Economist (Regional Cooperation)

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 in the Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) Thematic Group Secretariat within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department. The Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. The RCI Thematic Group is responsible for undertaking research, knowledge sharing, and peer review work that supports innovative ADB’s RCI operations and RCI project pipeline development. This business research is designed to be high quality innovative research focused on emerging sectors and subsectors, nonsovereign areas for RCI and inter subregional RCI. It manages and mobilizes financial resources for RCI programs and projects and supports human resources and talent management for RCI.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

As part of the Regional Cooperation and Integration Thematic Group (SDTC-RCI), lead analytical work on policy and operation issues, with a focus on Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s development of regional public goods (RPGs) for its developing member countries (DMCs). Undertake collaborative research and analyses for the identification, design, development of RCI related technical assistance (TA) and loan projects including on international technology transfer and intellectual property rights related to environment and climate change. Ensure soundness of economic analysis for the development of RCI related sectors for RPGs in line with Strategy 2030 Operational Plan for Priority 7: Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration 2019-2024. Provide guidance to project teams undertaking activities to administer TA projects in support of RPGs. Contribute to the development, dialogue and dissemination of operationally relevant knowledge products on RPGs. Work within general policies, principles and goals of ADB, and directly with clients on RPGs. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Regional Cooperation and Integration Thematic Group and/or designated international staff and may supervise national and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Support the conduct of operationally relevant RCI sectoral research incorporating environment and climate change.
• Support the conduct of economic and sector work on development trends and regional impacts of environment and climate change issues, to determine their potential for possible generation of regional public goods investment projects
• Provide technical inputs in the identification, design and development of TA and loan projects related to RCI operations and ensure quality of RCI cost benefit analysis and incorporation of key issues, especially related to regional public goods.
• Provide guidance, advice, and comment for project teams in the administration of regional public goods TA projects for the RCI Thematic Group.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative work and facilitate liaison with operations departments, other ADB knowledge departments and development agencies.
• Review and comment on ADB’s RCI related economic and policy analysis work on regional public goods.
• Provide technical advice and training to other ADB departments on economic analysis of RCI projects, especially related to cross-border externalities
• Participate in RCI sector and thematic group networks and key meetings to keep abreast of latest developments in these areas.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Economics, preferably with specialization in the environment, climate change or other related fields. University degree in Economics, with specialization in environment and/or climate change, or other related fields combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree
• At least 5 years of relevant experience on regional cooperation and integration projects, as well as exposure in the full project cycle (i.e., programming, project processing to project administration)
• International experience working in several countries, preferably including ADB DMCs
• 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 utilize and share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community
• Familiar with ADB processes and procedures in public sector operations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 3.

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.