Senior 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 in the Economic Analysis and Operational Support Division (EREA) within the Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department (ERCD). The Division prepares country, sector, and thematic diagnostic studies to facilitate policy dialogue with ADB member countries and inform ADB operations on key medium-term development challenges. The Division also reviews assessments of economic viability of ADB projects and programs, provides training on project economic analysis, and conducts and supports impact evaluation studies.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The position will contribute to ERCD’s work on project economic analysis; country, sector and thematic diagnostic studies; and impact evaluation. The position will lead and oversee the provision of technical advice and training on economic analysis of ADB projects; lead the design and implementation of sector and thematic studies; health, environment, and other related social sectors issues will be special areas of focus; and conduct impact evaluation studies and lead its mainstreaming in the regional departments. The position will entail work within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods. The incumbent will report to the Director, EREA and will supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.

Responsibilities

Operations Support

• Review and provide substantive advice and comments on the economic rationale and quality of economic analysis in ADB’s country strategies, programs, and projects; contribute to health, environment, and other related social sectors-specific policy and related documents.
• Participate in review meetings and operational missions as necessary.
• Provide technical support to operational departments, particularly on economic analysis of investment projects and ADB sectors of operations, especially in the area of health, environment, and other related social sector development.
• Support the development and delivery of internal and external training programs on project economic analysis for ADB staff and relevant government officials.
• Lead the development, improvement, and dissemination of methodology and techniques for project economic analysis.
• Collaborate with operational departments to support multi-sectoral approaches for improving health sector development in DMCs.

Economic and Policy Research and Analytical Work

• Lead and contribute to country, sector and thematic diagnostic studies, especially in the area of health, environment, and other related social sector development.
• Identify critical gaps in knowledge and identify opportunities to address those gaps in health, environment, and other related social sector development in DMCs.
• Lead other operations-relevant studies and analytical work, with a focus on health, environment, social sector, and other related sectors as required.
• Contribute to impact evaluation studies on applied fields particularly on health, environment, and other related social sectors and lead studies using behavioral economics, experimental economics, and other pioneering methodologies.

Project Management

• Oversee and carry out the design, implementation and administration of technical assistance projects for DMCs on empirically rigorous policy analysis across a broad range of areas.

Knowledge Management

• Develop knowledge products (i.e. papers, reports, etc.) on economic policies and their economic and social impacts and contribute to their dissemination as speaker or moderator during presentations, seminars and conferences
• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of ERCD’s research outputs and publications
• Provide leadership in the collaboration and coordination of economic research, dissemination, networking and capacity building activities with outside researchers, including bilateral and multilateral institutions.

Staff Supervision

• Create and lead multi-disciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of their work.
• Supervise the performance of teams and individuals, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to teams and individuals and ensure their on-going learning and development.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• A Master’s degree, or equivalent, in Economics with specialization in applied microeconomics such as behavioral economics and experimental economics. University degree in Economics, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Doctoral degree is preferable.
• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level.
• At least 10 years of professional experience including research and teaching experience during graduate school years.
• International experience in development work in several countries.
• Proficiency in oral and written communications in English.
• Demonstrated client orientation and good interpersonal skills.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 5.

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.