Reference Number: 230531

Position Level: IS 3/4

Department: Office of Safeguards

Division: Office of Safeguards

Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters

Date Posted: Thursday, August 31, 2023

Closing Date: Thursday, September 14, 2023 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

•  Effective 1 September 2023, ADB will introduce renewability for Special Fixed Term Appointment.
•  After the initial fixed period, ADB has the option to renew the appointment for up to three years or allow it to expire.
•  This decision is based on ADB’s overall interest in retaining the skills and experience of the staff for medium-term work program within the respective group, department, or office, while considering the availability of funding sources.
•  Consequently, the term Special Fixed Term Appointment will change to Fixed Term Appointment with Option to Renew.
•  Furthermore, staff members who are currently under regular appointments but will transition to this position on or after 1 September 2023 will retain their regular appointment status.

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 Office of Safeguards (OSFG) established to implement and monitor ADB safeguards policy and procedures. It advises and supports ADB management, operational departments, and relevant parties including borrowers/clients in delivering development solutions in compliance with ADB’s safeguards policy. The Office of Safeguards has four teams: (i) Policy and Technical Services, (ii) Regional Operations Services 1, (iii) Regional Operations Services 2, and (iv) Private Sector/Pacific Operations Services.

The Social Development Specialist (Safeguards) will be initially assigned in the Regional Operations Services 1 (OSR1) team within OSFG. OSR1 provides policy oversight and technical guidance, and training and capacity support to ADB operations and ADB clients in Central and West, and East Asia Regions on the implementation of the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS). Team affiliation within the OSFG might change in the future depending on the work program needs.To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Social Development Specialist (Safeguards) will lead and coordinate the planning and development of ADB’s safeguards policies on the Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. The incumbent will lead and provide operational coordination and specific inputs to ADB projects to ensure compliance with social safeguards policies during project preparation and implementation; contribute to the evaluation, improvement and dissemination of ADB’s safeguards policies; support ADB’s goal of poverty reduction and sustainable development and provide assistance as needed for applying safeguards knowledge to the development of tasks. The position will report to the Director, Safeguards Division, and operationally to the Regional Unit Head who will both provide supervisory inputs to the incumbent’s annual workplan and performance review. The position will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

Overall Coordination

•  Leads and coordinates the operation department safeguards team’s efforts in providing advice, building capacity, and advancing the development of safeguards policies within developing member countries (DMCs) and on an ADB-wide context.
•  Leads in liaising with clients, non-government organizations (NGOs), development partners, and within ADB, including coordinating responses to NGOs.
•  Keeps track of issues or related developments that are useful for safeguards implementation in the operations department) including complaints on projects, and new or updates to country safeguard systems (e.g., laws, policies, regulations and procedures).
•  Liaises and coordinate on safeguard policy issues between the operations department and the wider ADB safeguards office.
•  Takes charge of public information and disclosure initiatives.

Guidance and Advisory Function

•  Provides technical advice and guidance to project teams in (i) planning for and undertaking due diligence for social safeguards in project/program preparatory technical assistance (PPTAs) and report and recommendation of the President (RRPs) and monitor reports during implementation; and in (ii) addressing the requirements on the different thematic areas under social safeguards.
•  Participates in project missions during project processing and implementation and contribute to discussions with DMCs particularly on social safeguards requirements of projects, status of implementation of Resettlement and Indigenous plans, and corrective actions if needed.
•  Participates in operation support missions project teams to undertake due diligence of country systems and address safeguard issues in complex and sensitive projects.
•  Oversees the preparation of safeguards information and statistics on the RM’s project portfolio, including on projects with high safeguards sensitivity.

Capacity Building

•  Leads, develops, and administers, as needed, technical assistance (TA) and other training programs for capacity building. Project Development lead and work with safeguards team to identify areas of work beyond safeguards where safeguards and sustainability may be catalyzers for new lending products.
•  Leads and works with safeguards team to develop projects or programs with a specific safeguards’ focus.
•  Implements a wider coordination approach to safeguards knowledge sharing and capacity building with wider ADB safeguards office.

Policy Review and Knowledge Sharing

•  Supports operations department participation in safeguard policy/Operation Manual formulation and review.
•  Contributes to advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building activities relating to ADB’s safeguard policies and their effective application.

Staff Supervision

•  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 applied social sciences, or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
•  Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience including international work experience working on several countries.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
•  Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of social development and cultural issues, and experience IR and IP safeguards in several Asia or Pacific countries.
•  Experience in applying expertise in multiple developing nations.
•  Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level IS3/IS4.

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.