(Senior) Climate Change Specialist (Just Transition)
Job Vacancy | Tuesday, April 25, 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
ADB has an ongoing organizational review which may result in the change of department/group and/or reporting arrangement(s). By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge and accept the possibility of such changes resulting from the organizational review.
This is a special fixed-term appointment for a period of three (3) years following Section 3.1 (c.) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. It may be extended on exceptional basis for a further fixed period at the option of ADB. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.
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 Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Division (SDCD) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC).
SDCC provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. 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 operations departments (ODs) 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.
To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.
Job Purpose
The (Senior) Climate Change Specialist (Just Transition) will play a leading role in the development and deployment of ADB’s institutional approach on just transition; operationalizing the just transition working group; implementation of ADB’s just transition support platform for DMCs; development of institutional knowledge on just transition; and integration of just transition into policies, programs, and projects and development of just transition operations. This will form a core part of SDCD’s work to help strengthen ADB’s role as the Climate Bank of Asia and the Pacific and to achieve Bank-wide and departmental climate change strategies, targets, and plans. The specialist will report to the Chief of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) and concurrently Director, SDCD and will work with the mitigation team receiving guidance from the mitigation team lead. In addition, the specialist is also expected to work closely with thematic and sector groups in the Bank particularly the Gender Equality Thematic Group, the Social Development Thematic Group, the Education, Energy, and Transport Sector Groups, and other relevant teams considering the multi-dimensional nature of the just transition agenda. The position will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff,
- Contribute to the development of ADB’s institutional approach on just transition, working as part of the core team and engaging with relevant agencies to integrate Just Transition into relevant strategies, policies, commitments and plans.
- Lead ADB’s technical assistance for Just Transition
- Work with regional and support departments to integrate just transition into operations including consideration of just transition in the country partnership strategies and indicative country pipelines, project/program development and lead the development of associated financing mechanisms and fund mobilization.
- Lead development of Just Transition technical materials, capacity development and relevant internal and external engagements.
- Support development of just transition investment initiatives with other relevant groups.
- ensure close coordination between the just transition agenda and other parts of ADB’s climate change agenda to ensure alignment and integration.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Planning
- Work with staff assigned from SDCD, Social Development Thematic Group, Education Sector Group, and Gender Equality Thematic Group to develop ADB’s operational approach and/or framework for Just Transition including analytical work, internal/external consultations, presentations, and liaison with management.
- Serve as core team member for the development of ADB’s institutional approach on just transition including co-leading the design process, organizing consultations, and approval.
- Assess just transition issues facing ADB’s DMCs and identify entry points for ADB support including upstream support through ADB’s Just Transition Support Platform, and downstream operations that can be supported through regional departments. Take a leading role in the development of ADB’s Just Transition Support Facility through a consultative internal and external process, building on work under the Just Transition Support Platform and responding to identified needs in ADB DMCs.
- Support the engagement and reporting under the just transition workstream of ADB’s Climate Action Coordination Committee
- Engage with national and regional agencies to lead and/or facilitate dialogue on just transition and its inclusion, and links to, climate change policies and plans including, but not limited to, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Long-term Strategies (LTSs), National Adaptation Plans, relevant sector strategies and policies.
- Work closely with teams working on other aspects of upstream support for climate action, including team supporting NDCs, LTSs, green growth strategies, low-carbon development plans, National Adaptation Plans, and other relevant polices to ensure coordinated approaches and integration of just transition.
- Support the consideration of just transition in the country partnership strategy process in relevant countries including as part of upstream analysis and relevant sector assessments.
- support country programming and pipeline development and the preparation of projects and programs related to just transition.
- Take a leading role to develop internal capacity and understanding of just transition in ADB as part of a holistic and systemic approach to addressing climate change, including sharing information, tools, good practices, emerging issues, and experience.
- Develop technical materials and capacity development activities contributing to enhance learning/awareness on just transition to support ADB and clients to scale up just transition activities.
- Support the mobilization of internal and external finance for just transition by identifying potential sources and developing proposals and managing the associated due diligence.
- Lead development of financing mechanisms and fund mobilization efforts for just transition.
- Provide technical inputs and support internal and external engagement on just transition including reporting to ADB Management (President, Vice Presidents, and the Managing Director General) and managers of relevant departments and participation in joint MDB activities.
Project Management
- Manage implementation and further development of ADB’s technical assistance on Just Transition Support Platform.
- Manage the process for developing ADB’s Just Transition Support Facility.
- Manage ADB’s Just Transition Working Group including preparatory materials, meetings and facilitating decision making.
- Participate in project and 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 just transition and climate change development issues with special attention to regional issues.
- Represent the department in ADB-wide working groups, cross-departmental meetings, seminars, and events on just transition.
- Contribute to internal and external training and conferences on just transition, and other relevant activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge sharing.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to teams both within ADB and government counterparts to support the agenda of mainstreaming just transition across ADB and DMC investments.
- Represent ADB at international forums and establish and maintain productive dialogue and relationships with key stakeholders.
- Support external engagement and discussions on just transition with development partners, e.g., International Labor Organization.
- Work in close collaboration with the staff and consultants in the Gender team, Social and education sector team to develop just transition investment initiatives.
- Ensure close coordination between the just transition agenda and other parts of ADB’s climate change agenda to ensure alignment and integration.
- Work together with the Department of Communication’s climate change focal to identify relevant media worthy initiatives.
Staff Supervision
- Create and lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of their work.
- Supervise the performance of teams and individuals, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
Qualifications
Relevant Experience & Requirements
- Master’s degree, or equivalent in economics, public policy, social science, or related fields. Alternatively, university degree in related fields combined with at least 8 - 10 years specialized experience relevant to the position.
- At least 1 to 2 years’ work experience on just transition and 8 to 10 years of work experience, including international level, in the development, design and management of climate change projects and project development work.
- Understanding of climate change analysis and policy, including international climate change negotiation history, set-up of global frameworks, and country policy positions as well as national climate policy implementation arrangements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
- Practical international experience working in a development context, preferably in the Asia and Pacific region.
- Strong multidisciplinary competence combined with substantial and demonstrated expertise of applying climate change adaptation or low-carbon considerations within one or more specific sectors/area.
- Familiarity with operations, policies, and procedures of multilateral financial institutions is preferred.
- Ability to utilize and share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community and support south-south knowledge transfer.
- Must be a strong team player and an efficient negotiator.
- Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS4 and IS5.
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.
