Social Development Officer/Senior Social Development Officer

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.

This vacancy is a local staff position. It is open only to nationals and residents of Bhutan.

ADB will be rolling-out its operating model which may result in the change of department/group and/or reporting arrangement(s). By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge and accept the possibility of such changes resulting from the new operating model (NOM).

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 Bhutan Resident Mission (BHRM) within the South Asia Department (SARD). SARD is responsible for providing leadership innovation, lending, project implementation and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work that covers operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. BHRM is supporting the Government of Bhutan's development objective of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Social Development Officer/Senior Social Development Officer will contribute to BHRM operations by leading and supporting activities pertaining to Human and Social Development (HSD), including technical and vocational education and training projects, health, and social development projects (loans, technical assistance grants), knowledge products and services, and associated dialogue with the government, civil society, and development partners. He / she will also play a key role and act as the BHRM focal point for ensuring that appropriate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) priorities and concerns are included in the design of these projects and implemented effectively in line with bank-wide guidelines and procedures for gender mainstreaming and accelerating progress on gender equality across the project cycle in ADB operations. The Social Development Officer/Senior Social Development Officer will assist BHRM in supporting ADB’s strategic objectives related to HSD and GESI, and reflect these in the 5-yearly Bhutan country partnership strategy and the annual country programming exercise, based on which, the 3-year rolling assistance pipeline is updated. He/she will have to design and administer TA projects, provide inputs for relevant project documents, and background papers, and periodically, prepare development effectiveness briefs highlight the HSD and GESI dimensions of ADB’s Bhutan program. The selected candidate will report to a designated International Staff and may supervise Administrative Staff. He/she is expected to work closely with HQ staff, particularly those from the HSD group and Gender Equality Division (CCGE).

Responsibilities

• Supports Country Director BHRM, ADB’s HQ missions, and BHRM staff on critical initiatives related to the HSD sector and ADB’s gender equality agenda. • Supports effective implementation of GESI goals in all sectors while monitoring key policy reforms and action plans on relevant GESI aspects of ADB operations in line with bank-wide gender mainstreaming guidelines and procedures. • Assists in the formulation of the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and the update of the 3-year rolling assistance program by (i) providing inputs in the updating of the Country GESI diagnostics of the main sectors, and (ii) providing inputs for the poverty and social analysis, and sector and thematic roadmaps. • Assists in processing and implementing loans and TAs focusing on HSD and GESI, including gender equality and women’s empowerment. • Designs and administers stand-alone projects, as required, to enhance the social sector as well as social development and gender equality results of ADB operations. • Maintains regular contact with the government agencies and identifies capacity development needs for potential support for HSD and GESI to government’s executing and implementing agencies. • Monitors the process and progress of assigned projects, maintains up-to-date information on portfolio performance (including annual and quarterly projections and their implementation support, quality and sustainability of outputs, and other indicators) and ensures regular follow-ups, including with respect to tracking implementation of project GESI/Gender Action Plans. • Participates in quarterly portfolio reviews and the annual program portfolio review missions, assesses and analyzes the project status, identifies current and potential issues, and proactively takes corrective and preventive measures to address those issues. • Produces reports on all the tasks undertaken in relation to the above and contributes to the finalization of knowledge products, in particular background and issues papers on HSD and GESI issues based on identified emerging and promising practices. • Strengthens collaboration with other development partners in areas directly and/or indirectly related to social sectors and GESI, explores potential areas of collaboration and assists in building and sustaining effective relationship with clients to ensure their satisfaction with progress of project implementation and GESI actions. • Performs other tasks as assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, sociology, gender and development studies, public policy, social work, TVET, public health, or related fields; preferably with Master’s degree or equivalent. • At least 8 years of relevant work experience in project formulation and project management focusing on HSD and GESI in the government or with any bilateral or multilateral agency or with an NGO or a development consulting firm; and at least 4 years of supervisory experience. • Good understanding of Bhutan’s development priorities and socio-economic challenges, and of the main government programs focusing on HSD and GESI. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. • Ability to handle tasks independently. • Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets software and information technology. • Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork and ability to develop rapport internally and externally in a multicultural environment. • Ability to work collaboratively with others as a constructive team member. • Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Levels 2 - 3.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration for this vacancy 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 only hires nationals of its 68 members.

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.

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