Principal Environment Specialist

Job Description - Principal Environment Specialist (250296)

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.

The position of Principal Environment Specialist is assigned to the Climate Change, Resilience and Environment Cluster (CCRE) within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to Director, Environment and will oversee junior team members.

Your Role

As a Principal Environment Specialist, focused on biodiversity and ecosystem management, you will be responsible for leading one of the key pillars of the Environment team and make contributions to ADB's Organizational Resilience by providing expert advice, technical support, and strategic guidance on biodiversity and ecosystem management, including conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of biodiversity and natural resources.

You will:

1. Strategic development
   • Provide strategic leadership in expanding the scale and scope of the biodiversity and ecosystem management portfolio at ADB, including guiding development and implementation of relevant approach papers, operational plans and other strategic documents supporting nature-positive and nature-mainstreaming investments.
   • Lead and promote scientific approach underpinned assessments and diagnostics related to biodiversity and ecosystem management initiatives at ADB in coordination with sector groups and other teams. Such assessments will include economic and climate impacts and benefits of biodiversity and ecosystems.
   • Provide technical support to the preparation of country or sub-regional assessments that inform Country Partnership Strategy and country programming consultations leading to pipeline development on nature-positive and nature-mainstreaming investment opportunities across sectors.
2. Technical leadership and support
   • Lead on the development and implementation of relevant technical assistance related to biodiversity and ecosystem management, and support sector groups and others in developing and implementing related operational programs and projects. Provide technical expertise and work with colleagues to ensure that goals and strategies in biodiversity and ecosystem management are taken up by project teams, and informed by, the best available natural and social science, providing scientific and policy-relevant expertise and promoting innovative research and synthesis of research.
   • Provide technical expertise and work in developing financial mechanisms to scale investments on nature positive projects related to biodiversity and ecosystem management in coordination with the Finance Sector Office, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, Treasury Department, Office of the General Counsel, and others. This may include biodiversity bonds and credits, Debt for Nature Swap, Sustainability-linked financing and others.
   • Process and implement regional technical assistance projects to promote regional cooperation and deliver global and regional public goods related to the environment.
   • Promote One ADB approach to work in partnership with regional departments, resident missions, sector groups, private sector and other departments to find collaborative solutions to complex development agenda issues to integrate environment.
   • In coordination with results measurement leads, support development of metrics, tracking and reporting frameworks for ADB environmental sustainability projects and strategic program.
3. Knowledge Management
   • Review, synthesize, and disseminate the most relevant scientific knowledge, and in coordination with knowledge management leads develop knowledge products, services, and partnerships to promote environmentally sustainable growth, environment mainstreaming in ADB operations.
   • Develop capacity development programs and training sessions for project staff and stakeholders on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable practices. Support the organization and delivery of knowledge sharing/learning events.
4. Partnership
   • Manage and selectively establish new global/regional partnerships (MDBs, donors, UN agencies, private sector, academia, NGOs/CSOs and other development partners) to enhance ADB and country knowledge and best practices on environment.
   • Provide corporate knowledge support, including reporting, briefing papers, speeches, talking points and support corporate initiatives on the environment.

You will need:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or related fields or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience, including international work experience in the Asia-Pacific region.
• International experience working with several countries.
• Demonstrated expertise on biodiversity and ecosystem management and its application within a development context.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of international science and/or policy processes on biodiversity and ecosystem management.
• Ability to perform effectively as a mission leader or team lead, exercising supervision, coordination, and planning responsibilities over multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to mentor team members, providing guidance and advice on project or technical-related matters.
• Proven analytical, conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

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)

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.

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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.

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