Job Purpose:

Lead and coordinate safeguard policy compliance for environment and provide assessment during project implementation. Lead, monitor and report on environment policy compliance. Lead project formulation and implementation to ensure that ADB environment policy requirements are met. Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

1. Guidance and Advisory Function

• Lead and provide day-to-day guidance and advice on environment safeguard compliance issues for the department, and resolution of environment safeguard compliance issues in planning documents, in consultation with the Regional and Sustainable Development Department (RSDD).
• Lead in identifying and resolving environmental issues, particularly compliance risks for complex/sensitive projects, in undertaking activities such as reviewing TA papers, participating in selected due diligence missions, etc., and categorizing projects/programs.
• Lead in advising clients on the improvement of environment policy compliance documentation.
• Lead Project Team Leaders in complying with environment policies and practices in project implementation.
• Lead and coordinate closely with other safeguard specialist (i.e., involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples) within the department and across ADB in ensuring relevant safeguard compliance documentation.

2. Safeguard Policy Compliance Monitoring

• Lead and monitor environment safeguard policy compliance of projects during implementation and review implementation issues, undertaking activities such as conducting review missions, etc.
• Lead in identifying, monitoring and reporting on highly sensitive projects in the context of environment safeguard policy, coordinating where necessary with other safeguard specialists involved in those projects.
• Lead in responding to documentation/reporting requirements of Office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF) and inspection panels.

3. Policy Review

• Participate in ADB-wide environment policy-related activities and initiatives.
• Contribute substantially to environment safeguard Operations Manual (OM) revisions/improvements.

4. Knowledge Generation and Dissemination

• Keep abreast of global developments on the environment, and environment-related issues, policies, guidelines and processes at other multilateral institutions.
• Conduct environment safeguard training programs for professional staff in coordination with RSDD.

5. Staff Supervision

• Take the role of mission leader and supervise the work of mission members.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Natural Resource Management, or related Biological or Environmental Management, or other related fields. University degree with specialized experience on environmental engineering, environment sciences, environmental economics/management, environment and natural resources in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in environmental management
- Familiarity with ADB environment policy, and environment safeguard compliance requirements
- Sound knowledge of policy and regulatory frameworks for environmental assessment and management in DMCs
- Participation as an environment specialist in project processing and administration mission would be an advantage
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- International experience working in development in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills
- Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
- Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
- Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director
• The following staff positions report to the Environment Specialist:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply.