Senior Health 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.

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 Human and Social Development Division (SEHS) within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). SERD is responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Southeast Asian region. SEHS leads policy dialogue, lending and non-lending operations, and sector analytic work in education, health and social protection.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior Health Specialist will identify, develop, implement and administer loans, technical assistances (TAs), and non-lending products and services in the areas of health sector in line with ADB’s Strategy 2030 and the needs to respond especially to the COVID-19 outbreak. This position will undertake policy dialogue, promote best practices and innovations for strengthening health programs and projects, undertake relevant sector and thematic studies, and participate in COVID-19 emergency assistance programs. The incumbent will report to the Director of SEHS and may supervise one or more National and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

• Extensively drives and supports the development of health sector projects including emergency assistance programs related to COVID-19. These will be conducted in consultation with relevant government agencies and Resident Missions (RMs).
• Leads and/or participates in missions responsible for the identification, preparation, appraisal and administration of programs and projects in the health sector and ensures key technical, economic, financial and safeguard issues are incorporated into project and program design in coordination with other Departments to ensure full compliance of ADB policies and procedures.
• Conducts dialogue with government officials of developing member countries (DMCs) and develops health sector projects that meet the requirements of DMCs within the Southeast Asia region.
• Guides and coordinates with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of project design and practices in the health sector.
• Oversees the design and administration of regional cooperation activities (including emergency assistance at the sub-regional level), including conducting dialogue with national governments, regional organizations, bilateral donors, nongovernment organizations and other development partners.
• Leads discussion with other development partners for co-financing, and with private sector stakeholders for public-private sector partnerships.
• Leads discussions with Governments and identifies investment opportunities in the health sector, increasing access to health assistance for the poor.
• Leads and conducts economic, thematic and sector work related to policy, legal and regulatory as well as institutional framework for the health sector in the context of sustainable economic development and eradicating extreme poverty
• Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Financing, Economics (preferably with specialization in Health Economics), or other related fields. University degree in Economics (preferably with specialization in Health Economics), Health or other related fields, and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in the health sector project design and administration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required
• International experience working in development in several countries, with substantial experience in the health sector in Asia and the Pacific
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5

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.