Senior Education Specialist

Asian Development Bank

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 Education Specialist is assigned in the Human and Social Development Sector Office (SD-HSD) within the Sectors Department 3 (SD3). SD3 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB's strategic agenda in finance, human and social development, and public sector management and governance in the region and with ADB's clients. SD3, which is comprised of three sector offices, delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB's technical leadership externally and internally.

SD-HSD leads policy dialogue, initiatives, and solutions in the human and social development sectors (education, health, social protection, and in broader social development initiatives). SD-HSD is responsible for (i) conceptualizing, processing, and administering lending, grant, and technical assistance (TA) operations; (ii) developing and delivering knowledge services and products to DMCs; and (iii) leading technical work on sector diagnostics and road maps and contributing to business development efforts.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the designated Director, SD-HSD or Senior Director, SD-HSD, and will collaborate closely with colleagues from the RDs. You will oversee junior staff members.

Your Role

As a Senior Education Specialist, you will lead the formulation and articulation of policy and strategies in the education sector in the DMCs. You will also lead in identifying, developing, processing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, and TA projects, and provide relevant stakeholders with necessary technical support and knowledge for projects.

You will:

- Lead the processing and administering subregional and DMC-specific loan, grant, and TAs in the education sector, with due attention to the country's development policies, and the projects' impacts on sustainability and economic growth.
- Lead policy dialogues with government officials and development partners in the education sector in the region, and related issues on strengthening resilience, enhancing skills for the low carbon economy, boosting private sector development and optimizing digital technologies for education.
- Collaborate with other sector offices and departments in ADB to propose integrated solutions in response to DMC needs.
- Work closely with RDs, RMs, and other departments in identifying, developing, implementing, and administering loans, grants, and TAs for the education sector, including conceptualizing new lending projects and programs.
- Continuously assess education sector policies, strategies, and programs with a view of ensuring comparability to international best practices, smart solutions, and technological advances, and responsiveness to development needs of DMCs.
- Provide information and analyses for the development of policy and strategies for the education sector in DMCs in consultation with relevant government agencies and RMs, including taking up diagnostic studies and upstream analysis for ADB partnership programs in the country.
- Identify the priority areas in the education sector and the modality and nature of the required loans and TA support.
- Provide substantive technical inputs and analyses on the education sector and cross cutting issues including governance, public sector management, and decentralization in the context of education sector development for country partnership strategies.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities. Respond to external inquiries as needed.
- Lead in generating and disseminating knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices and country or region specific cross-learning in the education sector.
- Participate in and contribute to internal and external training and conferences on education sector and other activities for advocacy, distribution and knowledge building.
- Lead, supervise, and support reporting staff, including their performance and development.
- Prepare briefing and speaking notes for senior management as and when required.
- Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Mentor junior staff and support their learning and integration into SD-HSD in effective ways.
- Perform other duties as assigned and reflected in staff's workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

- Master's degree or equivalent in education, economics, sociology, international development, or related fields; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position may be considered in lieu of a Master's degree.
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in education, and in project preparation and administration of projects, practical knowledge, and experience in integration of financial, economic, social, institutional, and safeguard requirements and issues in project design and execution.
- Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.
- Broad experience in the preparation of investment projects and analysis of relevant development policies, including knowledge on procurement and consultant recruitment..
- Must have managerial skills and experience leading professionals, teams, and missions for technical matters, projects, decisions in education sector management.
- Deep knowledge of human and social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. Significant expertise within a specific area of ADB's operations (economic, sector, or thematic), or range across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.
- Written and verbal proficiency in English.
- International experience working in several countries.
- 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 position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB's in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce. The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful candidates may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other groups or departments when required.

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. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be renewed for a period of up to three years or not renewed. There is no limit on the number of renewals. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

Multiple Posting Vacancy

- Multiple positions may be filled from this opening.
- Actual position title and grade will be based on your qualifications, experience and job scope that will be assigned to the selected candidates.
- Location – Manila, Philippines

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 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 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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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

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