Water Resources Specialist

The Water Resources Specialist (Flood Risk Management) will focus on flood risk management and other climate adaptation and resilience for water operations by (i) leading the identification, development, processing and evaluation of loan, grant, and technical assistance (TA) projects in developing member countries (DMCs); and (ii) ensuring technical soundness, economic and financial viability, sound social and environment safeguards, and consistency with ADB policies and strategies. The incumbent will also administer loan, grant and TA projects, and non-lending products and services. The incumbent will contribute to the analyses and formulation of policies, strategies, and technical guidelines of DMCs. The incumbent will report to Director, SG-AFNR and may supervise National and Administrative staff

Responsibilities:

• Leads the identification, design, development, appraisal and processing of loan and TA water resources projects (i.e. flood risk management, integrated river basin management, drought management, and other climate adaptation and resilience water operations) consistent with Strategy 2030 Water Sector Directional Guide: A Water-Secure and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, Climate Change Action Plan, 2023–2030, and other thematic priorities.
• Supervises consultants (individual and firms), ensuring consistency and conformity to ADB standards; and evaluates studies and sector-related project documentation.
• Leads analytical studies and policy analysis relevant to water resources management with a focus on increasing adaptation and resilience of investments and review development and implementation of effective adaptation policies, strategies and measures in the water sector.
• Identifies emerging issues on water resources development and management, and assess the interactions between climate change/water development vis-a-vis other sectors in order to mitigate negative interactions and harness synergies.
• Contributes to the relevant community of practices in identifying investment opportunities, shares innovations and knowledge, formulates strategies for by promoting river-basin based landscape approach, nature-based solutions, digital innovation and technology, climate-food-nature nexus, and upstream – downstream river basin management.
• Provides technical inputs for country programming and contribute to the development of Country Partnership Strategies, including preparing AFNR sector assessment, strategy and road map, and developing pipeline of loan and TA projects centered around climate adaptation and resilience in water resources.
• Leads missions and other activities for the administration of loan, grant and TA projects and provide technical advice to government implementation units.
• Leads project team and ensure quality at entry of project documents.
• Liaises and collaborates with other development partners in addressing water resources development, management and climate change resilience and adaptation.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications:

Relevant Experience & Requirement:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in water resources, hydrology, civil or environment engineering or related fields from an accredited university. Alternatively, university degree in related fields combined with at least 5 years relevant professional experience can be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience related to planning, engineering, implementation and coordination of projects in water resilience and adaptation.
• Experience with multi-sectoral teams is particularly desirable.
• Familiarity with climate, hydrologic and hydrodynamic modeling and remote sensing technologies would be an advantage.
• Ability to write effectively, particularly technical papers and studies.
• Experience with development partners funded projects and with the government agencies/institutions responsible for implementing such projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• High level of energy, initiative, and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements.
• Good external client relations skills.
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff level IS4.