Disaster risk management specialist (disaster risk financing)

Job purpose

Provide intellectual leadership in developing disaster risk finance (DRF) programs within ADB’s integrated disaster risk management (IDRM) framework that combines disaster risk reduction (DRR) with elements of climate change adaptation (CCA) and DRF to provide support to ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) in building up their DRM capacities. Support ongoing development and coordination of ADB’s policies and strategies relating to DRF. Provide support to operations to implement a more proactive risk management approach to disaster management. Apply technical excellence and ensure high quality of all DRF knowledge products, and strengthen the links between the Asia Pacific region and global disaster risk financing networks. Develop regional and national public-private partnerships for DRF. Work with partners to address the market gaps that have hindered the development of DRF in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure increased access to DRF as an essential tool for IDRM. Work with broad policies and objectives, working directly with clients, with supervision for critical tasks.

Expected outcomes

Policies, Strategies and Frameworks

• Support the development, promotion and implementation of an Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRM) framework, especially the disaster risk financing elements, within ADB
• Guide the development and strengthening of ADB's disaster risk financing strategies and practices under the disaster and emergency assistance policy (DEAP).
• Develop and support ADB’s lending services (e.g. through the development of contingent credit products) and the capacity development of DMCs and local markets so as to increase access of DMCs to diverse disaster risk financing at national and local levels.

Operational advice and support

• Lead the development of DRF within an IDRM framework, including providing

- guidance and support to RSDD, regional departments, Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) to identify and develop DRF interventions at country, regional and sector level;
- conduct outreach activities with the private sector and other interested stakeholders to consolidate and coordinate ADB’s DRF approach;
- promote opportunities and capacities for regional cooperation on DRF in collaboration with regional organizations, interested donors, and other development partners,
- support the development of enabling tools such as probabilistic risk assessments to assist in the evaluation of risks in public investments, and of the costs and benefits in reducing risk;
- manage RSDD’s technical assistance projects for DRF.

• Maintain a current operational knowledge of DRF developments, initiatives, and market conditions within the commercial insurance and capital markets. Maintain knowledge of personnel and business developments within the private sector and support efforts to expand ADB’s communication with the DRF marketplace, especially as regards regional departments’ interactions with the private market.
• Research innovative approaches to disaster risk financing to guide the development of DRF within ADB’s IDRM framework and related climate change adaptation activities. Maintain and develop knowledge of, and ensure attention to, DMC disaster management needs and capabilities. Maintain and develop knowledge of a range of DRF tools and solutions including innovative budget reserving, contingent credit, insurance and reinsurance, microinsurance, capital-linked securities (e.g. catastrophe bonds), etc. Maintain and develop knowledge on the enabling elements for disaster risk financing, including risk data and analysis, demand analysis, and policy support.
• Support regional departments and DMCs in identifying contingent liabilities resulting from disaster risks and implement disaster risk financing as an element of ADB’s integrated disaster risk management (IDRM) model – linking disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk financing.
• Provide support and guidance in identifying DRF approaches that leverage incentives for increased investment of public and private resources in IDRM in DMCs.
• Provide support in assessing DRF capacities and needs as inputs for DMC country profiles and country partnership strategies.
• Provide support to Management and senior staff at key IDRM fora; prepare sector briefing notes for Management and the Board, as required.

Knowledge generation and sharing

• Strengthen global and regional partnerships and inter-agency relations; assist in the development of public-private-civil society partnerships; represent ADB as necessary at key international meetings; and prepare and deliver presentations that highlight ADB's work in DRF and IDRM.
• Assist in the development of initiatives and programs to raise the level of DMC understanding of DRF products and markets, and particularly the use of analytic tools to determine the costs and benefits of DRF.
• Enhance ADB's IDRM framework, particularly with respect to disaster risk financing, and disaster risk management and climate change adaptation links.
• Assist in the development and dissemination of knowledge products that further the understanding of issues and solutions pertaining to underlying risk drivers and the opportunities afforded through investment in DRF.
• Assist in the identification and implementation of training programs in disaster risk financing for ADB staff as part of ADB's staff development program; organize internal and external training and briefing sessions on relevant topics; and share information on conferences and training opportunities.

Staff supervision

• Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational requirements

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Public Administration, Economics, Finance, Natural Resource Management or related fields. University degree in Public Administration, Economics, Finance, Natural Resource Management or related fields, combined with specialized knowledge and experience in disaster risk financing and experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant experience and other requirements

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in DMCs with good knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of disaster risk financing.
• Proven analytical, conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Core competencies

Application of technical knowledge and skills

• Regularly shares knowledge on new international best practice trends in comparator situations
• Proactively applies relevant international best practices to own work
• Convinces others to adopt international best practice by explaining the situational relevance and benefits

Client orientation

• Helps colleagues work effectively with clients in different contexts and from diverse backgrounds and country situations
• Adapts own approach and style when interacting with clients, as opposed to requiring them to adapt
• Draws upon international best practice in exploring solutions with clients
• Confirms the clients’ understanding and agreement before progressing

Achieving results and problem solving

• Draws on own and others’ multi-country experience to identify viable courses of action when conducting analyses
• Helps internal and external clients achieve quality results beyond presenting problems and precedent
• Highlights possible solutions for project issues based on relevant multi-country and/or multi-client experience
• Regularly contributes insights and experiences to colleagues in the Division to help them achieve quality results
• Overcomes unexpected difficulties and challenges to produce desired outcomes

Working together

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
• Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
• Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

Communication and knowledge sharing

• Checks the audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and change

• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Division initiatives on which one works
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area