Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development)

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. The organization 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 through innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships, aiming to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard the planet.

Job Overview:
The Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development) will play a crucial role in the Gender Equality Division within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department at ADB. This position is responsible for providing strategic leadership and technical oversight in mainstreaming gender equality and women's empowerment across ADB's corporate policies, strategies, and operations. The specialist will ensure the effective implementation of gender mainstreaming standards in both sovereign and non-sovereign operations, offering technical support and maintaining quality oversight. Additionally, the role involves spearheading research and thought leadership on gender equality issues in Asia and the Pacific, which will inform future ADB operations in developing member countries (DMCs). The specialist will assist in advancing ADB's policy commitments on gender equality and women's empowerment, providing high-quality technical advice, and leading monitoring and reporting systems for gender equality results.

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

• Strategy and Planning: Assisting the Director of the Gender Equality Division in advancing ADB's commitments on gender equality; providing technical advice for mainstreaming gender across operations; leading monitoring and reporting systems for gender equality results.
• Project Preparation and Implementation Support: Leading the integration of gender equality in project design and implementation; developing technical assistance projects on gender issues; coordinating with other divisions on performance indicators related to gender equality.
• Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building, and Partnerships: Designing and delivering knowledge events on gender equality; building partnerships with various stakeholders including governments and civil society organizations; advocating for gender equality initiatives.
• Management Support: Providing technical support to the Director in gender-related corporate initiatives; performing additional tasks as assigned by the Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in social sciences, international development, public policy, or related fields with a focus on gender and development. Alternatively, a university degree in relevant fields with at least 5 years of specialized experience may be considered. A minimum of 10 years of work experience in gender and development is required, including field-level experience in mainstreaming gender equality into operations. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in capacity building for gender equality initiatives, experience in leading innovative knowledge products, and international experience with multilateral development banks or international organizations. Proven experience in managing budgets and teams, as well as in donor relations and partnership development, is essential. Proficiency in written and verbal English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in social sciences, international development, public policy, or other related fields with an emphasis on gender and development. A university degree in relevant fields combined with significant specialized experience may also be acceptable.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of work experience in gender and development, with a strong emphasis on field-level experience in integrating gender equality and women's empowerment into country/regional and sector operations. Candidates should have demonstrated expertise in building capacity for gender equality initiatives and leading innovative projects or knowledge products in this area.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, both written and verbal. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial period of 3 years, with the possibility of extension for up to 2 years or conversion to a regular appointment based on performance and organizational needs. ADB offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including housing and education allowances, expatriate benefits, relocation assistance, a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave, and staff development opportunities. ADB encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women, and is committed to creating an inclusive work environment.