Water Resources Specialist (Flood Risk Management)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION :

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of three (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. After the initial fixed period, ADB has the option to renew the appointment for up to three years or allow it to expire. This decision is based on ADB’s overall interest in retaining the skills and experience of the staff for medium-term work program within the respective group, department, or office, while considering the availability of funding sources.

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 (SG-AFNR) Sector Office, Sectors Group (SG). SG aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in the region and with ADB’s clients. The SG, which is comprised of seven sector offices, supports the delivery of sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RD) and resident missions (RM) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally.
SG-AFNR leads initiatives to promote food security, scale up natural capital investment, and develop inclusive and green agrifood value chain. The office introduces innovations and solutions, facilitates knowledge sharing, champions climate adaptation financing, and supports a high volume of operations across ADB’s various regions and relevant practice areas.

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 DMC clients. Expected candidates are seasoned experts with strong field experience who can lead policy dialogue and project work with emphasis on providing knowledge solutions.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Water Resources Specialist (Flood Risk Management) will focus on flood risk management and other climate adaptation and resilience for water operations by (i) leading the identification, development, processing and evaluation of loan, grant, and technical assistance (TA) projects in developing member countries (DMCs); and (ii) ensuring technical soundness, economic and financial viability, sound social and environment safeguards, and consistency with ADB policies and strategies. The incumbent will also administer loan, grant and TA projects, and non-lending products and services. The incumbent will contribute to the analyses and formulation of policies, strategies, and technical guidelines of DMCs. The incumbent will report to Director, SG-AFNR and may supervise National and Administrative staff.

Responsibilities
• Leads the identification, design, development, appraisal and processing of loan and TA water resources projects (i.e. flood risk management, integrated river basin management, drought management, and other climate adaptation and resilience water operations) consistent with Strategy 2030 Water Sector Directional Guide: A Water-Secure and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, Climate Change Action Plan, 2023–2030, and other thematic priorities.
• Supervises consultants (individual and firms), ensuring consistency and conformity to ADB standards; and evaluates studies and sector-related project documentation.
• Leads analytical studies and policy analysis relevant to water resources management with a focus on increasing adaptation and resilience of investments and review development and implementation of effective adaptation policies, strategies and measures in the water sector.
• Identifies emerging issues on water resources development and management, and assess the interactions between climate change/water development vis-a-vis other sectors in order to mitigate negative interactions and harness synergies.
• Contributes to the relevant community of practices in identifying investment opportunities, shares innovations and knowledge, formulates strategies for by promoting river-basin based landscape approach, nature-based solutions, digital innovation and technology, climate-food-nature nexus, and upstream – downstream river basin management.
• Provides technical inputs for country programming and contribute to the development of Country Partnership Strategies, including preparing AFNR sector assessment, strategy and road map, and developing pipeline of loan and TA projects centered around climate adaptation and resilience in water resources.
• Leads missions and other activities for the administration of loan, grant and TA projects and provide technical advice to government implementation units.
• Leads project team and ensure quality at entry of project documents.
• Liaises and collaborates with other development partners in addressing water resources development, management and climate change resilience and adaptation.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.
 

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements
• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in water resources, hydrology, civil or environment engineering or related fields from an accredited university. Alternatively, university degree in related fields combined with at least 5 years relevant professional experience can be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience related to planning, engineering, implementation and coordination of projects in water resilience and adaptation.
• Experience with multi-sectoral teams is particularly desirable.
• Familiarity with climate, hydrologic and hydrodynamic modeling and remote sensing technologies would be an advantage.
• Ability to write effectively, particularly technical papers and studies.
• Experience with development partners funded projects and with the government agencies/institutions responsible for implementing such projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• High level of energy, initiative, and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements.
• Good external client relations skills.
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff level IS4.

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. 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 to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities.

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

Information

• Location: Manila, Philippines

Industry experience

Education: Masters

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Years of experience: 10 to 20 years

Taxonomy

• Flood Management
• Flood management
• Flood Risk Management
• Urban Drainage & Flood Risk Management