Communications Specialist/Senior Communications Specialist (Climate Change)
Job Vacancy | Friday, April 14, 2023
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 Media and External Relations Division (DCMD) within the Department of Communications (DOC) and will be strategically placed in the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Division (SDCD) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC).
DOC provides leadership, strategies, and resources for communicating with internal and external audiences. DOC is the focal point for all internal communications and public information activities including building relations with employees, media and managing ADB’s digital presence and publishing program. DOC’s overarching goal is to build ADB’s brand as the premier and preferred development partner in Asia and the Pacific. DCMD oversees the Department’s external relations functions including media relations, corporate communications, and project communications.
The Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Division (SDCD) leads the Bank’s work in responding to the growing need for innovative policies, institutions, and investments to lead the region to a low carbon, climate and disaster resilient future; and supports ADB’s operational departments to develop and implement climate and disaster resilience projects, integrate disaster risk and climate change considerations into their broader portfolio of projects, and access climate financing.
The position title upon appointment is “Communications Specialist/Senior Communications Specialist”.
Job Purpose
The Communications Specialist/Senior Communications Specialist (Climate Change) will provide communications support to ADB on all areas supporting the whole of economy and society transformations necessary to mitigate and adapt to climate change. He/she will lead, develop, and implement internal and external communications strategies for ADB’s climate change programs and initiatives, and will work across teams within DOC and SDCD to strengthen the internal and external communications for climate change.
The incumbent will have a primary reporting arrangement to the Director, DCMD, for functional oversight and secondary reporting arrangement to Chief of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) Thematic Group concurrently Director, SDCD for content of communications. He/she will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.
Responsibilities
- Develops and implements a communications strategy to drive a shared understanding of ADB’s efforts on all areas supporting the whole of economy and society transformations necessary to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Implementation includes:
- strategy development, monitoring, and revision;
- advisory support on interaction with relevant stakeholders including through seminars, media interviews, briefings, press conferences, etc.;
- advisory support on crisis communications;
- planning and production of external relations content to support communications strategy objectives including social media and other digital content, key messages, talking points, blogs, opinion articles, news releases, statements, feature articles, etc.
- Provides support and expertise in developing and implementing communications plans for major knowledge products, events (COP28), and related activities.
- Delivers tactical communications plans, develops key messages for target audiences, and manages climate communication initiatives and campaigns, including support to strategic fund raising for corporate priority climate initiatives.
- Builds strong relationships across ADB’s communication programs to ensure alignment between internal and external messaging.
- Establishes baselines for measuring the effectiveness of communication activities and engagement strategies.
- Establishes and implements standards for communicating around climate change, low-carbon and climate-resilient economies and societies that reflect international best practice.
- Provides communications support to other DOC and climate change team members for Management-level participation in high-level events.
- Supports the tracking and communications on key global climate change issues/developments including agreements made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change such as the Paris Agreement and provides internal briefings on a regular basis.
Qualifications
Relevant Experience & Requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, International Development, Environment, Climate Change, or related fields. Alternatively, a university degree in related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
- At least 8 years of relevant working experience.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of development and communication issues in the Asia-Pacific context and significant experience developing and implementing complex strategic communications initiatives in large organizations.
- In-depth understanding of climate change science, international framework, international and national policies, and key stakeholders; and in-depth understanding of climate change communications.
- Deep knowledge of the work of international development organizations is desired.
- Experience working with ADB is preferred.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
- Please refer to the links to ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Levels 4 and 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. The 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 the qualifications of the selected candidate.
