Principal Economist - Asian Development Bank

Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, CWRD, Central and West Asia Department

Closing Date: 25 March 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

 

Job Purpose:

Lead the strategic formulation of knowledge generation and management, and capacity development strategies and polices, focusing on the development of knowledge products and services for the 10 DMCs in CWRD and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, in close collaboration with governments, the private sector and other stakeholders. Lead the development and design of technical assistance (TA) projects, particularly those which have practical applications, related to knowledge generation and sharing, and capacity building, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods.
Support the Department’s economic, thematic and sector work (ETSWs), country partnership strategy (CPSs), Country Performance Assessments (CPAs), and the Asian Development Outlook (ADO), especially for macroeconomic aspects. Ensure knowledge sharing thrusts of the Department are implemented.

Expected Outcomes

Management Support
- Lead initiatives in support of CWRD Management in undertaking the Department’s knowledge management strategy and delivery.
- Lead in the design, preparation, and delivery of succinct knowledge products and services (KPS), including flagship publications.
- Support ongoing initiatives of the CAREC Institute, including designing and implementing knowledge generation, management and capacity building initiatives for core and second tier sectoral priorities of CAREC, and establishment of the physical institute by 2014.
- Co-lead the preparation of analytic underpinnings in support of economic corridor development and integrated trade facilitation.
- Lead the review of Department’s ETSWs, CPSs, especially for macroeconomic aspects.
- Support country and project teams preparation and implementation of knowledge initiatives.
Economic, Sector and Thematic Work
- Lead and undertake the conduct and review of complex economic, sector and thematic work to ensure its quality with agreed sector policies and strategies.
- Provide substantive inputs to related studies, and knowledge sharing and capacity building activities.
- Lead in the identification and conceptualization of key policy issues to be addressed in ADB's policy dialogue for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Project Development and Processing
- Lead development, processing, and administration of loans, grants and TA projects on knowledge sharing and capacity building, with high levels of risk and complexity.
- Develop and implement regional knowledge sharing activities aimed at promoting Regional Cooperation and Integration, including South-South cooperation.

• Facilitate effective networking among agencies including academia, civil society, research institutes and centers of excellence, and with similar agencies in other DMCs.

- Coordinate with, and mobilize resources from ADB departments and offices, ADBI, and provide support for all department-led knowledge sharing and activities.
Knowledge Sharing
- Lead the preparation of the annual work plan for knowledge sharing and capacity building and assist in its implementation
- Participate in sector and thematic networks and substantially contribute to the knowledge management activities of the department.
- Design, disseminate and implement procedures and systems to facilitate and encourage internal knowledge sharing on project experiences and results.
- Formulate and implement a cooperation strategy with external research institutions to support knowledge sharing and the Department’s KPS production while applying the highest quality standards.
- Formulate and implement the dissemination plan for the Department’s KPS.
Staff Supervision

• Take the role of mentor to develop capabilities/potential of reporting staff over multi-disciplinary teams.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.

- Plan and ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• PhD or equivalent in Economics, Business Administration, or other related fields. Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Business Administration, or related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a PhD

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in applied research, project processing and administration and portfolio management.
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• International experience working in development in several countries.

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director, Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division (CWRC)
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff
• National Staff
• Women are encouraged to apply.

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