Reference Number 260795. Position Grade TI1. Department: Sectors Department 1. Division: Transport Sector Office. Location: Asian Development Bank Headquarters, Manila, Philippines. Date posted: 11 August 2026. Closing date: 25 August 2026, 11:59 p.m. (2359 Manila time, 0800 GMT).
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members, 50 of them from the region. Its mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Organisational setting and reporting relationship: The position of Adaptation Solutions Specialist (Transport) is assigned to the Transport Sector Division (SD1-TRA) within Sectors Department 1 (SD1). The post is based at ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and relocation is required; all reasonable relocation expenses will be covered. The role reports to the Director, TRA, has a matrix reporting line to the Director, CCSE, and oversees junior team members.
Your role: You will support the integration of climate adaptation and resilience into transport sector planning, policy, strategy and operations in accordance with ADB's commitment to align operations with the Paris Agreement and with key policies and plans such as Environmental and Social Standard (ESS) 9 on Climate Change under the Environmental and Social Framework, the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2023-2030 and related guidance notes. You will provide technical expertise to ADB's developing member countries and Regional Departments to design and implement resilient transport investments, strengthen transport systems and services, and advance sector policy, institutional, planning and capacity development initiatives, and support knowledge sharing on climate-resilient transport solutions.
You will:
- Support the integration of climate adaptation and resilience into transport sector planning, programming and operations, including inputs to key ADB transport sector strategies and plans.
- Support country and sector dialogue on transport policies, strategies and investment plans, identifying priorities for resilient roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, urban transport and logistics systems, ensuring alignment with countries' Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans and relevant national climate policies, including inputs to country programming exercises and Country Partnership Strategies.
- Lead the preparation and administration of technical assistance projects supporting the planning, design and implementation of transport projects so that climate and disaster risks are addressed in transport infrastructure, services and operations.
- Contribute to the development and processing of sovereign and nonsovereign transport operations by integrating adaptation and resilience considerations into project preparation, appraisal, implementation support and results monitoring.
- Guide the preparation of climate risk and vulnerability assessments for transport sector investments, including estimating climate finance, and use the findings to improve planning, engineering design, adaptation measures, operational performance, maintenance strategies and asset management.
- Manage consultants supporting project teams in analytical studies, designing adaptation and resilience measures and estimating climate finance in transport infrastructure networks or individual projects.
- Participate in project processing and administration missions and advise executing agencies and project teams on resilient transport planning, implementation arrangements, institutional capacity development and integration of adaptation measures in project design.
- Promote practical and innovative solutions to strengthen the resilience of transport networks and operations, including resilient design standards, risk-informed maintenance, traffic and service continuity measures for critical transport links, monitoring systems and nature-based approaches where appropriate.
- Build and strengthen partnerships internally with the climate change and sustainable development department, regional departments, sector groups and the procurement, portfolio and financial management department, and externally with bilateral and multilateral development partners, NGOs, academic institutes and think tanks, to advance transport sector reforms, promote best-practice adaptation solutions and mobilise financing for resilient transport investments.
- Support knowledge generation, capacity building and dissemination of good practices on climate-resilient transport planning, infrastructure design, operations and asset management, and represent ADB in internal and external forums.
Qualifications:
- A university degree in Climate Adaptation, Disaster Risk Management, Transport Planning, Environmental Engineering or a related field; preferably at postgraduate level or equivalent.
- At least 6 years of relevant work experience managing environmental and climate change issues in transport sector projects, preferably in Asia and the Pacific, with international experience working in several countries.
- Demonstrated experience integrating climate adaptation and resilience considerations into transport sector policies, strategies, plans, programmes or investments.
- Demonstrated experience in climate risk and vulnerability assessments and application of findings to transport planning, project design, operational performance and infrastructure management.
- Demonstrated skills working with professionals, teams and project missions and advising clients or counterparts on climate change related technical issues, preferably within the transport sector.
- Familiarity with the operations, policies and procedures of multilateral financial institutions is preferred.
- Ability to share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community, support capacity building and promote exchange of good practices.
- Written and verbal proficiency in English.
- Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required; years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor count as experience outside ADB.
Benefits: ADB offers a competitive salary based on ADB's standards and comparator markets, taking into account qualifications and experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package which may include housing and education allowance, expatriate benefits, retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental), life and other insurance plans, and staff development.
How to apply: apply online through the ADB careers page for vacancy reference number 260795 by the closing date.
Application link: https://www.adb.org/careers/260795