Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist

Job Vacancy | Thursday, March 26, 2026

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

While the position of Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist resides with the Agriculture, Food, Nature and Rural Development Sector Office (SD2-AFNR) within the Sector Department 2 (SD2), you will initially be strategically assigned to Indonesia Resident Mission (IRM) within the Southeast Asia Department while supporting SD2-AFNR's operations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, for three years. After this period, and based on business needs, the role might be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines or other Resident Mission. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to Director, Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development and to the Country Director, IRM. You will oversee junior team members.

Your Role

As a Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist you will lead, formulate, and articulate policy and strategies on agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development, engage developing member country (DMC) governments in policy dialogue, and conduct ADB's activities to support agriculture, natural resources, and rural development policy and reforms, and climate change resilience and adaptation activities. You will identify and develop loans, grants, technical assistance (TAs) projects, and non-lending products and services in agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development, particularly those fitting into the Food Systems Transformation (FST) strategies of ADB, and provide technical support and backstopping to other staff.

You will:

• Lead the development of strategies for agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development, in consultation with relevant government agencies and ADB resident missions and aligned with ADB's Operational Approach for Food Systems Transformation in Asia and the Pacific.
• Lead / support the economic and policy analysis for food systems transformation, including agriculture, fisheries, and value chains, while supporting project teams on the economic aspects of irrigated agriculture, water resources management, and flood risk management investments. The position will primarily focus on ADB's operations to Indonesia while also supporting operations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
• Lead the development, processing and administration of loan, grant and TA projects in the agriculture, food, nature, and rural development sector, in response to government demand and sector developments. Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects. Lead One-ADB teams, and collaborate with relevant sector and thematic country focal and resident missions, to ensure quality project design with high readiness and timely implementation and that sector and country strategy and priorities are met.
• Ensure that key technical, social, economic, financial, and crosscutting issues such as nutrition, public goods, natural capital, biodiversity and water use trends, and poverty, are appropriately incorporated into projects. Ensure technical, safeguards, procurement, disbursement, and contract administration issues are resolved timely during loan and TA implementation.
• Represent ADB in meetings and consultations with ADB stakeholders, government counterparts, development and local partners and actively contribute to new or innovative approaches to relevant policy and operational issues.
• Contribute to ADB efforts to promote nature-sensitive [MP4] investments and enhance food security by identifying and designing innovative participatory approaches to environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable agriculture, natural resources, and rural development, and substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
• Contribute to the implementation of Country Partnership Strategy and country operation missions, and provide inputs in formulating a country result framework and profile.
• Collaborate with, and coordinate with, development partners and government agencies on policies, sector strategies, investments, TAs, and co-financing.
• Keep abreast of the latest development in international, subregional, and national best practices for sustainable agriculture, natural resources, and rural development, and participate in and contribute to ADB-wide sector and thematic groups.
• Prepare regular project updates and periodic reporting to supervisor and other project staff, teams, and project administration unit. Regularly coordinate and work closely with other offices to develop innovative and adaptive project designs and pipeline contributions.
• Coordinate with thematic groups and trust funds to explore innovative financing options.
• Contribute to resident mission reporting, management briefs, and sector updates for internal and external meeting.
• Prepare consultant terms of reference and bid documents and coordinate consultant activities as appropriate.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff and consultants, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned as reflected in the incumbent's workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's degree or equivalent in economics specializing in natural resources, agriculture and rural development or other related fields; or University degree in economics combined with at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least of 10 years of relevant professional experience in nutrition, natural resources, agriculture, and rural development projects.
• Strong understanding and practical application of the technical, policy, institutional, and participatory principles of sustainable, integrated natural resources, agriculture, and rural development.
• Strong analytical abilities, multidisciplinary competence, and proven ability to organize, lead, and manage project teams.
• Strong understanding of the capacity development needs of national and local-level agencies in the DMCs.
• Broad knowledge of cutting-edge international and national policies and programs related to nutrition, agriculture and rural development.
• International experience working in development, with substantial experience in the nutrition, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development sectors in several Asian countries; preferably in multiple Southeast Asian DMCs.
• Proficiency in expressing ideas in both spoken and written formats in English.
• Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.
• Please refer to the link of ADB Competency Framework for Technical International 2 (TI2).

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)
• Retirement plan (if applicable)
• 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 position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB's in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce. The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful applicants may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other departments or offices, when required.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew, initially for a period of up to 3 years, or up to the Normal Retirement Date (NRD), whichever comes earlier, for the purpose(s) and conditions determined by ADB, 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 up to an additional 3 years or not renewed. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including but not limited to the requirement of Staff's particular blend of skills and experience for the medium-term work program of the organizational unit, sufficient funding to cover the renewed period, and Staff's performance and suitability for employment. There is no limit to the number of renewals up to 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.

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.

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