Senior Food and Nutrition Specialist – IS 5  

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Senior Food and Nutrition Specialist is assigned to the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR) within the Sectors Group (SG). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the Director, SG-AFNR, will collaborate closely with colleagues from the Regional Departments and other Sector Offices, and will oversee National Staff and Administrative Staff.

Your Role

As a Senior Food and Nutrition Specialist, you will contribute and lead in (i) formulating and articulating policy and strategies on nutrition and its nexus of food, nutrition, health, biodiversity, and/or climate change and (ii) developing, processing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, technical assistance (TA) projects in those areas. The position will lead in identifying the emerging areas in the AFNR sector investment opportunities and introduce innovative and effective solutions related to nutrition and its nexus and identify appropriate modalities for ADB’s assistance in developing member countries (DMCs). 

This role may be designated to lead the portfolio management and be responsible for project reviews to ensure effective implementation, attainment of project and sector/subsector results, and development impact. You will provide oversight and guidance to project teams, specifically in areas of project implementation and development effectiveness, in designing, and processing of loans, grants, technical assistance (TA) projects.

You will:

• Assess AFNR sector development policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions and technological advances, and responsiveness to DMCs’ needs for food and nutrition security, climate challenges, and emerging issues. Based on country dialogues, prepare, and implement studies to identify the emerging areas particularly in food and nutrition security in the AFNR sector investment opportunities. Introduce innovative and effective solutions and identify appropriate modalities for ADB’s assistance to DMC(s). Administer, process, and prepare regional and DMC specific loans, grants, and TAs in agrifood system transformation, particularly in areas of nutrition and its nexus such as nexus of food, nutrition, and health; nexus of nutrition, biodiversity, and climate change; and nexus of nutrition, human capital, and agriculture; and one health.
• Identify and introduce innovative solutions in specific loans, grants, and TAs to address food and nutrition security for replication in SG-AFNR and beyond.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners (e.g., universities, international organizations, and private sector entities) related to agrifood system transformation for knowledge and project opportunities, and fully utilize the strategic partnerships to generate new project ideas.
• Work on generating and disseminating knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices, and country or region-specific cross-learning in the AFNR sector in the areas of nutrition and its nexus such as nexus of food, nutrition, and health; nexus of nutrition, biodiversity, and climate change; and nexus of nutrition, human capital, and agriculture; and one health. Lead relevant in-house studies and knowledge generating and sharing activities and prepare knowledge products, reports, or policy briefs on these emerging areas
• Take the role of mentor to develop capabilities/potential of reporting staff.
• Supervise and support reporting staff, including their performance and development. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in staff’s workplan. 

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in nutrition, food science, agriculture, or other relevant areas; or University degree in nutrition, food science, agriculture, or other relevant areas and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position. 
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in nutrition and its nexus such as nexus of food, nutrition, and health; nexus of nutrition, biodiversity, and climate change; and nexus of nutrition, human capital, and agriculture; and one health.
• International experience working in several countries and regions.
• Experience in preparing, processing and administrating projects (i.e., loans, grants, TAs) in the above-mentioned technical areas,
• Experience in coordinating with external partners, such as universities, climate and agriculture-related international organizations, and private companies for knowledge and project opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB for ADB Competency Framework for IS5.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

● Paid leave (including parental)

● Medical and health benefits

● Life and other insurance plans

● Staff development

● Retirement plan

● Housing and education allowance (if applicable)

● Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

Additional Information

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of 3 years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be renewed for a period of up to three years, or not renewed. There is no limit on the number of renewals. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants..

This position is part of the Expert Pool Program, created to strengthen ADB’s internal expertise in key operational areas by acquiring updated and niche expertise in priority areas.

About Us 

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.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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