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 Transport and Communications (SETC) Division within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). SERD is responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Southeast Asian region. SETC is responsible for policy dialogue, portfolio development, oversight of execution strategy, knowledge management, budget management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work and most loan and technical assistance processing and administration in the transport sector. Tasks include infrastructure development, operations and management of roads, railways, urban transport, ports, airports, and multimodal transport; regional cooperation and integration; safety and security; environment management; and energy efficiency; among others.

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 the safeguards activities of ADB projects in SERD Developing Member Countries (DMCs) in both the preparation and implementation stage, and ensure their compliance with ADB’s safeguards policy. He/she will also contribute to the country safeguards assessment in the assigned DMCs, support regional safeguards activities and provide input to Bank-wide safeguards related activities such as evaluation of ADB’s safeguards policy. The incumbent will report to Director, SETC and will supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the preparation of a strategic framework and 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), development partners, and within ADB, including coordinating responses to NGOs, and coordinating with donors on safeguards in the region.
• Together with the rest of the social safeguards team, contributes to the public information and disclosure initiatives on safeguards and coordination with project grievance mechanisms for ADB projects in the region.
• Assists project team 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.
• 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.
• Oversees and monitors social safeguards under technical assistance and loan projects in ensuring safeguard compliance.
• Identifies opportunities for ADB assistance aimed at operationalizing policies on social safeguards, gender and other social dimensions.
• Participates in and contributes to internal and external training and conferences on social safeguards and social development as well as to other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
• Develops and administers as needed technical assistance (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 new lending products, and to develop projects or programs with a specific country safeguard adoption focus.
• Coordinates the department’s participation in safeguard policy/Operation Manual (OM) review and evaluation.
• Contributes to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building relating to ADB’s safeguard policies.
• Provides leadership and support to reporting staff and supervises their performance by providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Ensures the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.
• Substantially contribute to a One ADB approach, coordinating very closely with relevant ADB staff and consultants across expertise and business units, including but not limited to transport and gender specialists in both the Headquarters and Resident Missions.
• Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Anthropology, Sociology, Applied Social Science, Environmental Science, or other related fields. Alternatively, university degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience in safeguards work (social development, social impact assessment, involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples safeguards work), or related area and in project administration.
• Experience in the safeguards operations in ADB or comparable Multilateral Development Banks is strongly preferred.
• Experience in the safeguards operations in the transport sector is an advantage.
• Experience in the safeguards operations in Southeast Asia or any comparable region in Asia Pacific is an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 3/4.

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.