Social Sector Specialist (Skills Development)

Reference Number 220563

‍Position Level IS 4

‍Department South Asia Department

‍Division Human and Social Development Division, SARD

‍Location Asian Development Bank Headquarters

‍Date Posted Tuesday, October 25, 2022

‍Closing Date Wednesday, November 16, 2022 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

ADB has an ongoing organizational review which may result in the change of department/group and/or reporting arrangement(s). By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge and accept the possibility of such changes resulting from the organizational review.

Close relatives¹ of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

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 level 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 level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 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 68 members.

The position is assigned in the Human and Social Development Division (SAHS) within the South Asia Department (SARD). SAHS is mandated to develop the social sectors, including but not limited to education, health, and social protection, in South Asia developing member countries (DMCs). SAHS aims to ensure DMCs can deliver quality social services for all and address constraints in human capital development that supports sustained economic development.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Social Sector Specialist (Skills Development) identifies, develops, implements, and administers loans, technical assistance (TAs), and non-lending products and services in the areas of skills development and technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in line with ADB's Strategy 2030. This position undertakes policy dialogue, promotes best practices and innovations for strengthening skill development and TVET programs and projects, undertakes relevant sector and thematic studies, and participates in intersectoral programs. The incumbent will report to the Director of SAHS and may supervise one or more national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Drives and supports the development, processing, and administration of loans and TA projects in skills development and TVET, and related intersectoral areas, with moderate to high level of risk and complexity.
• Contributes to the development of skill development sector policies and strategies in DMCs, in consultation with relevant government agencies and ADB’s Resident Missions (RMs).
• Participates in country teams and provides substantive technical sector inputs for the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).
• Leads and participates in missions responsible for the identification, preparation, appraisal, and administration of programs and projects in skills development and TVET, and related intersectoral areas and ensures key technical, economic, financial, and safeguard issues are incorporated into the project and program design in coordination with other Departments to ensure full compliance of ADB policies and procedures.
• Facilitates effective liaison and coordination with executing agencies and implementing agencies, and development agencies and donors, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, involved in ADB-assisted operations, to ensure smooth project implementation and achievement of development results.
• Coordinates with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of skills development policy commitments to the management of projects.
• Contributes to the generation, preparation, and dissemination of high-quality knowledge products and activities relevant to DMCs, including the promotion of innovations and best practices and emerging areas such as future of jobs, IR4.0, and climate changes.
• Contributes new and innovative approaches to policies, strategies, and operational issues, including private sector engagement in skills development and TVET, in the context of inclusive and sustainable growth and poverty reduction.
• Participates in missions and other activities in the administration of both delegated and non-delegated loan and TA projects.
• Provides guidance, advice, and comments as appropriate to project teams in the administration of loans, grants, and TA projects for the social sectors.
• Coordinates with colleagues in the division and regional department and in other ADB offices and departments as appropriate.
• Leads and participates in discussions with other development partners for co-financing, and with private sector stakeholders for public-private sector partnerships.
• Leads and participates in conducting economic, thematic, and sector work related to policy, legal and regulatory as well as the institutional framework for skill development and TVET in the context of sustainable economic development and eradicating extreme poverty.
• Fosters collaboration within the division and with all divisions/departments concerning the skills development outcomes of ADB operations.
• Monitors the pipeline of skills development-related knowledge products bank-wide to ensure a solid basis for operational work as well as the implementation of operational plans related to skills development and TVET at the corporate level ensuring ongoing monitoring and assessment of their impacts, and provides operational advice for the processing and implementation of ADB-assisted operations in a variety of sectors and thematic areas.
• Fosters collaboration with all divisions and departments concerning skills development outcomes of ADB operations and contributes to the operation of other sector groups that influence social and human development, including energy, food security, gender equity, governance, social development and poverty, transport, urban development, and water/sanitation
• Provides guidance and inputs to development plans of social sector specialists and participates in specialist training and presentations within and outside ADB for education and TVET knowledge dissemination to produce high-quality knowledge products
• Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s work plan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in the social sectors and other related fields; or a University degree and at least 5 years of specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 8 years of work experience in the education sector and TVET, and in project administration.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Knowledge of development issues in Asia and the Pacific. 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.
• Good understanding and experience in the overall tasks needed in the preparation of investment projects, including project identification and conceptualization, analysis of relevant policies, preparing studies and reports, and coordination with external stakeholders, consultants, and government agencies.
• Good skills and experience in coordinating and working with multidisciplinary teams of professionals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4.

‍General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.

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