Reference Number: 230481

Position Level: IS 5

Department: Sectors Group

Division: Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office

Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters

Date Posted: Thursday, August 17, 2023

Closing Date: Friday, September 8, 2023 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

•  Effective 1 September 2023, the term “Standard Fixed Term Appointment” will be updated to “Fixed Term Appointment with Option to Regularize.”
•  This change does not involve any modifications to the appointment terms.

The position is initially assigned in the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR) within the Sectors Group (SG) at ADB Headquarters, Manila, and after a certain period may involve temporary outposting to a resident mission (RM) if agreed among the staff member, SG and RM.

Overview

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.

The position is assigned in the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR) within the Sectors Group (SG). SG-AFNR will lead the delivery of $14 billion food security ambition, and will introduce innovations, knowledge sharing and champion climate adaptation financing. It will support a high volume of operations including sovereign and non-sovereign projects across ADB’s various regions and relevant practice areas.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist will lead, formulate, and articulate policy and strategies on agriculture, natural resources, and rural development, engage developing member country (DMC) governments in policy dialogue, and conduct ADB’s activities to support agriculture and rural development policy and reforms, and climate change resilience and adaptation activities. He/She will lead in identifying and developing loans, grants, technical assistance (TAs) projects, and non-lending products and services in agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development and provide technical support and backstopping to other staff. The incumbent will report to the Director of SG-AFNR and he/she will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.Responsibilities

•  Leads the development of strategies for agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development in Viet Nam, in consultation with relevant government agencies and VRM.
•  Represents agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development sector group in the Viet Nam country management team.
•  Leads in the development, processing and administration of loan, grant and TA projects in the agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development sector in Viet Nam and other DMCs, and ensures key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects.
•  Contributes to ADB efforts to promote rural development and enhance food security by identifying and designing innovative participatory approaches to environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable agriculture and rural development, and substantially contributes to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
•  Contributes to Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and indicative country pipeline and monitoring report (ICPM), and provides inputs as required in formulating a country result framework and profile. Leads preparation of sector result framework and profile for the agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development sector of Viet Nam.
•  Liaises with and coordinates with development agencies on policies, sector strategies, investments, TAs, and co-financing.
•  Keeps abreast of the latest development in international, subregional, and national best practices for sustainable agriculture and rural development, and participates in and contributes to ADB-wide sector and thematic groups.
•  Performs other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

•  Master’s degree or equivalent in economics or engineering specializing in agriculture and rural development or other related fields; University degree in economics or engineering or other related fields combined with at least 5 years specialized experience in similar organization/s can be considered.
•  At least of 10 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture and rural development projects.
•  Strong understanding and practical application of the technical, policy, institutional, and participatory principles of sustainable, integrated agriculture and rural development.
•  Strong analytical abilities, multidisciplinary competence, and proven ability to organize, lead, and manage project teams.
•  Strong understanding of the capacity development needs of national and local-level agencies in the DMCs.
•  Broad knowledge of cutting-edge international and national policies and programs related to agriculture and rural development.
•  International experience working in development, with substantial experience in the agriculture and rural development sectors in several Asian countries; preferably in multiple Southeast Asian DMCs.
•  Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
•  Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. The actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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 who are nationals of ADB member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.