of the term.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

The position is assigned in the Social Development Thematic Group (SDTG) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department. The Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. SDTG leads the Bank’s work on social development and the corporate operational priority on addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequality. Key focus areas include social development, social protection and jobs. The team’s work addresses the growing need for innovative policies, strengthened institutions, and investments to lead the region to a more inclusive and resilient future and supports ADB’s operational departments to develop and implement effective projects and integrate poverty and social dimensions into the broader portfolio of projects.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior Social Protection and Jobs Specialist will contribute to ADB’s corporate Strategy 2030’s enhanced focus on addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities in the region, especially to helping ADB ensure an inclusive recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic in the region. The Specialist will work with the SDTG and operational priority 1 teams to develop an ADB platform and framework for action on jobs across the institution. The platform will serve to (i) accelerate knowledge on effective labor market policies and programs, especially in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the structural changes in the labor market, (ii) build capacity of ADB developing member country staff and, (iii) provide technical support to the design, implementation and monitoring of ADB projects and technical assistance programs. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the SDTG and will supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

Under Strategy 2030, ADB will sustain its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and expand its vision to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. Under the first operational priority, ADB is committed to addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities in the region. One of the pillars to achieve this goal is to help facilitate quality job creation and to support access to better jobs for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. This position will support the development of the jobs agenda within ADB, provide relevant operational support, and to enhance the knowledge and skills of ADB staff.

The Specialist will:
• Support the development of a jobs platform and working group in ADB, bringing together the work on jobs and economic inclusion across the institution and developing clear institutional strategies for strengthening approaches and developing knowledge. This will include developing a definition for quality jobs and job promotion in the context of ADB operations, tools to measure and monitor quality job creation, supporting the development and piloting of a diagnostics tools, and of knowledge products such as job diagnostics country reports;
• Prepare and/or guide studies on disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, policy responses put in place by governments and policy responses and actions needed during the transition phase and recovery phase, affecting the labor market and the most vulnerable sections of the population;
• Advise and provide technical inputs to country teams, regional departments, developing member country (DMC) partners and team leaders on effective labor market policies and program design to support the post-pandemic transition and recovery phases. Improve staff and DMC capacity and the quality of design and implementation by assisting 2-4 projects per year;
• Promote innovation and good practice, drawing on international experience and lessons learned;
• Advise and author knowledge products on the impacts of ongoing structural changes (technological advances, demographic changes, climate change and migration) on the labor market policies and programs, responsive to shocks and the changing needs of the labor market, contribute to capacity development in developing member countries, and represent ADB at external events;
• Connect ADB operational staff and DMC governments to global and regional communities, including centers of excellence, working on economic inclusion and jobs;
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of capacity development resources for ADB staff on topics related to generating quality jobs, innovations in training and skills programs, and COVID-19 impacts and effective responses.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• At least a Master’s degree in labor economics, social protection or relevant fields. Alternatively, university degree in related fields combined with additional relevant professional experience can be considered;
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, including international work experience, in labor market analysis including in the design and implementation of jobs strategies and solutions;
• Strong understanding of government institutions, labor market programs, public financial management, with specific firsthand experience on engaging with governments in developing countries, preferably in Asia and the Pacific;
• In-depth knowledge of active and passive labor market programs, skills development and training approaches, youth employment, and areas such as green jobs and just transition strategies and related international experience;
• Strong understanding of the broader quality jobs agenda and of initiatives among other international agencies;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required;
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS5.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

ADB seeks 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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.