Director, Human and Social Development

Description

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in 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 to the Human and Social Development Sector Cluster (SD3-HSD) within the Sectors Department 3 (SD3). 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 General, SD3, Senior Advisor, SD3 and Director General, SARD, and will oversee assigned International and Local staff.

Your Role

As a Director, Human and Social Development, you will oversee human and social development operations as a practice sector director. You will provide technical leadership in education and the synergy between education and social protection sectors, working jointly with all SD3-HSD teams, in collaboration with other sector clusters within and outside SD3, and other departments. You will develop and maintain sector policies, strategies, and operational plans to guide bank-wide work in education and social protection and ensure alignment with ADB’s Strategy 2030 Midterm Review and other relevant corporate strategies. You will oversee sector policy, strategy, and operational plan implementation. You will work with complex issues and guide others in resolving complex problems with high levels of risk. You will support cross sector and thematic group teams to develop knowledge and investments with socio economic impact.

You will:

• Lead, establish, and cascade the education strategies and operational plans to support ADB’s Strategy 2030 Midterm Review and other relevant corporate strategies. Lead in education technical matters, innovations and best practices, working closely with SD3-HSD regional sector directors.
• Guide and support social protection staff in developing and updating social protection strategies and operational plans.
• Strengthen synergies between education and social protection strategies and operational plans within a broader human capital development framework, while leading the adoption of a more integrated approach to skills development, employment, productivity, and inclusion.
• Monitor operations trends against the directions set out by ADB’s corporate documents
• Lead innovation in policy and operational priorities, advance thought leadership, and spearhead forward-looking, institution-wide programs that position the Bank for future business growth and impact
• Work in partnership with sector clusters within and outside SD3 and regional departments, to find solutions to complex development challenges.
• Develop knowledge in new areas and lead flagship knowledge events at global and regional levels. Lead and oversee studies, and publications to produce seminal knowledge as the basis for future operations.
• Provide corporate knowledge support, including reporting, briefing papers, and speeches.
• Ensure that the HSD remains at the forefront of the global development debate on regional issues on education and social protection.
• Manage global and regional knowledge and financing partnerships with donors, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, and the broader development community, while maintaining strong professional networks.
• Work with Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department’s Partner Funds Division in influencing the mobilization of external cofinancing (grants, investments, and concessional loans) and manage relevant financing partnership facilities.
• Contribute to the recruitment and talent management of technical staff across the bank.
• Manage the performance of and provide mentoring to staff. Ensure their ongoing learning and development.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in education, anthropology, sociology, international development, economics, or related fields; or University degree and at least 10 years specialized experience, preferably in skills development.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in developing and managing education sector policies and strategies, and advancing dialogue with sector leaders and practitioners, preferably in the areas of skills development in relation to employment. This includes international experience working in several countries.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-impact global and regional knowledge events in education, and to strengthen knowledge and financing partnerships with international organizations, academia, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership in designing and implementing major policy initiatives and sector strategies, driving innovation in project design and management, and advancing integrated human capital development approaches that link skills development, employment, productivity, and inclusion.
• Excellent command in oral and written communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated experience in leading diverse teams, managing operations, and overseeing knowledge and technical assistance initiatives.
• 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 vacancy is part of the Special Procedures for the Enhanced Selection and Placement for Country Directors (CDs), Deputy Country Directors (DCDs), Regional Directors (RDs), Representatives of Representative Offices (RROs), and Other Selected Managerial Positions. Please refer to the Updated Special Procedures outlined in Attachment 1 to Appendix 1 of AO 2.03 for more details.
• Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion and for lateral transfer must have served at their position for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (A.O. 2.03).
• 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, allow it to expire, or reengage staff to their most recent technical international grade to optimally utilize the Staff’s technical skills under either a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Renew or a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Regularize, with the salary range corresponding to that technical international grade. 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.

If the appointment to this position results in a promotion, Staff on regular appointment shall be required to relinquish their regular appointment by signing an Acknowledgment Form, as an attachment to this application. Staff’s appointment will be converted to a fixed-term appointment for Managerial Positions. Once made, this conversion is final and irrevocable. If ADB does not receive the signed Acknowledgment Form with the application, the application will be considered withdrawn.

If the appointment to this position does not result in a promotion, Staff retains their regular appointment and will be given a Fixed-term Assignment for Senior Staff, subject to Appendix 8 of AO 2.01.

All eligibility rules for housing loans and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply. Any approved housing loan or mortgage interest subsidy prior to the change to fixed-term appointment will continue during the staff’s new appointment under the same terms and conditions as applicable. The outstanding housing loan will be due and payable at the end of employment. All the other eligibility rules apply.

Primary Location: Asian Development Bank-Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila

Department: Sectors Department 3

Division: Human and Social Development Sector Cluster

Staff Category: Managerial International (HQ)

Position Level: M1

Job Posting: 11-Nov-2026, 9:12:06 AM

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - Internal: : 25-Nov-2026, 3:59:00 PM