Principal Climate Change Specialist

Job Purpose:

Support the development, coordination and implementation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Climate Change Program. Assist in establishing and implementing ADB’s knowledge services on responses to climate change. Develop and manage financing partnerships with donor countries that support ADB’s efforts on climate change. Represent ADB externally at climate change meetings and conferences. Work with other climate change specialists to support operational teams to enhance the quality of loans, technical assistance (TA) projects, and non-lending products and services in sectors relating to climate change. Key purposes of the position are to: (i) develop and implement innovative services related to climate finance; (ii) broaden and deepen ADB’s operations relating to climate change in Asia and the Pacific by mobilizing additional resources from donors, the private sector, carbon market and special climate change funds; and, (iii) enhance ADB’s visibility through communications, outreach and partnership development. Work within general policies, principles and goals, working directly with clients.

Expected Outcomes

a. Policies, strategy, and frameworks
- Analyze national development policies and programs as well as sector development plans and strategies in developing member countries (DMCs) to identify opportunities for promoting climate-resilient and low-emission development options and priorities.
- Advise governments and ADB operations teams on policies and strategies to mainstream climate change mitigation and adaptation in development planning.
- Track theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations and actions as evolving from the Durban Package of agreements, with special attention to the role of and implications for ADB and DMCs.
- Help team members focusing on climate change adaptation to advise governments and ADB operations teams on strategies and measures to anticipate and minimize future adverse impacts from climate change.
- Ensure proper coordination among regional departments and country offices for exchange of information and experiences, and continuous improvement of climate change policy, planning and implementation practices within the context of clean energy and climate change.

b. Operational advice and support
- Manage expert teams (both staff and TA) and participate in country teams to support the mainstreaming of climate change considerations into Country Partnership Strategies (CPSs)
- Advise DMCs and operational departments on access to and use of climate change concessional funds.
- Support review investments of that may be at risk from adverse impacts of climate change.

c. Project management
- Manage and coordinate various teams supported by TA administered by the Division.
- Ensure key technical, economic, financial and cross-cutting issues are incorporated into TA.

d. Promotion of regional cooperation
- Develop regional strategies and initiate regional projects and programs in consultation with operational departments, national and regional organizations, and international financial agencies including intra- regional exchange of experiences, best practices and lessons.
- Generate support and mobilize additional funding from non-DMC member countries for development of climate-resilient and low-carbon investments and practices in DMCs.

e. Knowledge sharing
- Identify specific areas of capacity building assistance required for mainstreaming climate change mitigation into project and program design.
- Coordinate with other divisions/departments concerning climate change initiatives, in particular enhancing knowledge sharing and collaboration between the Department, Regional Departments and Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD).
- Support senior management and represent ADB in conferences/workshops on climate change-related projects and policies.
- Assist sector specialists in climate change issues and access to special climate change funds.
- Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.

f. Staff supervision
- Participate in and manage multi-disciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of work.
- Ensure cohesion and efficient collaboration between staff and consultants supporting the ADB climate change program.
- Supervise the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent in Energy/Environmental/Civil Engineering, Environmental Economics, Energy/Environmental Policy, or related fields. University degree in Energy/Environmental/Civil Engineering, Environmental Economics, Energy/Environmental Policy, or related fields, combined with specialized experience 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 12 years of relevant professional experience in environment and development policy, clean energy, climate change adaptation, project development or related fields.
- Understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation issues within the development context.
- Understanding of UNFCCC and climate change negotiation history and country policy positions preferred.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
- Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills to articulate and represent ADB’s activities and directions in conferences and workshops, dynamically participate in networks, and interact effectively with ADB management, staff, and counterparts in other institutions.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- International experience working in development in several countries.
- Experience in both research (academia/research institutes) and private sector preferred.

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: Advisor and Head, Climate Change Program Coordination Unit
- The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
- Administrative Staff
- National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.