Director, Safeguards

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful\: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Director is assigned to the Office of Safeguards (OSFG) Division. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to Head, Office of Safeguards and will supervise international and local staff located in the Headquarters and field offices.

Your Role

As a Director, you will provide policy oversight and lead periodic updates of ADB's environmental and social safeguards policy and standards, ensuring that the projects financed by ADB are of a high technical quality and meet best practice international standards. You will provide leadership and technical guidance to staff in relevant environmental and social standards including guidance on policy implementation, knowledge management, staff skills development, sovereign and non-sovereign safeguards integration, capacity-building for ADB developing member countries and private sector clients, and overall portfolio monitoring and reporting.

You will:

• Lead and provide strategic advice to ADB Management on environmental and social safeguard policy issues and periodically lead and coordinate on policy reviews and updates to ensure that ADB's safeguard policy continues to meet international good practices and the evolving needs of ADB and the region.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to ADB Management, Operational Departments and to developing member countries (DMCs) and private sector clients to interpret and implement ADB's safeguard policy, ensuring that ADB financed projects address environmental and social risk and impacts on people and the environment.
• Manage and provide advisory support to ADB Management and Operational Departments in addressing complaints and grievances, regarding ADB financed projects, including those submitted to the ADB Accountability Mechanism, and ensuring documentation and monitoring of outcomes.
• Manage and provide advisory support to ADB Management and Operational Departments in the review and implementation of ADB policies, strategies, special initiatives or programs that may have environmental and social risks or implications.
• Lead and coordinate a team of technical experts providing support to ADB Project Teams on high risk and complex and sensitive projects, participating in project review and operational support missions as needed.
• Provide leadership on ADB's Knowledge Management Action Plan for Safeguards, including new or innovative approaches, which will strengthen ADB staff skills and borrower/client capacity to design and achieve compliance with environmental and social safeguard requirements in ADB operations.
• Oversee the design and processing of technical assistance (TA) and related country support programs to help strengthen DMC and private sector awareness and capacity to meet ADB safeguards requirements, international good practices.
• Oversee and promote regional and global cooperation on safeguards through knowledge partnerships and participation and contribution to critical regional and international events, activities and programs that have high strategic and operational relevance to ADB's operations.
• Manage and provide support for relationship management and coordination on safeguard matters with internal stakeholders (Board, Senior Management, and other departments) as well as external stakeholders (government, development partners, civil society, and private sector groups).
• Develop an inclusive, gender-sensitive and client orientated working environment that motivates and encourages diverse multidisciplinary teams to achieve transformative results in line with ADB's Cultural Transformation Initiative.
• Manage the performance of teams and individuals and provides clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Support sovereign and non-sovereign skills integration, provides coaching and mentoring to the team members and ensures their ongoing learning and development. Manage the budget and resource allocation to deliver approved workplans.

You will need:

• Master's degree in or equivalent, in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Economics, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, Social Sciences or other related fields. University degree in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, or other related fields and at least 10 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered in lieu of a master's degree.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience including international work experience in environmental policy, management and environment and social safeguards and/or capacity development, or related area.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Proven capacity to liaise and deal effectively with the Board, Management and senior staff, as well as with senior officials in client governments, collaborator agencies and civil society.
• Proven experience in interpreting data and formulate strategic solutions to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong capability to develop positive working relationships with various colleagues, stakeholders and partners.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Managerial Staff grade M1.

Benefits

ADB offers a rewarding salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB's standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (if applicable)
• Retirement plan (if applicable)
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff's Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional fixed term period of up to 3 years or allow it to expire. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB's medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff's skills to those plans, and the staff's managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff's NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff's NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment

About Us

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is headquartered in Manila and owned by 69 members—50 from the region

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB wants to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

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