Safeguards Specialist (Social)

Job Vacancy | Tuesday, October 14, 2025

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 Safeguards Specialist (Social) is assigned to the Office of Safeguards (OSFG). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

OSFG has the following five teams: (i) Policy and Technical Services, (ii) Regional Operations Services 1 (Central and West Asia), (iii) Regional Operations Services 2 (South Asia), (iv) Regional Operations Services 3 (Southeast Asia) and (v) Regional Operations Services 4 (Pacific and Interregional PSO) and you will be assigned to one of them depending on business needs and your qualifications and expertise.

You will report to the Director and supervise junior team members.

Your Role

As a Safeguard Specialist (Social), you will contribute to the work of the Office of Safeguards (OSFG) by supporting the implementation of social safeguard requirements. Your responsibilities will include: (i) assisting with the application of social safeguard policies, those related to land acquisition, resettlement, indigenous peoples, and labor; (ii) providing technical support for the preparation and implementation of ADB-financed sovereign and non-sovereign projects; (iii) developing good practice guidance and delivering capacity-building and training activities for ADB staff, borrowers, and clients. You will work within broad policies and goals, working directly with clients and with management for critical tasks.

You will:

• Contribute to the periodic review of ADB's safeguard policy, with emphasis on land acquisition, resettlement, indigenous peoples, and labor.
• Provide technical guidance to ensure implementation and monitoring of ADB's social safeguards policy across sovereign and non-sovereign projects.
• Participate in “One ADB Teams” to conduct safeguard due diligence and support borrowers and clients during project preparation and implementation, including safeguard review missions.
• Guide the quality-at-entry of social safeguard documents and collaborate with safeguards and project teams to ensure meaningful partner engagement and proactive grievance management, including with civil society organizations.
• Support with the management of project complaints and grievance management.
• Support country programming by assessing and advising on country safeguard systems, policy implementation challenges, capacity needs, and opportunities.
• Support knowledge generation and sharing on social safeguards within ADB and with external partners, with a focus on land and asset valuation, resettlement, livelihood restoration, indigenous peoples, poverty and social analysis, gender, vulnerable groups, partner engagement, and grievance mechanisms.
• Strengthen ADB's safeguard monitoring and information systems by enhancing indicators, reporting frameworks, and institutional arrangements.
• Contribute to cross-departmental projects and coordinate on social safeguard policy matters with relevant ADB departments, including Human and Social Development, Gender Equality, and Procurement, Portfolio, and Financial Management.
• Contribute to the integration of social safeguards into sovereign and non-sovereign operations through the skills integration program.
• Provide leadership and support to reporting staff, offering clear direction, regular performance monitoring, and constructive feedback.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's degree in applied social sciences or a related field; alternatively, a university degree combined with at least five years of specialized experience relevant to the position may be considered.
• At least 6 years work experience or relevant professional experience. International experience working in several countries.
• Demonstrated experience addressing cross-cutting environmental and social issues, such as gender, poverty and social analysis, partner engagement, and grievance mechanisms.
• Experience applying a commercially informed approach to implementing safeguard requirements in developing country contexts.
• Skilled in negotiating complex outcomes across multiple levels and partners.
• Established track record in delivering capacity-building projects and training on safeguards-related topics.
• Experience working with multilateral development banks, with solid knowledge of their partner engagement and grievance redress policies.
• Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for Technical International Grade 1.

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.

• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (if applicable)
• Relocation (if applicable)
• Retirement plan
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information

This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may, at the option of ADB, be extended once for up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on its expiration date. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB that: (a) it will require Staff's particular blend of skills and experience in the foreseeable future; and (b) Staff's performance is satisfactory and they are suitable for further employment.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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