Senior Adaptation Solution Specialist (Water)

Job Vacancy | Wednesday, December 3, 2025

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Reference Number: 250948

Position Grade: TI2

Department: Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department

Division: Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment Cluster

Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters

Date Posted: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Closing Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

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 Adaptation Solution Specialist (Water) is assigned to the Climate Change, Resilience, and Environment (CCRE) Cluster within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD). CCSD leads thematic operations, knowledge innovation, and partnerships. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the Director, Climate Change and will oversee national and administrative staff.

Your Role
As a Senior Adaptation Solution Specialist (Water), you will play a leading role in the development and deployment of ADB’s institutional approach and strategies on adaptation and resilience in the context of water sector infrastructures such as water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), hydropower, irrigated agriculture, urban drainage, water resources management and flood risk management; provide support to Sector Groups with up-to-date and accurate information, analysis, and assessments needed to make the case for increasing investments in adaptation and resilience in the water sector; provide support and strengthening institutions, knowledge and capacity for implementing resilient water operations.

You will

Strategy and Planning

• Lead ADB’s programs and initiatives on adaptation and resilience to scale up ADB’s investments that maximize resilience outcomes through water-related operations and play a pivotal role in the development and implementation of relevant strategies and programs.
• Support ADB’s country programming and pipeline development (sovereign and nonsovereign) from water infrastructure and resilience perspective.
• Support linking ADB water resilience initiatives with wider initiatives being pursued by ADB and regional and global organizations/professional bodies.
• Support the mobilization of financial resources for initiatives on water resilience.

Operational Support

• Lead and provide technical assistance support to ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) and Sector Groups and Private Sector Operations to conceptualize and design investments in adaptation and resilience in the context of water-related operations based on understanding of risks, preventing maladaptation, promoting innovative solutions for reducing risk (such as through nature-based solutions and efficient use of water resources) and to manage residual risk (such as through monitoring and early warning systems), and targeting social vulnerability.
• Participate in projects and technical assistance (TAs) missions and provide technical support throughout the project cycle to help assure improved quality at entry, oversee and monitor project performance, and extract lessons learned for the design of new investment and TA projects, and other activities.
• Co-lead processing of selected full-adaptation projects (Type 2B) with focus on water resilience.

Knowledge Sharing

• Lead the development and dissemination of relevant knowledge and innovation work and target capacity building on adaptation and resilience in the context of water-related operations.
• Explore opportunities and strengthen partnerships to share global good practices to inform the preparation of ADB resilient investments specifically in the context of water infrastructure development.
• Support ADB to liaise with external development partners including other multilateral development banks (MDBs), knowledge/policy partners, private sector, and civil society with a view to exploring opportunities for external cooperation and knowledge sharing with regard to adaptation and resilience in the context of water sector.
• Represent ADB in international forums and technical working groups on water and resilience.

Qualifications

You will need:

● Master’s degree, or equivalent, in engineering, hydrology, water resources management, natural resources management or other related subjects or relevant fields with significant water sector competence; or University degree in related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
● At least 10 years of international work experience in the field of adaptation and resilience in the context of water-related operations preferably in the Asia and Pacific region.
● Demonstrated experience with water sector adaptation solutions, approaches, and tools to increase resilience and pursue low-carbon development.
● Demonstrated experience of carrying out risk assessments in the context of water infrastructure.
● Demonstrated managerial skills and experience leading professionals, teams, and project missions on technical matters related to water resilience.
● Familiarity with operations, policies, and procedures of multilateral financial institutions is preferred
● Ability to utilize and share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community and support south-south knowledge transfer.
● Must be a strong team player and an efficient negotiator.
● Written and verbal proficiency in English.
● Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TI2.

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 appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years, or up to the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, for the purpose(s) and conditions determined by ADB, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for up to an additional 3 years or not renewed. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including but not limited to the requirement of Staff’s particular blend of skills and experience for the medium-term work program of the organizational unit, sufficient funding to cover the renewed period, and Staff’s performance and suitability for employment. There is no limit to the number of renewals up to NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 members, 50 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 69 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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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