Principal Social Development Specialist

Job Description - Principal Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development

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 Principal Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development) is assigned to the Gender Equality Division (CCGE) within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CCSD). CCSD leads thematic operations, knowledge innovation, and partnerships. You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to Director, Gender Equality and will oversee national and administrative staff, and junior international staff.

Your Role

As a Principal Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), you will be responsible for providing high-level leadership and senior technical oversight on mainstreaming gender equality and women's empowerment all aspects of ADB corporate policies, operations, knowledge and partnerships. You will help ensure the implementation of bank-wide standards on gender mainstreaming in sovereign and nonsovereign operations. You will provide knowledge leadership through cutting-edge knowledge work on priority and emerging gender equality issues in Asia and the Pacific that influence and support future ADB operations in developing member countries (DMCs). You will extend management support to the Director, CCGE, including acting on her behalf as officer-in-charge in her absence as required.

You will:

Policy and Systems

•    Assist Director, Gender Equality in advancing ADB's policy, corporate and strategic commitments on gender equality and women's empowerment, including liaising with relevant ADB departments in the monitoring and reporting on corporate gender-related targets and initiatives, including the Asian Development Fund's SDG 5 thematic window.

•    Oversee the development and quality of CCGE contributions to ADB corporate reports, including Annual report, Development Effectiveness Report, and other relevant key publications.

•    Provide high quality technical advice for mainstreaming gender equality and women's empowerment across all aspects of ADB sovereign and nonsovereign operations, notably country partnership strategies (CPS), programming and project quality assurance.

Project Preparation and Administration

•    Lead (as assigned team member or peer reviewer) mainstreaming of gender equality and women's empowerment in project design, implementation and completion.

•    Lead development and implementation of technical assistance projects (TAs) on current and emerging gender issues to influence and support innovative gender equality and women's empowerment designs across ADB operations and knowledge initiatives.

•    Act as a CCGE focal for sector, themes, regions or the private sector, as assigned, and coordinate with counterpart focals in other divisions/departments.

Partnerships, Knowledge and Capacity Building

•    Build and maintain partnerships and networks, including with bilateral and multilateral agencies, trust funds and nontraditional donors, DMC governments, think tanks, academia and civil society organizations (CSOs), focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. 

•    Provide leadership on external policy engagement and thought leadership on a range of gender equality topics and represent CCGE at external knowledge events as assigned. 

•    Lead or contribute to the development of gender knowledge products (e.g., research reports, toolkits, policy briefs, case-studies, blogs) and design and delivery of knowledge events and/or capacity development on gender equality with internal sector/thematic teams and external partner clients.

Management Support

•    Provide senior-level support to Director, Gender Equality in gender-related corporate initiatives, quality assurance, data management and cross-divisional and departmental coordination. 

•    Prepare and deliver management briefings on gender-related topics as required. 

•    Provide guidance and mentoring to more junior staff, including supervising the performance, ongoing learning and development of assigned reporting staff.

•    Perform any other tasks that may be assigned by the Director, Gender Equality.

You will need:

●    Master's degree or equivalent in social sciences, international development, public policy or other related fields, including an emphasis on gender and development; or University degree in relevant fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.

●    At least 12 years work experience in gender and development, preferably with field-level experience of mainstreaming gender equality and women's empowerment into country/regional operations. 

●    Demonstrated expertise in building capacity for implementing gender equality initiatives with stakeholders from the private sector, government and other development partners, including CSOs. 

●    Demonstrated experience in leading innovative knowledge products or initiatives in gender equality and women's empowerment (including events). 

●    International experience working in several countries with a multilateral development bank or other international development organization. 

●    Proven experience in effectively managing budgets and teams.

●    Proven experience in donor relations and partnership development.

●    Written and verbal proficiency in English.

●    Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TI3.

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 (for international staff)

·       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 69 members, 50 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.

: Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila

Department: Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department

Division: Gender Equality Division

Staff Category: Technical International (HQ)

Position Level: TI3

: 05-Dec-2025, 3:29:21 PM

: 19-Dec-2025, 3:59:00 PM