Unit Head, NGOC

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 Nongovernment Organizations and Civil Society Center (NGOC) of the Thematic Advisory Service Cluster (SDTC) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC). SDCC provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. SDTC is responsible for providing knowledge and operations support on thematic areas including emerging issues in ADB developing member countries (DMCs) that are linked to vulnerability, poverty and inequality. NGOC develops strategic alliances between ADB and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and builds ADB’s institutional capacity for productive collaboration with CSOs.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Unit Head, NGOC shall oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of ADB’s overall engagement with CSOs. Manage the NGOC work plan in support of SDTC, SDCC and ADB goals. Oversee the quality of work and ensure the achievement of NGOC objectives. Lead and support NGOC external and internal relations, communications, coordination, and consultation initiatives. Utilize NGOC’s collective experience, knowledge, and contacts to support consultation and participation in ADB operations, including cooperation and dialogue with CSOs. The incumbent will report to Chief Thematic Officer, SDTC and will supervise International, National, and Administrative Staff

Responsibilities

A. Strategy and Planning

• Building from ADB Strategy 2030 and the Operational Priorities Framework, lead, plan, establish, direct, and cascade NGOC’s vision, goals, strategies, and key results areas in support of ADB, SDCC, and SDTC goals, and in compliance with ADB policies.
• Work closely with other members of the SDCC management team and One ADB team, develop and implement the transformative CSO engagement agenda. Lead and promote the cross-cutting role that CSOs can play in better integrating sectors and themes in ADB strategy, plans, and project development. Provide input to sector and country strategies and policies, knowledge products and initiatives to ensure CSO participation for development effectiveness is met. Oversee the planning, implementation, and supervision of work plans, as well as the quality of output and achievement of the NGOC’s long-term goals and annual objectives.
• Conceptualize new or innovative approaches to working with CSOs and conducting participatory development including across the service delivery and advocacy space.
• Oversee and guide the implementation and monitoring of ADB’s Policy on Cooperation with Nongovernment Organizations and prepare and implement action plans on ADB-CSO cooperation.
• Oversee planning of financial resources required to sustain program delivery over the medium term.

B. Portfolio/Project Management

• Oversee the development, processing, and administration of NGOC technical assistance (TA), grants, and special initiatives, including the progress reporting of TA implementation, and desired impacts.
• Lead in identifying opportunities for strengthening the participatory aspects of ADB-assisted activities, and for improving ADB-CSO cooperation and dialogue.
• Provide advice and information on stakeholder engagement and CSO relations in ADB policies, country partnership strategies, country programming, programs, projects, and supporting its implementation.
• Ensure proper coordination of the network of NGO/Civil Society Anchors in regional departments, including resident missions, and provide guidance and technical support.

C. Strategy Consultation and operational Collaboration

• Lead overall strategic engagement and relationship management with CSOs, through information sharing, policy dialogue, strategic consultation, operational collaboration, and institutional partnerships.
• Lead policy dialogue and build up institutional partnerships with CSOs by involving them strategically in ADB policy and operational plan formulation, ADB funded projects to address new emerging needs of DMCs in Asia and the Pacific.
• Represent SDCC management, as required, at the technical and practitioner level at the internal and external meetings with other development partners, project affected people, government officers and CSOs.
• Oversee effective relationship management with CSOs, including leading the civil society engagement forum at ADB annual meetings, townhall with the President of ADB, and the civil society forum on key policy dialogue sessions organized by ADB or CSOs.
• Oversee effective relationship management and coordination with the Board, Senior Management and other departments in CSO roundtable dialogue.
• Proactively interact with CSOs, oversee the development and dissemination of good practice in relation to CSO consultation and participation in programs and projects.
• Work closely with other ADB staff including across Operations Departments to ensure demand-driven initiatives are regularly addressed, investigate issues and situations that may be raised by civil society, and carry out respective mediation and conflict resolution activities with CSOs.
• Continuously inform ADB management of significant development, emergency opportunities and challenges in engaging CSOs in fragile and conflict affected countries.
• Lead and build internal and external capacity of increasing CSO involvement in the design and implementation of projects, particularly on the use of grassroots participatory approaches to help poor and vulnerable groups, and develop other activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building.

D. Team Management

• Oversee effective day-to-day operations and provide guidance on operational issues and ADB policies.
• Inform and provide recommendations to Chief Thematic Officer, SDTC, and DG, SDCC on significant developments, and emerging opportunities and challenges in area of responsibility.
• Oversee and facilitate effective NGOC coordination and cooperation with the rest of the division, and with other ADB departments and offices.
• Manage NGOC budget and resource allocation.

E. Staff Supervision

• Create and lead multi-disciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of its work.
• Actively supervise the performance of teams and individuals in NGOC, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Undertake the performance management of other staff in NGOC, including motivation of staff and handling of staff management issues.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their ongoing learning and development.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in international development, public policy, social development, environment management or other related fields; or University degree in international development, public policy, social development or other related fields .
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in project processing and administration in different sectors, preferably with comprehensive understanding of, and significant exposure to, NGOs and civil society organizations
• Proven leadership qualities. Excellent knowledge and experience of technical and social development issues of CSO engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, methodological and IT skills at the level corresponding for the role is required.
• Negotiation, persuasion and influence skills in internal and external engagement activities to deliver the ADB objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and effective communication skills in dealing with challenging counterparties and complex issues.
• Leading multi-disciplinary teams, strong coaching abilities to assist team members and consultants in development and execution of development activities.
• Proven track record in leading policy dialogue, project design and management.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS6

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.