Principal Public Management Economist

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Close relatives¹ of ADB staff, except spouses of international staff, are not eligible for recruitment and appointment to staff positions. Applicants are expected to disclose if they have any relative/s by consanguinity/blood, by adoption and/or by affinity/marriage presently employed in ADB.

¹Close relatives refer to spouse, children, mother, father, brother and sister, niece, nephew, aunt and uncle

Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion must have served at their position for at least one year and must have normally served at their personal level for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date. Applicants for lateral transfer must have served at their position and personal level for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (reference A.O. 2.03, paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9).

In the event that the staff appointed to a new category (i.e. from AS to NS, or from NS to IS) is rated at 2 or lower in the first two performance reviews after appointment at the new level, they will return to the level occupied immediately prior to their appointment in the new category.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 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 68 members.

The position is assigned to the Public Management, Financial Sector and Trade Division (SAPF) within the South Asia Department (SARD). The division is the focal for sector operations in finance and public sector management, supported by good governance practices and standards. In addition to the sector operations, SAPF will take a lead in intersectoral collaborative initiatives within SARD by helping develop capabilities in SARD to develop new and innovative financing sources. The division is also responsible for preparing and developing strategic operational studies across sectors and themes in line with the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and government’s visions.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.Job Purpose

The Principal Public Management Economist leads the identification, design, processing and administration of loans (both program and project loans), technical assistance (TA), and non-lending products and services (NLPS) in the areas of public resource management. Leads policy discussions with the concerned Government officials and contribute to the formulation and articulation of fiscal policies, public management strategies, and regulatory issues for South Asia Department developing member countries (DMCs). Leads in developing the division pipeline and the overall program implementation. Creates high quality knowledge products on the relevant issues pertaining to economic management and to support ADB’s activities. Works within general policies, principles, and goals, working directly with clients. The incumbent will report to Director, SAPF and may supervise one or more National and Administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Leads in developing policies and strategies to strengthen finances of the Governments (national, sub-national and local), and improve public financial management in the context of sustainable economic development, poverty reduction and service delivery improvements while managing debt and creating more opportunities for private sector investment;
• Leads the dialogue with the government officials to (i) build the division pipeline and (ii) develop reform measures in the areas of revenue mobilization including tax administration, expenditure rationalization, state owned enterprises restructuring, pension reform and other areas pertaining to finances of governments at all levels; and (iii) develop strategies related to domestic savings, and generation of private resources for investment opportunities in consultation with relevant government agencies, and resident missions (RMs).
• Contributes to the formulation and articulation of fiscal policies, strategies, and regulatory issues for SARD member countries for improving finances of the national and sub-national governments (including local governments) and undertaking ADB activities to support sector policies and reforms.
• Writes technical papers and conduct economic, thematic and sector work related to (i) public finance; and (ii) macroeconomic management.
• Participates in country teams and provide sector inputs for CPS and PSM roadmaps.
• Coordinates with Resident Missions for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices in design and management of projects, and integration of issues/policies pertaining to (i) Governments’ finances; (ii) public financial management; and (iii) overall macroeconomic management.
• Identifies, designs, processes, and administers both program and project loans, technical assistance, and non-lending product and services in the areas of public resource management. Ensures that key technical, economic, financial, and crosscutting issues are incorporated into projects.
• Acts as quality assurance (QA) focal for divisional and departmental PBLs, SDPs and RBLs (as needed), and lead in monitoring, periodic review and progress reporting of project and program implementation, compliance with covenants, and the achievement of development impact.
• Leads in the review of portfolio performance by sector/country and preparation of initiatives to promote project quality and improve portfolio performance. Lead in providing guidance and advice for the identification and implementation of actions items needed to resolve implementation issues and problems.
• Designs innovative projects with clear demonstration effects in the areas of public expenditure rationalization, tax mobilization, municipal finance reforms, state-owned enterprises reforms, etc.
• Provides advice to executing agencies, other departments, and offices in headquarters on project preparation and implementation. Works directly with clients, providing supervision for critical tasks.
• Liaises and coordinates with development partners on TAs and program loans in the relevant areas.
• Builds supporting fiscal programming spread sheets to justify fiscal space creation under a policy-based loan and to quantify development financing requirements.
• Explores contributions to the innovation agenda in the public sector management space.
• Assesses the revenue augmentation, expenditure control, and debt management capacity of the national, sub-national, and local Governments and provide recommendations for improvement and capacity building.
• Participates in and contributes to internal and external training and conferences and activities for advocacy and maintains and imparts knowledge in the areas of public financial management and macroeconomic management.
• Creates high quality knowledge products on contemporary issues including macroeconomic management in the DMCs.
• Supervises the performance of reporting staff; ensures ongoing learning and development and providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in economics or other related fields. University degree in economics or other related fields combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree
• At least 12 years of professional experience in the above field, preferably in a duly accredited research institution or in a multilateral agency
• Experience in working on issues pertaining to finances of national, sub-national and local Governments
• Experience in working on similar issues in multiple countries, preferably in South Asia
• Evidence of independent research and publications in the relevant areas
• Proven application of expertise within a specific area of ADB’s operations (economic, sector or thematic), or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area
• Able to steer ideas and projects to improve linkages between public management and poverty reduction, and credible expert in field of expertise with recognized ability to lead projects and to share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community.
• Ability to prepare fiscal analysis based on simple fiscal models and fiscal programming tools
• When required, ability to act as a mission leader / team lead, exercising supervision coordination, and planning responsibilities over the assigned team, with oversight from the Director or a more senior team leader
• Act as a mentor to more junior team members, providing guidance on projects and processing of loans/technical assistance
• Act as a coach to develop the capabilities/potential of more junior colleagues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 6.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.