Safeguards Specialist

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 Safeguards Specialist is assigned to the Office of Safeguards (OSFG). 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 the Head, Office of Safeguards and will supervise junior team members.

Your Role:

As a Safeguards Specialist, you will support ADB operations during project preparation and implementation, with a focus on implementing OSFG’s Knowledge Management Strategy. You will lead safeguards learning, capacity development, and knowledge intelligence, and contribute to safeguards communications. You will turn operational experience, learning needs, and stakeholder feedback into practical learning programs, actionable insights, and knowledge resources that strengthen application of ADB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS). Working with ADB project teams, developing member countries, and private sector clients across sovereign and non-sovereign operations, you will help apply safeguard policy requirements, international good practices, and lessons learned.

You will:
• Participate in project processing, implementation, and review missions to help teams apply safeguard policy requirements and international good practices, and capture implementation challenges and lessons for learning and improvement.
• Lead the annual OSFG learning and capacity building program based on staff, developing member country, and client needs, including the ESF Accreditation Program, ESF and SPS eLearning courses, thematic learning journeys, and training on environmental and social management systems and specialized topics.
• Lead technical assistance (TA) to deliver safeguards capacity building programs and related knowledge products for developing member countries and private sector clients.
• Work with OSFG teams and ADB’s Center of Excellence (ADBx) to assess learning needs and competency gaps, coordinate access to existing training records and analytics, and develop standardized evaluation tools. Assess training effectiveness, accreditation outcomes, and implementation readiness; report findings to management to refine learning priorities, resources, and programs.
• Analyze information from ADB’s Integrated Safeguards Management System (ISMS) and Management-Led Grievance Redress Service and other ADB data management systems to identify recurring challenges, emerging risks, and knowledge and capacity gaps. Prepare periodic knowledge intelligence briefs with recommendations on capacity building, knowledge products, FAQs, business processes, communications, and change management.
• Develop practical knowledge products and learning resources that address identified needs and synthesize lessons and good practices. Contribute to operations manuals, staff instructions, guidance, and tools.
• Work with ADBx on learning analytics dashboards and with the OSFG digital working group to explore AI-enabled analysis, knowledge discovery, and trend identification to improve ESF and SPS implementation.
• Help internal and external clients understand and apply ADB's safeguard requirements. Translate technical guidance, lessons and analytical findings into clear, practical materials tailored to their needs. Develop and share knowledge products and learning resources, consulting with the Department of Communications and Knowledge as needed on external dissemination.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior staff and colleagues on safeguards compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in your workplan.

You will need:
• A university degree in environmental science, environmental management, or other related fields; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent.
• At least 6 years of relevant hands-on professional experience in environmental and social safeguards work, or related areas.
• Knowledge and understanding of environmental and social issues in Asia-Pacific countries. International experience working in several countries. Experience in Asia-Pacific countries is preferred.
• Experience leading knowledge management programs, developing knowledge and learning products, and designing and delivering training.
• Excellent written and verbal proficiency in English.
• Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical International Grade 1.

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)
● Relocation (if applicable)
● Retirement plan
● Medical and health benefits
● Paid leave (including parental)
● Life and other insurance plans
● Staff development

Additional Information

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion and for lateral transfer must have served at their position for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (A.O. 2.03)

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.

This position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB’s in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce. The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful applicants may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other departments or offices, when required.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years, or up to the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, for the purpose(s) and conditions determined by ADB, 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 up to an additional 3 years or not renewed. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including but not limited to the requirement of Staff’s particular blend of skills and experience for the medium-term work program of the organizational unit, sufficient funding to cover the renewed period, and Staff’s performance and suitability for employment. There is no limit to the number of renewals up to NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

For staff on fixed term appointment, the current fixed term appointment will be terminated before the effective date of the new fixed term appointment.

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

All eligibility rules for housing loans and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply.

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.