Economist - Asian Development Bank

Reference #: ADB-HR-13-0240

Position Title: Economist

Department: Central and West Asia Department

Division: Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, CWRD

Location: Manila, Philippines

Recruitment Type: International

Date Posted: 16 April 2013

Closing Date: 30 April 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Coordinate and carry out economic, sector and thematic work that underpins ADB’s operational strategies and programs in CWRD countries. Contribute to the formulation of the Country Partnership Strategies (CPS) and Country Operations Business Plans (COBPs), in line with the Developing Member Countries’ (DMCs) development plans and with ADB’s medium and long-term strategic frameworks. Contribute to the overall economic analysis of the Central and West Asian economies. Work within broad policies and objectives with supervision for unfamiliar or critical tasks.

Expected Outcomes

a. Economic, thematic and sector work
- Assess macroeconomic, political and sectoral developments in CWRD countries.
- Undertake economic and sector work and economic/planning related studies, including Country Performance Assessments (CPAs) for the countries in the region, in line with ADB’s revised Performance Based Allocation Policy for its Asian Development Fund resources.
- Contribute to the publication of economic report series, including the preparation of the Asian Development Outlook country chapters.
- Contribute to the Department’s economic and thematic work program such as on: structural transformation; dependence on natural resources; high transport costs due to landlockness and poor trade facilitation; urban sector analyses; energy efficiency and optimal energy mix; economic corridor development and impact evaluation of projects.

b. Country strategy and programming
- Contribute to the preparation of CPSs and COBPs and their updates in line with ADB’s long-term strategic framework.
- Undertake dialogue with government officials and development partners on macroeconomic policy issues, sectoral issues and CPSs, including participation in the Consultative Groups on macroeconomic, private sector development and financial sector.
- Participate in missions to formulate CPSs and its update.
- Contribute to the Country Performance Assessment.

c. Communication, liaison and cooperation initiatives
- Represent CWRD in policy dialogue forums, as needed.
- Maintain effective communication with the academia, media, non-government organizations, and civil society.
- Liaise with key private sector contacts with a view to understanding the constraints they face in conducting business, and identify areas where ADB could assist.

d. Staff supervision
- Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

A University degree in Economics or other related fields; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 6 years of relevant professional work experience related to country programming, economic and sector policy formulation and macroeconomic analysis
- Familiarity with multilateral development bank’s policies and procedures
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in English
- International experience working in development in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Regularly shares knowledge on new international best practice trends in comparator situations
• Proactively applies relevant international best practices to own work
• Convinces others to adopt international best practice by explaining the situational relevance and benefits

Client Orientation

• Helps colleagues work effectively with clients in different contexts and from diverse backgrounds and country situations
• Adapts own approach and style when interacting with clients, as opposed to requiring them to adapt
• Draws upon international best practice in exploring solutions with clients
• Confirms the clients’ understanding and agreement before progressing

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Draws on own and others’ multi-country experience to identify viable courses of action when conducting analyses
• Helps internal and external clients achieve quality results beyond presenting problems and precedent
• Highlights possible solutions for project issues based on relevant multi-country and/or multi-client experience
• Regularly contributes insights and experiences to colleagues in the Division to help them achieve quality results
• Overcomes unexpected difficulties and challenges to produce desired outcomes

Working Together

• Maintains collaborative relationships within the Department
• Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
• Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
• Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Checks the audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and Change

• Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
• Develops and adopts change plans to support Division initiatives on which one works
• Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
• Vocalizes early support for change
• Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

- Supervisor: Director, CWRC
- The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
- Administrative Staff
- National Staff
- Women are encouraged to apply

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