Senior Social Development Specialist (Safeguards) - Asian Development Bank - Manila, Philippines

Portfolio, Results, Safeguards and Social Sector Unit, CWRD, Central and West Asia Department

Closing Date: 26 September 2012 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Lead CWRD-wide operational compliance with Asian Development Bank (ADB) social safeguards (SS) policies [i.e., involuntary resettlement (IR) and indigenous peoples (IP)] in assigned projects. Lead the development of policy and strategies addressing social development and protection in the assigned sector in developing member countries (DMCs). Lead in identifying, developing, implementing and administering loans, Technical Assistance (TA) projects, and non-lending products and services (NLPS) in the assigned sector, ensuring compliance with safeguards on involuntary resettlement and indigenous people. Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

a. Strategy and Planning
- Lead and support the development of sector policy and strategies, with proper consideration for their impact on social development and protection for vulnerable groups, particularly on themes around addressing involuntary resettlement and indigenous people, in CWRD DMCs in consultation with relevant government agencies and Resident Missions (RMs).
- Lead and conduct dialogue with government officials of DMCs on social development and protection policy.
- Lead or participate in country teams and provide substantial inputs around social development and protection issues for Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).
- Represent CWRD in ADB-wide initiatives and contribute to ADB’s policy development as needed.
- Lead and conduct economic, thematic and sector work in the context of sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.
- Coordinate with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of social development and protection policy commitments to the management of projects.
b. Project Management
- Lead in the development, processing and administration of loan and TA projects in the assigned sector, ensuring compliance with safeguards on involuntary resettlement and indigenous people, possibly with moderate to high levels of risk and complexity.
- Liaise with and coordinate with development agencies on program loans and investment projects.
- Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects.
c. Capacity Building
- Lead the assessment of SS capacity at departmental, divisional and resident mission level and provide key inputs to capacity building activities as needed.
- Plan, participate and contribute to internal and external training on SS issues and advocacy activities.
- Lead the assessment of capacity building needs among CWRD clients and plan/provide key inputs for ensuing capacity building activities.
d. Policy Review
- Contribute to ADB-wide policy/Operations Manual (OM) formulation related to the Safeguards Policy Update (SPU), the Country Systems Policy, and the Poverty Reduction Policy.
c. Knowledge Sharing
- Develop and maintain a suitable network in the area of social development and protection to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues.
- Contribute substantially to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around social development and protection issues.
d. Staff Supervision
- Take the role of mission leader and supervise the work of mission members.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in sociology, economics, applied social science or other related fields. University degree in economics, applied social science or other related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in social development and protection, or related area and in project administration. International experience working in several countries.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Advisor and Head, Portfolio, Results, Safeguards and Social Sector Unit
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff
• National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply.

Note: Applications for current vacancies are received through the ADB Recruitment Center (ARC), a system that automates ADB's recruitment process. ARC facilitates the submission of applications, and enables applicants to check status of their applications on ADB's website. You will need to create an account before making any submissions.