Safeguards Specialist (Social) – IS 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 (Social) is assigned to the Private Sector/Pacific Operations Services (OSPP) within 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 oversee national staff (NS) and administrative staff (AS).

Your Role
 

As a Safeguards Specialist (Social), you will support the planning, development and provide operational coordination and specific technical inputs to ADB projects to ensure compliance with safeguards policies during project preparation and implementation. You will support the successful implementation of projects and contribute to the evaluation, improvement, and dissemination of ADB’s safeguards policies; and support ADB’s goal of poverty reduction and sustainable development and provide assistance as needed for applying safeguards knowledge to the development of tasks.

You will:
 

• Support the operations department safeguards compliance by providing advice, building capacity, and advancing the development of safeguards policies within developing member countries (DMCs) and in an ADB-wide context.
• For assigned projects, liaise 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 department, sector and other teams, and the wider ADB safeguards office.
• Contribute to public information and disclosure initiatives.
• For assigned projects, conduct due diligence and provide technical advice and guidance to borrower/clients and contribute to project completion reports and address relevant thematic areas under safeguards and other social requirements (e.g. labor and working conditions 
• stakeholder engagement, occupational health and safety, community health and safety, indigenous peoples and cultural heritage);
• Participate in project missions supporting project implementation and undertake due diligence of country systems and address safeguard 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. 
• Support operations department participation in safeguard policy/Operation Manual formulation and review; 
• Contribute to safeguards knowledge sharing and capacity building with wider ADB safeguards office. 
• Contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building relating to ADB’s safeguard policies and their effective application.
• 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:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in applied social sciences or appropriate; or a University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered 
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience including international work experience working in and across several developing countries. 
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of social development and cultural issues, and experience involuntary resettlement (IR) and Indigenous Peoples (IP) safeguards in several Asia or Pacific countries. 
• Experience working in similar organization/s or Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 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)

Additional Information

This position has been created as part of the Workforce Rebalancing Framework, which is a multiyear initiative (2022-2027) aimed at increasing in-house expertise in key operational areas that was previously sourced from consultants through ADB’s technical assistance. The goal is to strengthen in-house expertise to enhance the quality of ADB’s policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by collaborating closely with developing member country clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts in the advertised area(s) with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions. Staff may undertake short-term assignments in other groups, departments or offices only when the expertise in the advertised area(s) is needed by those groups, departments or offices.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of three (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.

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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