Senior Social Development Specialist (Safeguards)

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 Energy Division (SEEN) within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). SERD is responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to countries in the Southeast Asian region. SEEN deals with policy development, oversight of strategy implementation, knowledge management, budget management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work and most loan and technical assistance processing and administration in the energy sector.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior Social Development Specialist will lead the processing and implementation of ADB loan/grant financed projects for the energy sector in SERD developing member countries (DMCs) from Headquarters and ensure compliance with ADB’s Safeguards Policy Statement (2009, as updated from time to time), as well as quality and consistency of safeguards documents. The specialist will also monitor, identify, and resolve safeguards issues and trends emerging from SEEN portfolio of projects, arrange for necessary capacity building support to key executing and implementing agencies, and contribute to the energy sector strategy and programming in SERD DMCs. The incumbent will report to Director, SEEN and may supervise one or more National and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

• Leads and 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.
• Leads and facilitates liaison and contact with clients, non-government organizations (NGOs), development partners, and within ADB, including coordinating responses to NGO‘s, and coordinating 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.
• Leads in assisting project team in developing, structuring and monitoring safeguards policy compliance for ADB projects in the region.
• Leads, identifies, monitors and reports to the management on projects with high safeguards sensitivity.
• Identifies and assesses the need 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.
• Leads, develops and administers as needed technical assistance (TA) and other training programs for safeguard capacity building.
• Leads and works with Management and the safeguards team to identify areas of work beyond safeguards that could be catalyzed for new lending products, and to develop projects or programs with a specific country safeguard adoption focus.
• Leads and coordinates the department’s participation in safeguard policy/Operation Manual (OM) review and evaluation.
• Contributes significantly to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building relating to ADB’s safeguard policies.
• 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 environment and gender specialists in both the Headquarters and Resident Missions.

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 10 years of relevant professional experience in environmental and safeguards work, or related area and in project administration
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• International experience working in development in several countries, preferably including in Southeast Asian countries, coordinating and working in multi-disciplinary teams
• 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.