Safeguards Specialist (Social)

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB's mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. It is owned by 69 members, with 50 of them from the region, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to fostering prosperity in Asia. ADB collaborates with its members and partners to address complex challenges, utilizing innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives and build quality infrastructure. ADB is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees are treated with respect and given equal opportunities, encouraging applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Safeguards Specialist (Social) position is situated within the Office of Safeguards (OSFG) at ADB's Headquarters in Manila. The role is pivotal in supporting the implementation of social safeguard requirements across various projects. The specialist will assist in applying social safeguard policies related to land acquisition, resettlement, indigenous peoples, and labor. This position requires a proactive approach to providing technical support for ADB-financed projects, both sovereign and non-sovereign. The specialist will also be responsible for developing good practice guidance and conducting capacity-building activities for ADB staff, borrowers, and clients. The role demands collaboration with clients and management to ensure the effective execution of social policies, and it involves overseeing junior team members, thus requiring strong leadership skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Safeguards Specialist (Social) will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical guidance to ensure the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of ADB's social policy across both non-sovereign and sovereign projects.
• Participating in 'One ADB Teams' to conduct safeguard due diligence and support clients and borrowers during project preparation and implementation, including safeguard review missions.
• Guiding the quality-at-entry of social safeguard documents and collaborating with safeguards and project teams to ensure meaningful partner engagement and proactive grievance management, including with civil society organizations.
• Supporting the management of project complaints and facilitating knowledge generation and sharing on social safeguards within ADB and with external partners, focusing on areas such as resettlement, livelihood restoration, indigenous peoples, poverty and social analysis, gender, vulnerable groups, SEAH, labor, stakeholder engagement, and grievance mechanisms.
• Supporting country programming by assessing and advising on country safeguard systems, policy implementation challenges, capacity needs, and opportunities.
• Contributing to cross-departmental projects and coordinating on project-level social safeguard policy matters with relevant ADB departments, including Human and Social Development, Gender Equality, and Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management.
• Providing leadership and support to reporting staff, offering clear direction, regular performance monitoring, and constructive feedback.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a University degree in applied social sciences or a related field, preferably at the post-graduate level or its equivalent. Additionally, candidates should have at least 8 years of relevant work experience, including international experience in multiple countries. Demonstrated experience in preparing and/or implementing and monitoring private sector (non-sovereign) projects is essential. Candidates should also have experience in emerging areas such as SEAH, labor, and supply chain, along with a proven ability to apply a commercially informed approach to implementing safeguard requirements in developing country contexts. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to convey complex technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences are also required. Furthermore, two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is mandatory, with years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor considered as experience outside of ADB.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a University degree in applied social sciences or a related field. A post-graduate degree or its equivalent is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in social safeguards and development issues.

Experience:
The position requires at least 8 years of relevant professional experience, with a strong emphasis on international experience working in various countries. Candidates should have a demonstrated history of preparing and/or implementing and monitoring private sector (non-sovereign) projects, showcasing their ability to navigate complex environments and deliver results. Experience in emerging areas such as SEAH, labor, and supply chain is also highly valued, as is familiarity with the operations of multilateral development banks.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential given the international nature of the role and the need to communicate complex concepts effectively. Additional languages relevant to the Asia-Pacific region may be considered advantageous, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at ADB's Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and relocation is required. ADB will cover all reasonable relocation expenses. The role is full-time and involves overseeing junior team members, indicating a level of seniority. ADB offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes housing and education allowances (if applicable), expatriate benefits (if applicable), a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental leave), life and other insurance plans, and opportunities for staff development.