Economist

Job Vacancy | Friday, March 14, 2025

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia and the Pacific

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of Asia and the Pacific and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The Economist position is assigned to the Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office (PLCO) within the Pacific Department (PARD). PARD maintains client relations and delivers ADB assistance to countries in the Pacific region. PLCO oversees (i) operations in Nauru, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu; (ii) manages regional technical assistances and work on financial sector and private sector development across the Pacific; (iii) liaison with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.

You will primarily report to the Regional Director (RD) PLCO. You will have a matrix reporting line to the Regional Lead Economist for PARD, Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI) for economic analysis of regional and country partnership strategies; country economic monitoring and preparation of Asian Development Outlook (ADO) country chapters; and economics-related analytical work. You will oversee junior team members.

This is open to internal and external applicants.

For internal candidates: Your assignment to PLCO will be immediate unless the selection involves a change in staff category.

For external candidates and newly appointed international staff: You will initially be based at ADB Headquarters in Manila for one year before moving to PLCO in Sydney, Australia.

Your Role

As an Economist, you will lead PLCO’s economic work, including dialogue with governments, coordination with development partners and other stakeholders, preparation of knowledge solutions, and assessment of operational implications of key sector policies and macroeconomic and fiscal developments. This includes the conduct of regular economic analysis, monitoring, and diagnostics. You will support the implementation of regional and country partnership strategies across the South Pacific, which is aligned with countries’ development plans and ADB’s Strategy 2030. You will also support engagement between governments and various ADB divisions in the design and processing of projects, programs, technical assistances, knowledge products and services, and regional cooperation initiatives. You will also assist in external relations activities, including coordination with development partners, civil society, and the press.

You will:

Strategy and Programming

• Support the implementation of regional and country partnerships strategies and regularly apprise Management of its progress.
• Lead the development, facilitate, and monitor the implementation of the country’s knowledge plans, and plans for climate change investment, private sector development, regional cooperation and integration, and gender action.
• Steer and coordinate knowledge products and activities to ensure expectations of clients on knowledge work are met.
• Support policy dialogue and coordination with development partners, civil society and academia and help manage communications and external relations.
• Support ADB’s sovereign and non-sovereign operations and contribute to the design and processing of projects, programs, and technical assistances (TA).
• Support the Country Operations Head (COH) in country programming and contribute to Country Management Teams (CMT).

Economics and Knowledge Operations

• Lead, review, and ensure the quality of complex economic, country, sector, and thematic diagnostic studies and provide advice to RD PLCO and CMT on priority areas that create the greatest development impact.
• Lead or contribute to the implementation of ADB’s Development Impact Initiative in the Pacific.
• Lead the preparation of relevant countries chapters for the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) and ADO Update and other economic reports, such as the Asian Bond Monitor and economic monitoring documents.
• Prepare briefing papers for management use during visits to relevant PARD countries.
• Provide strategic leadership for the organization and preparation of policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and other dissemination activities, including forums, seminars, workshops, press conferences, news releases, and social media.
• Lead the Country Performance Assessment and annual policy actions under the Sustainable Development Finance Policy for relevant PARD countries.
• Be the PLCO’s focal point for working groups and task forces on economics-related work.
• Coordinate with, and mobilize resources from ADB departments and offices, ADB Institute, to ensure PLCO’s knowledge work is well-resourced.
• Assist in liaising with the government to develop, implement, and promote regional cooperation activities.
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned, as reflected in your workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• A University degree in economics, data science, political science, public policy, public administration, or other fields relevant to the sector/area; preferably at post-graduate level or its equivalent (PhD. degree is an advantage).
• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in evaluating macroeconomic performance, undertaking sector economic analysis, and adequate exposure to social and political assessment work.
• Two years of relevant experience outside ADB within the past five years is required. Years as an ADB-engaged consultant or contractor are considered experience outside of ADB.
• Background in economics, data science, finance and public policy, including an understanding of macro-economic planning, economic and fiscal forecasting, statistics, financial and capital markets, public financial management, institutional analysis, and project economic analysis.
• Proficiency in numerical, analytical, and conceptual skills in economics, with a track record of producing high-quality knowledge outputs. Technical expertise in data science and hands-on experience in big data analysis are advantageous.
• Demonstrated expertise in economic research and development in developing countries. Relevant experience in Pacific islands countries is desirable.
• Ability to collaborate with teams and individuals in diverse professional environment.
• Ability to navigate negotiations strategically and manage relationships successfully.
• Excellent proficiency in verbal and written communication skills in English; demonstrated economic research writing ability is desirable.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TI1.

Benefits

ADB offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Paid leave (including parental)
• Medical and health benefits
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development
• Retirement plan
• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (for international staff)

Additional Information

This position is crucial to the Workforce Rebalancing Framework (2022-2027), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing ADB’s in-house expertise previously sourced from the external workforce. The role seeks seasoned experts with substantial field experience capable of leading policy dialogue, and projects focused on delivering knowledge solutions. Successful candidates may occasionally undertake short-term assignments in other groups or departments when required.

This is a fixed term appointment with option to renew for an initial period of three years following Section 3.1 (b) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may be renewed for a period of up to three years, or not renewed. There is no limit on the number of renewals. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 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 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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