Principal Economist - Asian Development Bank

Reference #: ADB-HR-13-0245

Position Title: Principal Economist

Department: Central and West Asia Department

Division: Pakistan Resident Mission

Location: Manila, Philippines

Recruitment Type: International

Date Posted: 17 April 2013

Closing Date: 2 May 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Lead and provide guidance and analyses in carrying out economic, sector and thematic work that underpins ADB’s operational strategies and programs in Pakistan. Lead/contribute to the formulation of the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and Country Operations Business Plan (COBP), in line with the Developing Member Countries’ (DMCs) development plans and ADB’s medium and long-term strategic frameworks. Work within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods.

Expected Outcomes

Economic, thematic and sector work
- Lead and support in assessing macroeconomic, political and sectoral developments in the country.
- Lead in undertaking economic and sector work, preparation of the Quarterly Economic Updates and the economic/planning related studies, including Country Performance Assessment in line with ADB’s revised Performance Based Allocation Policy for its Asian Development Fund resources.
- Lead preparation of the Asian Development Outlook and Update. Supervise the publication of Pakistan Resident Mission (PRM) economic report series.
- Maintain relations with other international financial institutions, including observer for IMF discussions

Country strategy and programming
- Lead in the preparation of CPS and its update in line with the country’s poverty reduction strategy and development plans, and ADB’s medium term and long-term strategic framework.
- Lead in undertaking dialogue with government officials and development partners on macroeconomic policy issues, sectoral issues and CPS, including participation in the Local Consultative Group’s sub-group meetings on macroeconomic, private sector development and financial sector.
- Lead missions to formulate CPS and its update.

Communication, liaison and cooperation initiatives
- Represent PRM at key policy dialogue forums organized by federal and provincial governments and development partners.
- Maintain effective communication with high-level federal and provincial government officials regarding information needed for effective assessment of economic developments in a timely manner.
- 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.
- Lead and provide support to sub-regional cooperation initiatives on trade, investment, private sector and tourism cooperation.
- Lead and guide the PRM team working on financial sector, public financial management and social development issues.
- Coordinate and guide the preparation of briefing papers to Senior Management and the Board of Directors.

Knowledge sharing 
- Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.

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:

• 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.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 12 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 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: Country Director, Pakistan Resident Mission (PRM)
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff
• National Officers

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