Safeguards Specialist (Resettlement)

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.

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 Urban Development and Water Division (SEUW) within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). SERD is responsible for maintaining client orientation and delivering ADB assistance to countries in Southeast Asian region. SEUW supports policy development, knowledge management, budget management, project quality assurance, sector analytical work and loan and technical assistance (TA) processing, and administration in the urban development and water sectors, specifically, urban and rural water supply services; urban and rural sanitation and wastewater management; climate change and urban resilience; and urban planning, development and management.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Safeguards Specialist (Resettlement) will support the implementation of ADB’s safeguards policy for SERD, coordinate safeguards activities during preparation and implementation of ADB projects in SERD Developing Member Countries (DMCs), in cooperation with national officers, and ensure compliance with ADB safeguards policy, as well as quality and consistency of safeguards documents. This position will also monitor and report on the status of safeguard policy compliance for ADB projects in the region, coordinate safeguard-related activities, and support regional safeguards activities covering assigned SERD developing member DMCs. The incumbent is expected to lead assessment of Country Safeguards Systems Review in SERD DMCs including with respect to potential use of results-based lending modality, contribute to the country safeguards assessment as part of CPS process for SERD countries, and contribute to the evaluation, improvement, and dissemination of ADB’s safeguard policy. The incumbent will report to Director, SEUW for technical, policy-related and operational aspects. He/she will supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the preparation of a strategic framework and SEUW work plan to build and sustain effectiveness in addressing safeguard issues under ADB projects in the region.
• Facilitates liaison and contact with clients, non-government organizations (NGOs), private sector companies/consultants and external/third parties engaged in ADB projects, development partners, and within ADB, including coordinating responses to NGOs, and coordinates with donors on safeguards in the region.
• Oversees public information and disclosure initiatives on safeguards and coordination with project grievance mechanisms for ADB projects in the region. Works with respective field offices and resident missions in the region to ensure efficient functioning of the Project Complaint Tracking mechanism as needed.
• Assists project teams in developing, structuring and monitoring safeguards policy compliance for ADB projects in the region.
• Identifies, monitors and reports to the management on projects with high safeguards sensitivity as well as flags and suggests areas requiring higher level dialogue with clients in the region to ensure greater safeguards implementation compliance.
• Identifies and assesses needs for capacity building on safeguards within ADB clients and field teams in the region, and leads, assists in, and monitors the efforts toward that goal.
• Develops and administers as needed TA and other training programs for safeguard capacity building.
• Works with Management and the safeguards team to identify areas of work beyond safeguards that could be catalyzed for new lending products, to streamline data collection, consistency and reliability by introducing digitization of processes where feasible, and to develop projects or programs with a specific country safeguard adoption focus.
• Contributes to the department’s participation in safeguard policy/Operations Manual review and evaluation based on lessons learned and recommendations generated from preparation, implementation and evaluation of safeguards compliance in the SEUW projects in the region.
• Contributes to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building relating to ADB’s safeguard policies.
• Performs other tasks as required and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree in, or equivalent, in Anthropology, Sociology, Applied Social Science, Environmental Science, or other related fields. Alternatively, university degree in related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in safeguards work, or related area and in project administration.
• Experience in the operations of ADB or similar MDBs will be strongly preferred.
• International experience working in development in several countries, coordinating and working in multi-disciplinary teams is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff level 4.

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.