Safeguards Specialist (Environment) – IS 3/4  

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 Safeguards Specialist is assigned to the Office of Safeguards (OSFG). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

OSFG has the following four teams: (i) Policy and Technical Services, (ii) Regional Operations Services 1, (iii) Regional Operations Services 2, and (iv) Private Sector/Pacific Operations Services and you will be assigned to one of them depending on business needs.

You will report to the Director and will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.

Your Role
As a Safeguards Specialist (Environment), you will support the planning and development as well as provide operational coordination and specific technical inputs to ADB projects to ensure compliance with environment safeguard policies and procedures during project preparation and implementation. This is an operational and hands-on role, and you will also support the planning, development, and implementation of ADB environmental safeguards policies within Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) and across ADB.

You will:
a. Overall Coordination
• Support operations departments safeguards compliance by providing advice, building capacity, and advancing the development of safeguards policies with private sector clients and developing member countries (DMCs) and in an ADB-wide context.
• For assigned projects, lead engagement with clients, non-government organizations (NGOs), development partners, and within ADB, including coordinating responses to NGOs.
• Keep 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).
• Liaise and coordinate safeguard policy issues between the operations departments, sector, and other teams, and the wider ADB safeguards office.
• Contribute to public information and disclosure initiatives.

b. Project Management, Guidance and Advisory Function
• Support PSOD line divisions in developing, structuring, and monitoring environmental safeguards policy compliance of projects during processing and implementation.
• For assigned projects, conduct due diligence, and provide technical advice and guidance to borrower/clients including, planning for, and undertaking environmental safeguards assessments; reviewing and ensuring safeguards documents are satisfactory and issues are resolved prior to approval; and preparing inputs to the internal documents and reports, as required.
• Participate in project missions during project processing and implementation and lead discussions with borrower/clients particularly on environment requirements of projects, status of implementation of environmental and social management tools and plans, and corrective actions, if needed.
• Participate in operation support missions project teams to undertake due diligence of country systems and address environment issues in complex and sensitive projects.
• Oversee the preparation of safeguards information and statistics on the RM’s project portfolio, including on projects with high safeguards sensitivity.

c. Capacity Building
• Develop, and administer, 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, environmental and social sustainability may be catalyzers for new financing products.
• Work with relevant teams to develop projects or programs with specific safeguards focus.
• Contribute to safeguards knowledge sharing and capacity building with wider ADB safeguards office.

d. Policy Review and Knowledge Sharing
• Support operations department participation in safeguard policy/Operation Manual formulation and review; and
• Contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building relating to ADB’s safeguard policies and their effective application.

e. Staff Supervision
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance; and ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Qualifications

You will need:
● A University degree in environmental science, environmental management, or other related fields; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent.
● At least 6 years of relevant hands-on professional experience in environmental and safeguards work, or related areas and in project administration.
● Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of environmental and social issues in several Asia-Pacific countries.
● Experience with developing or implementing environment, health, and safety (EHS) management plans and systems to ensure safeguards outcomes are achieved in a cost-effective manner.
● Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English.
● Please refer to the links for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Levels 3 and 4.

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)

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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