Senior Social Sector Specialist

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on 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 Senior Social Sector Specialist is assigned in the Human and Social Development Sector Office (HSD) within the Sectors Department 3 (SD3). SD3 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in finance, human and social development, and public sector management and governance sectors in the region and with ADB’s clients. SD3, which is comprised of three sector offices, delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally.  

HSD leads policy dialogue, initiatives, and solutions in the human and social development sectors (education, health, social protection, and in broader social development initiatives). HSD is responsible for (i) conceptualizing, processing, and administering lending, grant, and technical assistance (TA) operations; (ii) developing and delivering knowledge services and products to DMCs; and (iii) leading technical work on sector diagnostics and road maps, and contributing to business development efforts. 

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the designated Director, HSD and will collaborate closely with colleagues from the RDs. You will oversee National Staff (NS) and Administrative Staff (AS).     

Your Role

As a Senior Social Sector Specialist, you will lead the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies in the health sectors in the DMCs. You will lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, and TA projects, and provide relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge for projects.

You will:

•    Lead the preparation, processing, and administration of loan, grant, and TAs in the areas of health, with due attention to country’s development policies and projects’ impacts on climate change.
•    Lead the development and design new lending projects and programs in health. 
•    Collaborate with other sector offices and departments in ADB to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs. 
•    Identify and introduce innovative and smart solutions and international best practices in the design and administration of loans, grants, and TAs. Propose appropriate contract modalities and leads discussions on procurement issues including review of bidding documents and bid evaluation reports.
•    Closely coordinate with RDs, RMs, Office of Safeguards, and Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department in identifying, developing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, and TAs for the health sector.
•    Continuously assess health sector policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions, and technological advances, and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs. 
•    Identify the priority areas in health and the modality and nature of the required loans and TA support. 
•    Assist the team and RDs with guidance on inquiries related to the health sectors’ growth and relevant governance reforms.
•    Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities.  
•    Lead in generating and disseminating knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices and country or region specific cross-learning in education and social protection sectors. 
•    Lead relevant in-house studies and seminars and prepare reports or policy briefs on topics crucial to ADB's health sectors operations. 
•    Lead, supervise, and support reporting staff, including their performance and development.
•    Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Mentor junior staff and support their learning and integration into HSD in effective ways. 
•    Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in staff’s workplan. 

You will need:

•    Master’s degree in health, health economics, or related fields; University degree and at least 5 years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
•    At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in health, and in project preparation and administration of projects, practical knowledge, and experience in integration of financial, economic, social, institutional, and safeguard requirements and issues in project design and execution.
•    At least two years’ external experience in the last five years  . International experience working in several countries. 
•    Broad experience in the preparation of investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies, including knowledge on procurement and consultant recruitment.
•    Demonstrated team leadership or managerial skills and experience leading professionals, teams, and missions for technical matters and projects processing/implementation. 
•    Significant expertise within a specific area of ADB's operations (economic, sector, or thematic), or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
•    Please refer to the link for ADB for ADB Competency Framework for TI2. 

Benefits

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

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

Additional Information

This position has been created as part of the Workforce Rebalancing Framework, which is a multiyear initiative (2022-2027) aimed at increasing in-house expertise in key operational areas that was previously sourced from consultants through ADB’s technical assistance. This position has been created as part of the Workforce Rebalancing Framework, which is a multiyear initiative (2022-2027) aimed at increasing in-house expertise in key operational areas that was previously sourced from consultants through ADB’s technical assistance. The goal is to strengthen in-house expertise to enhance the quality of ADB’s policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by collaborating closely with developing member country clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts in the advertised area(s) with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions. Staff may undertake short-term assignments in other groups, departments or offices only when the expertise in the advertised area(s) is needed by those groups, departments or offices.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of three (3) years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be renewed for a period of up to three years or not renewed. There is no limit on the number of renewals. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

For staff on fixed term appointment\: (a) the current fixed term appointment will be terminated before the effective date of the new fixed term appointment; and (b) a decision on their fixed term appointment will be made at the end of the new fixed-term.

Staff who are currently under regular appointments but will transition to this position will retain their regular appointment status.

All eligibility rules for housing loan and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply to staff on fixed term appointment.

Any approved housing loan or mortgage interest subsidy prior to the change to fixed term appointment will continue during staff’s new appointment under the same terms and conditions, as applicable. The outstanding housing loan will be due and payable at the end of employment. All the other eligibility rules apply.

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal grade for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal grade for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 4.5, 4.8 and 4.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e., from TL to TI) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new grade, they will return to the grade occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

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ADB seeks 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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