Social Sector Specialist

Formulate and articulate social sector policy and strategies, engaging Developing Member Country (DMC) governments in policy dialogue, and conducting ADB’s activities to support social sector policy and reforms, with a primary focus on higher education and technical vocational education and training (TVET), as well as public resource management (education and health), and achievement of millennium development goals (MDGs). Identify, develop, implement and administer loans, Technical Assistance (TA) projects, and non-lending products and services (NLPS) in the social sectors. Work within broad policies and objectives, working directly with clients, with supervision for critical tasks.

a. Strategy and Planning
- Support the development of policy and strategies for the social sector in DMCs, including higher education, TVET, and health (MDGs), in consultation with relevant government agencies and ADB’s Resident Missions (RMs).
- Conduct dialogue with government officials of DMCs on social sector policy and reforms.
- Participate in country teams and provide sector inputs for the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).
- Coordinate with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of social sector policy commitments to the management of projects.

 

b. Project Management
- Develop, process and administer loan and TA projects in the social sector with a primary focus on higher education, TVET and MDGs.
- Liaise with and coordinate with development agencies on program loans and investment projects.
- Ensure key social sector and crosscutting issues (with a focus on gender) are incorporated into projects and programs.

 

c. Knowledge Sharing
- Develop and maintain a suitable network in the social sectors to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues.
- Lead and substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around social sector issues.

 

d. 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.

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in social sectors or other related fields; or University degree and at least 5 years ADB work experience

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in social sectors and in project administration. Experience in higher education and TVET is preferable.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• International experience working in development in several countries, with significant experience in ADB’s DMCs. Experience in the CWRD region is preferable.

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Regularly shares knowledge on new international best practice trends in comparator situations
• Proactively applies relevant international best practices to own work
• Convinces others to adopt international best practice by explaining the situational relevance and benefits

 

Client Orientation

• Helps colleagues work effectively with clients in different contexts and from diverse backgrounds and country situations
• Adapts own approach and style when interacting with clients, as opposed to requiring them to adapt
• Draws upon international best practice in exploring solutions with clients
• Confirms the clients’ understanding and agreement before progressing

 

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Draws on own and others’ multi-country experience to identify viable courses of action when conducting analyses
• Helps internal and external clients achieve quality results beyond presenting problems and precedent
• Highlights possible solutions for project issues based on relevant multi-country and/or multi-client experience
• Regularly contributes insights and experiences to colleagues in the Division to help them achieve quality results
• Overcomes unexpected difficulties and challenges to produce desired outcomes

 

Working Together

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
• Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
• Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

 

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Checks the audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

 

Innovation and Change

• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Division initiatives on which one works
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area

• Supervisor: Director, Public Management, Financial Sector and Trade Division.
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply