Senior Coastal and Marine Specialist
Job Vacancy | Friday, October 27, 2023
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
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. After the initial fixed period, ADB has the option to renew the appointment for up to three years or allow it to expire. This decision is based on ADB’s overall interest in retaining the skills and experience of the staff for medium-term work program within the respective group, department, or office, while considering the availability of funding sources.
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 DMC clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions.
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 Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development (SG-AFNR) Sector Office, Sectors Group. SG-AFNR will lead the delivery of $14 billion food security ambition, and will introduce innovations, knowledge sharing and champion climate adaptation financing. It will support a high volume of operations including sovereign and non-sovereign projects across ADB’s various regions and relevant practice areas. The position is designed to focus on (i) "(i) sustainable coastal and marine resources management, (ii) coastal and marine resources utilization for food security, and (iii) disaster risk management in coastal areas.
To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.
Job Purpose
The Senior Coastal and Marine Specialist contributes to the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and management issues including food security and sustainable livelihoods as a part of natural capital management and development in developing member countries (DMCs). This position is for SG-AFNR to respond to DMCs' requests to develop and enhance management and utilization of marine and coastal resources, which are underinvested. The position will also help SG-AFNR identify climate mitigation potential of marine resources. This position is expected to strengthen SG-AFNR's ability to address triple crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity towards ADB's food security ambition and climate financing target. The specialist will lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing, and administering loans, technical assistance (TA) projects, and provides relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge for projects. The incumbent will report to the Director in SG-AFNR and may supervise national staff (NS) and administrative staff (AS).
Responsibilities
- Provides high quality technical inputs by updating/undertaking coastal and marine studies and sector work in relevant countries and represents the Natural Capital and Climate Team on missions for Country Partnership Strategies (CPS) and Indicative Country Pipeline and Monitoring (ICPM) Report. Contributes to country programming and leads sector dialogue with government officials of DMCs on coastal and marine issues as well as their relationship to overall natural capital management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Under a One ADB approach, leads processing and administration of subregional and DMC specific loans, grants, and TAs, including complex ones, in the areas of coastal and marine resources, with due attention to a country’s development policies, project impacts on other aspects of natural capital, climate change and/or rural development.
- Provides input and develops interventions in coastal and marine environments that contribute to strategic food security goals and supports sustainable livelihoods. This may include areas such as fisheries and other coastal and marine resources for local consumption or for other markets to support regional food security ambitions.
- Identifies the priority areas and trends in coastal and marine management, including designing projects and initiatives to broaden and deepen the coastal and marine program and project pipeline with careful attention on the intersection of climate change and food security, and identify technical assistance support that ADB can provide in consultation with DMCs and development partners. Potential areas of development include integrated coastal zone management, marine spatial planning and management, adaptation to climate change and sea level rise, coastal and marine ecosystem restoration/conservation among others.
- Under a One ADB approach, supports the development of pure adaptation coastal and marine projects enhancing climate resilience, and preventing maladaptation.
- Under a One ADB approach, works to develop a practice on coastal and marine internally within ADB and with development partners and clients including development of knowledge products, targeted capacity building materials, delivery of capacity building activities and organization of relevant events.
- Develops and strengthens coastal and marine strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities. Responds to relevant external inquiries, as needed.
- Under a One ADB approach, assists AFNR Sector Office and the Sectors Group on its collaboration with the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD), Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD), and Office of Market Development and PPP (OMDP) with guidance on inquiries related to coastal and marine related issues and their relationship to climate change, food security, sustainable livelihoods, and other aspects of natural capital protection and rural development.
- Collaborates and disseminates content on AFNR and Sectors Group operations in marine and coastal management. Leads relevant in-house studies and seminars and prepares reports or knowledge products on topics crucial to ADB's AFNR and related operations.
- Leads, supervises, and supports reporting staff, including their performance and development.
Qualifications
Relevant Experience & Requirements
- Master’s degree or equivalent in civil engineering, coastal and marine ecology, coastal planning and management, environmental science, marine biology, natural resources economics or related discipline specializing in the coastal and marine resources. Alternatively, a university degree and at least 5 years specialized experience on coastal and marine resources can be considered.
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in coastal and marine resources management and conservation including international work experience working in several countries with preference given for experience in Asia and the Pacific.
- Broad experience in leading the preparation of investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies.
- Demonstrated managerial skills and experience leading professionals, teams, and project missions on technical matters related to coastal and marine resources management and utilization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
- Demonstrated client and results orientation, excellent problem solving skills, and practical experience in knowledge management
Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5.
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.
