Social Development Specialist (Poverty and Social Analysis)

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB is owned by 69 members, with 50 of them from the Asia-Pacific region. The organization is dedicated to supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. ADB works collaboratively with its members and partners to address complex challenges, utilizing innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard the environment. ADB is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all individuals are treated with respect and provided equal opportunities, encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Social Development Specialist (Poverty and Social Analysis) position is situated within the Fragility and Engagement Division of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department at ADB. This role is crucial for providing advanced analytical and technical support to the Poverty and Social Analysis (PSA) and Disability Inclusion (DI) teams. The specialist will act as the focal point for data management and analytics within the division. The primary responsibilities include ensuring that poverty and inclusion considerations are integrated into ADB-financed operations, providing operational support to sector groups and regional departments, monitoring corporate results related to poverty reduction, validating poverty classifications, and contributing to corporate reports. The specialist will also design and administer technical assistance programs, manage data systems, and explore new data sources to enhance the division's analytical capabilities. This role requires a proactive approach to research and knowledge product development, aimed at addressing social development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Social Development Specialist include:

• Providing technical guidance and support through the Poverty and Social Analysis (PSA) to ensure that poverty reduction and inclusion, as well as disability inclusion, are prioritized in ADB-financed operations.
• Offering operational support to sector groups and regional departments to identify and address key social development issues, poverty concerns, and disability inclusion in country strategies and projects/programs.
• Monitoring the achievement of Corporate Results Framework targets and indicators related to poverty reduction and inclusiveness.
• Validating poverty classifications and contributing to corporate reports and analyses on poverty reduction and inclusion.
• Designing, processing, and administering technical assistance programs, knowledge solutions, and capacity development initiatives.
• Leading the development and management of an integrated and centralized data management system for the division.
• Supporting efforts to explore and secure new data sources, including Earth observation, remote sensing, mobile data, and citizen-generated data.
• Proposing new areas of research, analysis, and knowledge products to enhance the division's impact.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Social Development Specialist position include:

• A university degree in Economics, Sociology, Data Science, Database Management, or other relevant development fields, preferably at the post-graduate level or its equivalent.
• A minimum of 6 years of work experience in international development, with a focus on poverty analytics, particularly in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCAS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Expertise in relevant topics such as social inclusion, social dimensions of infrastructure, citizen engagement, community-driven development, social dimensions of climate change, youth, disability, and migration.
• International experience working in multiple countries.
• Demonstrated capabilities in designing, developing, and managing databases, as well as proficiency in data analytics and visualizations.
• Proven ability to conduct and manage research, utilizing technical knowledge to analyze and propose solutions to policy and project-level challenges.
• Experience with the application of multilateral development bank policies and procedures for social development.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, with the ability to think creatively and strategically to find balanced solutions to complex problems, maintaining a strong client focus.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Social Development Specialist position are required to have a university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Sociology, Data Science, or Database Management. A post-graduate degree or its equivalent is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in social development and poverty analysis.

Experience:
The position requires at least 6 years of relevant work experience in international development, particularly with a focus on poverty analytics. Experience in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCAS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) contexts is highly desirable. Candidates should have a proven track record of working on social inclusion, community-driven development, and related topics, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex social issues effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, both written and verbal. This is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of working in diverse countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

Additional Notes:
This appointment is open to both internal and external applicants and is a fixed-term position for an initial period of 3 years. There is potential for extension for up to 2 additional years, conversion to a regular appointment, or termination at the end of the fixed term, depending on ADB's needs and the staff member's performance. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including housing and education allowances (if applicable), expatriate benefits, relocation assistance, a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental leave), life and other insurance plans, and opportunities for staff development.