Reference Number: 230463

Position Level: IS 4/5

Department: Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department

Division: Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment Cluster

Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters

Date Posted: Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Closing Date: Wednesday, September 20, 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.

This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not apply. Applications received in response to previous posting will be considered together with applications received in response to this advertisement.

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 to the Climate Change Resilience and Environment Cluster (CCRE) within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD). CCSD provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. CCRE leads the Bank’s work in responding to the growing need for innovative policies, institutions, and investments to lead the region to a low-carbon, climate, and disaster resilient future; and supports ADB’s operations departments (ODs) to develop and implement climate and disaster resilience projects, integrate disaster risk and climate change considerations into their broader portfolio of projects, and access climate financing.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) have been developed by the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including ADB, to scale up assistance to developing countries in responding to climate change, and to strengthen the knowledge base in the development community on mechanisms for climate change action.

The CIF consists of two trust funds: Clean Technology Fund (CTF), which seeks to promote scaled-up financing for demonstration, deployment, and transfer of low carbon technologies with a significant potential for long term greenhouse gas emissions; and includes the new Accelerating Coal Transition (ACT) Program; and Strategic Climate Fund (SCF), consisting of three programs: (i) Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR), (ii) Forest Investment Program (FIP), and (iii) Scaling-Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries Program (SREP) and the new Renewable Energy Integration (REI) Program and Nature, People and Climate Program (NPC), and the planned Industry Decarbonization Program, and Smart Cities Program. MDBs have also been asked to design and/or adapt CIF country investment plans and projects in a manner that enables access to other funding channels, in particular the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

To enable support to emerging needs of its developing member countries (DMC), ADB undertakes consultations to assess and better understand issues, opportunities, and challenges related to climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. Guided by CIF’s new and existing programs and ADB’s own climate change mitigation and adaptation portfolio and operational priorities, ADB continuously works with DMCs in developing programs to address countries’ needs to shift towards low-carbon and climate-resilient economies and supporting the various aspects of such transitions.

The position supports ADB to continue the successful implementation of its CIF and climate finance portfolio and strengthens the scaling up of ADB’s climate operations through providing targeted related support, drawing amongst others on CIF experiences.

Job Purpose

The (Senior) Climate Change Specialist will be responsible for tracking, analyzing, and providing strategic inputs on CIF-related policy matters in the context of evolving climate finance mechanisms, as well as advanced technical inputs for project development working closely with ADB’s operational departments. The position will contribute to the development and strengthening of ADB’s climate finance project portfolio, and the management of the existing portfolio of projects, in particular those funded by the different funding windows under the Climate Investment Funds that are being administered by ADB. The Climate Change Specialist will also help build capacity of ADB’s DMCs to access critical financing for scaling up climate change actions.

The (Senior) Climate Change Specialist will report to the Director, CCRE and the appointed team leader responsible for CTF and SCF.

Responsibilities

•  Actively participate in and effectively represent ADB’s interests in regular CIF meetings attended by the CIF Administrative Unit and staff of all MDBs. Provide analysis and summaries of the meetings to ADB, flagging key issues, providing strategic advice, and recommending necessary actions to be taken by each department/division. Advise ADB staff who will attend specific CIF meetings on key issues, implications, and possible solutions and/or recommendations on ADB’s position.
•  Work closely with CIF Admin Unit and MDBs to develop policies, strategies, and processes to improve the utilization of CIF and other climate finance resources and enhance outcomes. Provide intellectual inputs into and manage ADB responses to CIF discussions and papers on policy and procedure, knowledge products, guidance documents, events, etc. Review all papers/documents/written communications provided by the CIF Admin Unit and MDBs. Exercise judgment to highlight key issues for ADB, disseminate relevant documents, and maintain records.
•  Provide guidance to ADB mission leaders on CIF processes and procedures and support the preparation and implementation of CIF investment plans and projects, including participation in missions when appropriate, to ensure consistency with CIF requirements, criteria, and modalities.
•  Support staff representing ADB in other working groups and discussions in different global locations relevant to the CIF and climate finance, including joint MDB working groups on climate finance tracking, Paris alignment, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory, etc. and climate finance mechanisms incl. the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
•  Provide expertise and inputs on climate finance opportunities (existing, new, or concepts), including under CIF and GCF, for mobilizing climate finance for ADB DMCs, in close coordination with the Finance Sector Group (from July 2023 onwards) and other operational teams.
•  Develop tools and mechanisms to help ADB DMCs identify investment projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and/or support resilience and adaptation to climate change while creating sustainable development co-benefits; and provide advanced technical inputs for related project development.
•  Discuss/coordinate with relevant staff and consultants at ADB to accomplish the tasks, under the guidance of the CIF team leader appointed by the Director, CCRE.
•  Generate reports and related technical documents, hold presentations and perform other activities as required or as requested by the CIF team leader, Director CCRE, and CCSD management team.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

•  Master’s degree, or equivalent in engineering, economics, environmental sciences, or other related fields; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered. Climate Change specialization strongly preferred.
•  Minimum of 8 years experience working on international development or policy issues, in particular climate change and clean energy/GHG emissions mitigation, and/or resilience/adaptation. Experience should include technical and financial development and administration of projects, and establishing and stewarding relationships with key partners and stakeholders.
•  International experience working in several countries; regional experience is desirable.
•  Excellent interpersonal skills to work/interact with multiple stakeholders and in a multi-cultural environment.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
•  Technical and administration experiences should include strategic planning, portfolio management with risk mitigation, managing/monitoring a framework at the institutional level, project planning and monitoring and evaluation.
•  Familiarity with an MDB’s project management framework (both processing and administrative procedures); experience in working with the CIF and GCF preferred; institutional familiarity with ADB is an advantage.

Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4 and 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.