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
While the position of Senior Safeguards Officer (Social) resides with the Regional Operations Services 2 (OSR2) within the Office of Safeguards (OSFG) you will be strategically assigned to the Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji (SPSO) within the Pacific Department (PARD) based at our resident mission office in Suva, Fiji.
SPSO handles country programming, processing, and implementation of projects for Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, Samoa, and Tuvalu. SPSO also provides oversight for the administrative, financial, and country operations in the additional six offices in the South Pacific outside of Suva.
You will report to the Regional Director, SPSO and/or designated International Staff (IS) and will supervise Administrative Staff (AS).
Your Role
As a Senior Safeguards Officer (Social), you will support project processing and the administration of safeguards implementation for ADB projects within the SPSO region. You are expected to provide support in ensuring compliance with ADB’s safeguards policies during processing and implementation of loans, grants, and other financing modalities. In doing so, you are expected to foster strong relationships with key government stakeholders including regulatory bodies and implementing agencies, have a good understanding of country safeguard systems and how they relate to ADB policies plus conduct dialogues with clients and stakeholders to ascertain ways to strengthen country safeguards systems and build in-country capacity.
You will:
• Lead safeguards due diligence activities for assigned projects and supports their compliance with SPS requirements. This includes: (i) supporting the integration of safeguard requirements in project design, environmental and social assessment reports, tools and plans, loan or grant covenants and project agreements; and (ii) supporting the implementation of environmental and social management plans, resettlement and indigenous peoples plans, stakeholder engagement plans and grievance redress mechanisms, among others.
• Undertake regular project site visits (individually or as part of an ADB project team mission), reviews and comments on coverage of safeguards aspects in progress reports and semi-annual monitoring reports submitted by the implementing agency; ensures that cleared reports are uploaded on ADBs website in compliance with the SPS and the Access to Information Policy 2018 requirements and disclosed locally.
• In coordination with HQ safeguards specialists and analyst, contribute to a database of safeguards compliance and external safeguard-related concerns and complaints on ADB-financed projects; work on relevant safeguard aspects such as SPS monitoring, reporting, capacity building; support the strengthening of country safeguard systems and monitor the progress in achieving national safeguards compliance across the region.
• Monitor ongoing assessment of implementation capacity of design and/or supervision of consultant, implementing agency and the regulatory agencies.
• When required, independently liaise, and engage clients, stakeholders, and EAs/IAs on policy dialogue on safeguards aspects, including safeguards compliance status for projects under implementation.
• Provide safeguards implementation support, as required, for projects under processing/preparation and administration for SPSO countries.
• Support results-based country programming operations through contributing to the areas of safeguards and climate change knowledge management, capacity building and development partner coordination in preparation for Country Operations and Business Plans in SPSO countries as needed.
• Support Country Performance Assessment reviews and updating of narratives, ratings, and subsequent policy dialogue with focus on policies for social inclusion/equity, gender equality, social protection and labor, policies and institutions for environmental sustainability and climate change.
• Provide support to the Shared Approach for the Pacific (Regional Cooperation Strategy) through technical assistance implementation in the areas of safeguards knowledge management, capacity building and development partner coordination.
• Provide support and participate, as required, in meetings of the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility Environmental and Social Safeguards Working Group and the Pacific Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group.
• Provide technical support to ADB’s ongoing involvement in the Pacific Solutions Exchange on environmental and social management, social inclusion, and climate change.
• Lead the conduct of sector and thematic work on environment and social sectors, working closely with regional partners and stakeholders, and facilitate and maintain safeguards partnerships with regional institutions and donors.
• Share knowledge and expertise through the preparation of policy briefs and knowledge products in environmental and social safeguards; Contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building for SPSO sub-region.
You will need:
● Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, applied social science, or other related fields; preferably with Master’s degree or equivalent.
● At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the Pacific region with safeguards work, or in a related area of at least 6 years of work experience in projects with ADB or other development sector institutions preferred; and at least 4 years supervisory experience and ability to work collaboratively and constructively in a team.
● Experience working in development in Pacific Island countries, coordinating and working in multi-disciplinary teams.
● Familiarity with Pacific countries, government structures and other institutions.
● Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
● Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Level 3.
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)
Additional Information
This vacancy is a regional staff position with local remuneration package. It is open to nationals and permanent residents residing in the duty station, Fiji Islands, and ADB member countries in the Pacific region such as Australia, Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
About Us
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.
To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.
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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This vacancy is archived.