(Senior) Climate Change Specialist (Climate Change Adaptation)

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) Climate Change Specialist (Climate Change Adaptation) is assigned to the Climate Change team of the Climate Change, Resilience and Environment Cluster (CCRE) within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the Director, Climate Change, and will work with the adaptation team. In addition, you are also expected to work closely with Sectors Group in the Bank particularly the Energy Sector Office, Transport Sector Office, and Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (from water resources perspective), PPFD and other relevant teams within CCRE, such as disaster risk management and environment, considering the multi-dimensional nature of infrastructure resilience and will oversee national and administrative staff.

Your Role

As a (Senior) Climate Change Specialist (Climate Change Adaptation), you will play a leading role in the development and deployment of ADB’s institutional approach on climate adaptation in the context of infrastructure sectors; provision of support to ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) in strengthening the enabling environment for climate resilient infrastructure; and strengthening knowledge and capacity for implementing climate resilient infrastructure systems. You will form a core part of CCRE’s work to help strengthen ADB’s role as the region’s climate bank and achieve bank-wide and departmental climate change strategies, targets, and plans.

You will:

Strategy and Planning

• Lead ADB’s initiative on climate-resilient infrastructure systems to support DMCs improve their enabling environment for pursuing resilient infrastructure through infrastructure planning, strengthened standards and codes, institutional set-up, enforcement mechanism, incentives mechanisms and capacity.
• Support linking the initiative on climate resilient infrastructure systems with wider infrastructure related initiatives being pursued by ADB and regional and global organizations/professional bodies.
• Support in supporting DMCs undertaking adaptation investment planning for infrastructure sectors as part of their National Adaptation Plans and ADB’s wider initiative on Climate Adaptation Investment Planning Program.
• Support ADB’s country programming and pipeline development from climate resilient infrastructure perspective.
• Support the mobilization of financial resources for the initiative on climate-resilient infrastructure systems.

Operational Support

• Provide upstream support to infrastructure-related sector groups of ADB to help identify infrastructure resilience related issues in DMCs, make a case for pursuing climate resilient infrastructure, and use the analysis to undertake wider sector assessments and country partnership strategies of ADB.
• Provide downstream support to ADB’s sector groups to conceptualize and design infrastructure investment projects (energy, transport, water resources) based on understanding of climate risk and to promote innovative solutions for reducing risk (such as through nature-based solutions) and to manage residual risk (such as through early warning system and disaster risk financing).
• Participate in project and technical assistance (TAs) reviews throughout the project cycle to help assure improved quality at entry, oversee, and monitor project performance, and extract lessons learned for the design of new investment and TA projects, and other activities.

Knowledge Sharing

• Develop and maintain suitable ADB internal and external networks to keep abreast of the latest development on climate resilient infrastructure issues with special attention to regional issues including the ability to contribute to wider joint-Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) initiatives on infrastructure resilience.
• Lead the development and dissemination or organization of knowledge on climate-resilient infrastructure systems through webinars, workshops, and conferences, publications, and blogs and internal and external trainings on climate adaptation, with a focus on climate-resilient infrastructure systems.

Staff Supervision

• Take the role of mentor to develop capabilities/potential of reporting staff.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance; and ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in structural engineering, civil engineering, or related fields; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in climate resilient infrastructure including international work experience
• Understanding of DMCs climate change risks and policy and planning processes for adaptation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Practical international experience working in climate adaptation-related topics, preferably in the Asia and Pacific region.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS4 / IS5.

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. 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 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. It may be extended on an exceptional basis for a further fixed period at the option of ADB. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

If you are selected as an external candidate, the appointment may be extended for a period of up to 3 years per extension, or not renewed. In case of extension, staff may continue in the position for another term of up to 3 years.

At the end of the initial period, ADB, as its discretion may: (a) renew a fixed term appointment or assignment, (b) not renew a fixed term appointment.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.