Director, Human and Social Development
Job Vacancy | Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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- Reference Number 250767 Position Level M1 Department Sectors Department 3 Division Human and Social Development Sector Office Location Asian Development Bank Headquarters Date Posted Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Closing Date Wednesday, October 1, 2025 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila Time, 0800 GMT)
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 Director, Human and Social Development is assigned in the Human and Social Development Sector Office (SD3-HSD) within Sectors Department 3 (SD3). SD3 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB's strategic agenda in the region and with ADB's clients. The 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.
SD3-HSD leads policy dialogue, initiatives, and solutions in the human and social development sectors (education, health, and social protection). SD3-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 Senior Director, SD3-HSD and supervise assigned international and local staff.
Your Role
As a Director, Human and Social Development, you will oversee human and social sector operations as a regional sector director. You will lead the planning, implementation, and supervision of the team's vision, goals, strategies, and work plan in support of overall ADB goals. You will articulate and strengthen policies and strategies for human and social sector development, sector reforms, and regional cooperation in these areas. As a member of the management team, you will directly engage these region's DMCs in all aspects of ADB's work in education, health, and social development. You will oversee teams in identifying, developing, implementing and administering investment and TA projects, and will be responsible for planning and coordinating sector policy work, strategies, and technical linkages with other sectors.
You will:
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Ensure delivery of quality sector support to Country Partnership Strategy (policy dialogue, sector diagnostics, roadmaps) and pipeline development, and coordinate implementation of approved sector roadmaps.
Formulate/advise on country and regional work programs.
Lead the sector's knowledge generation and management, and strategy development efforts in the region under responsibility, and contribute to cross-regional sector knowledge generation and management in close collaboration with other directors in the human and social sector office.
Identify regional staffing needs to carry out the near and medium-term work programs, including where specialized expertise will be required.
Assess skills requirements in the sector and prepare skills-development plans to deliver quality solutions to DMCs.
Recommend sector staffing plans and propose teams for projects and initiatives in the region to be approved by the Senior Director.
Guide teams in designing and processing lending, TA, knowledge and capacity building operations, in close coordination with RDs and RMs.
Provide overall quality assurance support to all ADB work in the sector in the region under responsibility to achieve all targets including operational performance metrics on key parameters such as climate financing, gender mainstreaming, and overall value addition and compliance with ADB policies.
Guide and oversee project implementation and portfolio management within the sector, contributing to overall portfolio quality as well as achievement of contract awards and disbursement targets.
Lead and facilitate effective coordination and cooperation with RDs, other sector teams, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, Private Sector Operations Department, and Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership in the design and delivery of appropriate and holistic solutions for clients in the sector.
Provide advice and recommendations on significant developments, emerging opportunities, and challenges in region of responsibility.
Manage the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their on-going learning and development.
Decide on any administrative and operational processes that require director approval and allocation of relevant budgets within the regional unit.
Contribute to the realization of the 4 shifts of the New Operating Model (NOM) in the sector overall and in the concerned regions: climate, private sector development, solutions orientation, and new ways of working shifts.
Qualifications
You will need:
Master's Degree or equivalent, in the human and social development sectors, or other related fields, or University degree and at least 10 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered. International experience working in several countries.
At least 15 years of relevant and recent operational experience within the human and social development sector at senior levels (e.g. managing large teams), with good knowledge of the Asia Pacific region.
Proven record of knowledge generation and management capabilities in at least one of the human and social development sector areas (education, health, social protection)
Proven management and leadership qualities with capabilities to collaborate across multiple teams to create innovative and relevant solutions.
Proven capabilities in people management and talent leadership, strong client and impact orientation, and effective communication.
International experience working in several countries and multiple ADB regions.
Experience in private sector desirable.
Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for M1
Benefits
ADB offers a rewarding salary 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 a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff's Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional fixed term period of up to 3 years or allow it to expire. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB's medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff's skills to those plans, and the staff's managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff's NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff's NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.
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.
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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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