Chief of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Thematic Group concurrently Director

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 senior staff fixed-term appointment for a period of 3 years. This vacancy is open to internal and external applicants.

If the selected candidate is an external hire, the appointment may be extended for a period of up to 3 years per extension, or not renewed. In case of extension, staff may continue in the position for another term of up to 3 years, or be reassigned to any suitable position in ADB.

The same terms and conditions also apply to a selected internal candidate. In addition, if the staff selected has a regular appointment, staff will retain the regular appointment and his/her selection will be considered an assignment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. If the staff selected has a fixed term appointment, his/her appointment will cease, and he/she will be given a new fixed term appointment for an initial term of 3 years.

Fixed-term appointments or assignments are subject to Section 3 of Administrative Order (AO) 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment) and Section 8 of AO 2.03 (Selection, Talent and Position Management) and its Appendices.

Whether the selected candidate is internal or external, and regardless of the type of appointment, any extension of staff beyond age 60 shall be subject to such terms and conditions determined by ADB, including, where relevant, those provided in Section 10 of AO 2.05 (Termination Policy) and its Appendices.

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 Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Division (SDCD) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC). SDCC provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. SDCD is playing the role of secretariat for coordinating the Bank’s efforts in assisting its developing member countries (DMCs) to transition to low-carbon and climate and disaster-resilient development pathways, through, among others, the development of policies and strategies, investment operations support, facilitation of access to finance and provision of knowledge and partnerships.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Chief of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Thematic Group concurrently Director, SDCD leads corporate-level strategic policy development, coordination and monitoring of the ADB’s Climate Change and disaster risk management (DRM) Program as broadly described in the Operational Priority on Tackling Climate Change, building climate and disaster resilience and enhancing environmental sustainability under ADB’s Strategy 2030. He/She serves as ADB’s institutional focal point for climate change and DRM both within ADB and externally and co-leads implementation of Operational Priority 3 on Tackling Climate Change, Building Cimate and Disaster Resilience, and Enhancing Environmental Sustainability.

This will particularly involve (i) ensuring that ADB is in step with new and emerging directions, policies, programs, and technical innovations of relevance to ADB’s work; (ii) providing strategic insights to Management and Senior Staff on key developments on addressing climate change and building resilience, including ADB contributions to the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other relevant regional and global commitments; (iii) enhancing visibility of ADB’s operations and new initiatives through outreach and partnerships; (iv) serving as internal focal point for all strategy and policy matters that cut across climate change mitigation and adaptation including climate financing, and DRM; (v) ensuring that the knowledge on the subject is captured, stored and shared across ADB and is responsive to the needs of ADB operations; and (vi) broadening and deepening ADB staff capacity and skills to mainstream climate change and DRM into operations through training and other capacity building events. The incumbent will report to the Director General (DG), SDCC and will supervise International Staff, National Staff, and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

a. Leadership and strategic management
• Provide strategic inputs and advice to DG SDCC, Management and senior staff on the latest climate change and DRM policies, strategies, programs, and innovations of relevance to ADB’s operations.
• Lead the monitoring and tracking of international and regional policy frameworks for enhancing the response of ADB DMCs to agreements and commitments.
• Coordinate closely with sector and thematic chiefs as well as with operational department climate change focal points to ensure strong uptake of climate change methodological and operational guidance considerations across the operational departments.
• Direct the preparation of assessments of ADB’s Climate Change and DRM Program. This will include, among others, annual status reports on ADB’s implementation of Operational Priority 3 of Strategy 2030 as it relates to Tackling Climate Change and building climate and disaster resilience and the achievements of ADB’s 2030 target for climate operations and financing.

b. Leadership of ADB’s Carbon Market Program
• Lead ADB’s efforts to support DMCs in using carbon pricing to drive systemic change and accelerate their transition to a low-carbon growth trajectory.
• Lead ADB’s efforts to design and establish new instruments for supporting DMCs to use cooperative approaches and new mechanism(s) under article 6 of the Paris Agreement for achieving ambitions articulated under their Nationally Determined Contributions.
• Lead ADB’s efforts to rollout carbon finance and carbon pricing initiatives across the region, including development of domestic ETS in interested DMCs and their interlinking with other national or regional emissions trading systems (ETS).
• Lead ADB’s efforts to a just and affordable transition to net zero.
• Design new trust fund(s) for mobilizing innovative carbon finance to incentivize investments to promote, accelerate, and scale-up application of low greenhouse gas emission technologies in the region.
• Lead ADB’ technical, capacity building and policy development support to DMCs for helping them to identify, develop and pilot mitigation actions, under the framework of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
• Enhance DMCs’ ability to contribute to the design and development of new market mechanism(s) and enhance their preparedness for taking advantage of post-2020 carbon markets and contribute to sustainable development through enhanced mitigation action and the delivery of sustainable development co-benefits.

c. Operational advice and support
• Lead coordination with operational and support departments’ focal points to ensure that knowledge and experience is being diffused throughout ADB and that synergies are built among various parts of ADB in climate change and DRM action. Support DG, SDCC and management team in delivering messages/experience/lessons from other departments.
• Serve as ADB’s focal point for and lead the administration and institutional oversight of ADB’s participation in, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). Serve as ADB’s main representative on the CIF multilateral development bank Committee.
• Represent ADB at the meetings of the Board of Green Climate Fund (GCF) and advise senior management and operations departments of opportunities and modalities for accessing finance from GCF; provide overall direction and supervision to a GCF administration team.
• Lead SDCD in serving as a secretariat for the Climate Change and DRM Funds.
• Provide, on a selective basis, such as during preparation of country partnership strategies with major climate change and DRM elements, direct operational advice to operations departments at a strategic level to ensure that ADB’s overarching objectives on addressing climate change and DRM under Strategy 2030 are being met.
• Lead Operational Priority 3 to strengthen operational alignment with Strategy 2030 and building greater opportunities for cross thematic and sectoral initiatives.

d. Project management
• Lead/support regional technical assistance (TA) projects related to innovative and cross-cutting action as envisaged under Strategy 2030.
• Lead the activities and initiatives of the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Thematic Group and build a vibrant community of practice.
• Lead the development of ADB’s framework for aligning its operations with the Paris Agreement on climate change through guidance to the interdepartmental working group.
• For complex TAs or TAs with high visibility and opportunities for widespread replication, participate in selected missions to monitor implementation progress.
• Develop effective and efficient approaches and modalities and manage the changes necessary to mainstream these new approaches and modalities.

e. External Relations and Outreach
• Serve as institutional focal point for external liaison with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ensure that major stakeholders have access to current and accurate information on implementation of ADB’s initiatives on climate action and disaster resilience.
• Represent ADB at selected external forums and ensure that ADB is aware of and participating in major events regionally and globally.
• Generate support and mobilize additional funding from non-DMCs for development of low-carbon and climate and disaster-resilient investments and practices in DMCs.
• Facilitate partnerships with the private sector, civil society organizations, foundations, and other entities that can work effectively with ADB to support climate change action in DMCs.

f. Internal Relations
• Support the DG, SDCC in relationship management and coordination with the Board, Senior Management and other departments.
• Work closely with other members of the department management team to develop and implement the department strategic plan, to promote and lead cross-sector/thematic teamwork.
• Work closely with Sector and Thematic Group Chiefs, Thematic Committees, and Operations DGs to identify areas for cooperation and maintain close coordination and collaboration on operational thematic knowledge solutions.

g. Knowledge sharing
• Coordinate ADB-wide production of knowledge products in line with a corporate-wide framework for strategic production of knowledge in close collaboration with operations and support departments and other sector and thematic groups.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training programs and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination, and capacity building.
• Internally, ensure that ADB’s climate change and DRM activities and experiences are made known widely across the institution by promoting regular networking among ADB departments/units, and by preparing/creating/maintaining central databases, websites, status reports, and other media that are readily accessible and used by ADB staff.

h. Staff Supervision and SDCD management
• Create, and where appropriate lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of their work.
• Manage the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their on-going learning and development.
• Lead the effective day-to-day operations and provide guidance on operational issues and ADB policies
• Inform and provide recommendations to DG, SDCC of significant developments, emerging opportunities and challenges in area of responsibility.
• Manage budget and resource allocation for the division.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in economics, energy/environmental/civil engineering, environmental economics, environmental policy, or other related fields. University degree in economics, energy/environmental/civil engineering, environmental economics, environmental policy, or other related fields combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in climate change mitigation/adaptation/DRM policy, strategy, and operations work, or related environmental/sustainable development work
• Understanding of climate change negotiation history, global sustainability frameworks and concepts of green development, and country policy positions
• Understanding of climate change mitigation, adaptation, DRM issues in a development context
• Understanding of multilateral policy institutions and their strategic objectives on climate change and DRM
• Knowledge of DMC policy and regulatory frameworks for development
• Strong multi-disciplinary competence and experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams. Has proven management capability and well-established leadership track record in international institutions
• Has a strong track record of being a proven team player and open to new initiatives.
• Possesses cumulative knowledge, experience and fundamental understanding of diverse concepts, principles and practices, and able to share knowledge to benefit the ADB and the wider international community
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS7-8

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.