Social Development 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.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Social Development Specialist is responsible for identifying, developing, implementing and administering loans, technical assistance (TA) projects, and knowledge products and services in social sectors including education, health, social protection and gender in PDMCs. The position will work within ADB’s broad corporate policies and objectives, working directly with clients, and colleagues working as part of teams. The incumbent will report to Director, PASP and will supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development of social sector policy and strategies in PDMCs with relevant government agencies, meeting social challenges at national and local levels, as well as innovative programs that would accelerate achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
• Undertakes policy dialogue with governments and other donor organizations on social sector development areas, including in gender, health, education and social protection; promotes efficient use of resources and encourages participatory approaches to development planning, financing and sustainability.
• Participates in country teams and provide sector and gender inputs for Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and Country Operations Business Plan.
• Conducts thematic work around the areas of social development in the context of sustainable inclusive economic development, gender equality and poverty reduction.
• Liaises and coordinates with development agencies and supports social sector operations and gender operations of ADB in upstream portfolio development work, including targeted sector assessments, diagnostics and roadmaps.
• When assigned, leads the development, processing, and administration of loan and grant projects, technical assistance, and preparation of knowledge products in the social sector in the Pacific region, in coordination with PASP staff working in these areas.
• Identifies, reviews and evaluates social sector projects, possibly involving moderate to high levels of risks and complexity, as well as recommends appropriate sector plans and strategies for long-term and sustainable sector engagement.
• Supports the social development specialist (gender and development) on the development, processing, administration and evaluation of gender-related loan and grant projects, technical assistance and preparation of gender related knowledge products in the Pacific region.
• Ensures key social development, poverty reduction and gender dimensions are incorporated into projects.
• Develops and maintains a suitable network in the social sectors to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues.
• Supports ADB-wide knowledge management initiatives, and participates in ADB-wide knowledge networks, with respect to social sector developments.
• Attends conferences and meetings on social sector development and/or gender in the Pacific and shares ADB experience; disseminates external knowledge back in ADB.
• Liaises with Sustainable Development and Climate Change Division (SDCC) on social development and poverty reduction issues.
• Takes the role of mission leader for selected projects/TAs and supervises the work of mission members and ensures the overall high quality of outputs and reports.

• Supervises the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance, and ensures the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Education, Health, Anthropology, Sociology, Applied Social Science or related field. University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in social development, including project administration and research.
• Experience in application of multilateral development bank’s policies and procedures for social development.
• International experience working in development in several countries, preferably with demonstrated experience at the field level in the Pacific region.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is 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.