Senior Social Sector Officer

Reference Number	180388
Position Level	NS 4
Department	East Asia Department
Division	PRC Resident Mission
Location	People's Republic of China Resident Mission
Date Posted	Friday, October 12, 2018
Closing Date	Friday, October 26, 2018 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

The application period for this position will close on 26 October 2018, 11:59 p.m., Manila time. All interested candidates must apply through ACES. Only the applications listed in ACES will be processed. For more information and to apply, please visit: http://www.adb.org/careers/180388

This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not apply.

1 of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹ Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first performance review after staff has completed at least one full year in the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new position.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 67 members, 48 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 67 members.

The position is assigned in the PRC Resident Mission within the East Asia Department. The ADB-PRC Resident Mission (PRCM) was established to assist its Headquarters in the implementation of projects and programs, in project processing, country programming, and economic and sector work. It also coordinates ADB's activities with other resident diplomatic and donor missions, NGOs, academic institutions, local think tanks, private sector and other members of the civil society.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior Social Sectors Officer (a) provides in-depth technical expertise and operational support in social sector development in partnership with the host government, external donor agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations, including academia and think tanks, to further improve the quality and coverage of social services; (b) supports ADB's Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and program for the People's Republic of China (PRC), through research and knowledge products that inform policy-makers and civil society about high-priority development issues related to social development, social sectors such as health, education and elderly care, gender and development, and poverty; (c)supports the PRCM in policy dialogue with the government and others on social development issues, policy, and reform; and (d) supports the overall work plan of PRCM with regards to key social sector programs, as needed. The incumbent will report to Country Director and/or designated staff and will supervise Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

·      Provides inputs to the Country Director and relevant staff on critical policy reform initiatives relating to social sectors, and support ADB's Headquarters missions and resident mission (RM) staff in policy dialogue with the Government.

·      Prepares background papers and issues on social sectors as required, and assists in the formulation of ADB's Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), sector assessment, result framework and CPS and Country Operations Business Plan updates as necessary.

·      Participates, as needed, in processing loan and TA projects, and identifying and conceptualizing social development components in loan and TA projects for potential assistance, including proposing relevant policy reforms, contributing to the preparation of project documents, collecting data, and liaising with government officials.

·      Contributes to the capacity building in Government agencies in various sectors targeting their specific needs and to PRCM staff to enable them design and implement projects with significant gender mainstreaming elements and formulate gender strategies, guidelines and action plans.

·     Participate in and contributes to internal and external training and conferences on the social sectors and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.

·     Contributes to the preparation of the annual Country Performance Assessment on social sectors, and briefing materials for ADB Management, as well as for regular publications including the Annual Report and Fact Sheets.

·      Prepares and disseminates knowledge products on topics agreed with the supervisor, and engages in outreach and external relations activities, including to civil society and academia with a view to participating in key policy dialogues and raising awareness of ADB's role and operations in the social sectors.

·      Manage, as needed, selected loan and technical assistance (TA) projects with significant social components, including progress monitoring and assessing development impacts.

·     Contributes to the regional and sub-regional social sector capacity building initiatives, promotes visibility of social development in PRC portfolio and assists in preparing information materials and knowledge products on social development.

·      Strengthens collaboration in social sectors with other development partners, and explores potential areas of collaboration; and Assist in building and sustaining effective relationship with clients to ensure their satisfaction with project progress.

·      Maintains an up-to-date knowledge base of current and future government investment plans, organizational structures, and policies relevant to the social sectors.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

·      Bachelor's degree in Social Science, poverty, gender and development, or related fields, preferably with Master's Degree.

·      At least 10 years related professional experience, and at least 5 years of supervisory experience.

·      Excellent analytical and technical capability in development policy studies, and country and sector economic analysis.

·     Strong conceptual skills and ability to identify issues and appropriate actions.

·     Strong computer skills including word processing and excellent knowledge in the use of statistical software packages.

·     Strong planning and organizing skills to handle a multitude of tasks under given timelines.

·      Ability to make independent decisions and work independently with minimal supervision

·     Sound conceptual and practical understanding of inter-sector linkages in large developing and transition economies.

·     Clear understanding of a multilateral development bank's operational strategies, policies and procedures.

·      Clear and effective written and communication skills in English, preferably with writing and speaking proficiency in the Chinese language

·      Strong cross-cultural skills to interact effectively with government officials and international organizations

·      Excellent and strong analytical skills to be able to supervise junior national and administrative staff in providing administrative and technical support for economic and statistical analysis, producing charts, publications and reports

·      Able to mentor junior national staff and administrative staff to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review

·      Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural team

·      Able to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member

·      Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Levels 3-4.

General Considerations

The selected candidate 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.

This vacancy is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and residents of the People's Republic of China.

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.