Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist is assigned to the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR) within the Sectors Group (SG). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development, will collaborate closely with colleagues from the Regional Departments and other Sector Offices, and will oversee National Staff and Administrative Staff.

Your Role

As a Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist, you will contribute and lead in the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies on rural development sector in developing member countries (DMCs). The position will lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing and administering loans, grants, technical assistance (TA) projects, and provide relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge for projects.

This role may be designated to lead the portfolio management and be responsible for project reviews to ensure effective implementation, attainment of project and sector/subsector results, and development impact. You will provide oversight and guidance to project teams, specifically in areas of project implementation and development effectiveness, in designing, and processing of loans, grants, technical assistance (TA) projects.

You will:

• Assess AFNR sector development policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions and technological advances, climate needs, and responsiveness to emerging development needs of DMCs. Based on country dialogues, prepare and implement studies to identify the emerging areas in the AFNR sector investment opportunities. Introduce innovative and effective solutions and identify appropriate modalities for ADB’s assistance to DMC(s).
• Prepare, process, and administer regional and DMC specific loans, grants, and TAs in agrifood system transformation, particularly in areas of circular economy, agriculture and rural waste management, management of plastic use and waste in agrifood value chains, regenerative agriculture and net-zero agriculture.
• Identify and introduce innovative solutions in specific loans, grants, and TAs to address water-food-energy nexus and scale up cross-sector approach to invest in food and nutrition security for replication in SG-AFNR and beyond.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners (e.g., universities, international organizations, and private sector entities) related to agrifood system transformation for knowledge and project opportunities, and fully utilize the strategic partnerships to generate new project ideas.
• Work on generating and disseminating knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices, and country or region-specific cross-learning in the AFNR sector in the areas of circular economy, agriculture and rural waste management, management of plastic use in agrifood value chains, regenerative agriculture and net-zero agriculture. Lead relevant in-house studies and knowledge generating and sharing activities and prepare knowledge products, reports, or policy briefs on these emerging areas.
• Take the role of mentor to develop capabilities/potential of reporting staff.
• Supervise and support reporting staff, including their performance and development. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in staff’s workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, food marketing, environmental science/management, agriculture economics, agriculture engineering or other relevant areas; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in circular economy, agriculture and rural waste management, management of plastic use and waste in agrifood value chains, regenerative agriculture, and net-zero agriculture.
• Experience in preparing, processing and administrating projects (i.e., loans, grants, TAs) in the above-mentioned technical areas,
• Experience in coordinating with external partners, such as universities, climate and agriculture-related international organizations, and private companies for knowledge and project opportunities.
• International experience working in several countries and regions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB for ADB Competency Framework for IS5.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

· Paid leave (including parental)

· Medical and health benefits

· Life and other insurance plans

· Staff development

· Retirement plan

· Housing and education allowance (if applicable)

· Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

Additional Information

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of 3 years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. It may be extended on an exceptional basis for a further fixed period at the option of ADB. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This position has been created as part of the Workforce Rebalancing Framework, which is a multiyear initiative (2022-2027) aimed at increasing in-house expertise in key operational areas that was previously sourced from consultants through ADB’s technical assistance. The goal is to strengthen in-house expertise to enhance the quality of ADB’s policy dialogue, operations, and knowledge solutions delivery by collaborating closely with developing member country clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts in the advertised area(s) with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions. Staff may undertake short-term assignments in other groups, departments or offices only when the expertise in the advertised area(s) is needed by those groups, departments or offices.

About Us

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.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

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.