Senior Country Economist - TI2  

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in the future of Asia 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 position of Senior Country Economist is assigned to the Philippines Country Office (PHCO) within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). You will be based at our ADB Headquarters, Manila and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

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

Your Role

As a Senior Country Economist, you will lead PHCO's economic sector work, including dialogue with the government, coordination with development partners and other stakeholders, and preparation of knowledge solutions dissemination. This includes the conduct of regular economic analysis, monitoring, and diagnostics. You will support the implementation of the Philippines Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), which aligns with the Philippines' development plans and ADB's Strategy 2030, and the development of the country program. You will facilitate engagements between government and various ADB divisions in the design and processing of loans and technical assistance; in non-lending products and services and knowledge solutions; and for regional cooperation initiatives. You will also contribute to external relations activities, including coordination with development partners, civil society, and the press.

You will:

Strategy and Programming

• Support the country partnership strategy (CPS) implementation, lead the mid-term review and review of the CPS, regularly apprise Management of its progress and lead preparation of the new CPS.
• Develop, facilitate, and monitor the implementation, of the country's knowledge plan, ensuring strong connections with operations and country programming. Provide support as needed for climate change investment plans, private sector development, and gender action and women's empowerment.
• Coordinate with donors, advance the donor harmonization agenda and manage communications and external relations. This includes leading donor coordination on national planning and overarching coordination issues.
• Establish and maintain effective relations with senior government officials and serve as the communication link between the Philippines and ADB in resolving policy and CPS implementation issues.
• Support the Country Operations Head in country programming, including assisting the country programming mission (CPM) and in providing secretariat support for the Philippines Country Management Team (CMT).

Economics and Knowledge Operations

• Lead, conduct, review, and ensure the quality of complex economic, country, sector, and thematic diagnostic studies (including the private sector, climate, gender, governance, and public finance) and provide advice to the Country Director and CMT on priority areas that create the greatest development impact.
• Lead the preparation of the Philippines chapters for the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) and ADO Update, and other economic reports, such as the Asian Bond Monitor and economic monitoring documents, as required.
• Prepare briefing papers for use by Management's visits to the Philippines.
• Provide strategic leadership for organizing and preparing policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and 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 the Philippines.
• Serve as PHCO's focal point for the macroeconomic working group.
• Assist in liaising with the government for developing, implementing, and promoting regional cooperation activities, especially relating to ASEAN and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Project and TA Processing and Implementation Support

• Support ADB's sovereign and non-sovereign operations and contribute to the design and processing of loan and TA projects, ensuring ADB's cross-cutting concerns are addressed and providing the country economic context in project design.
• Lead in the processing and implementation of country-level technical assistance projects in areas related to the CPS as needed.
• Serve as PHCO's focal point for policy-based operations.

People Management

• Provide technical advice and mentor staff and long-term consultants in PHCO's economics team.
• Supervise and support reporting staff as needed, including their performance and development. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Take the role of a mentor to develop the capabilities and potential of reporting staff.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned and as reflected in the incumbent's workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's degree in economics, political science, public policy, public administration, or other fields relevant to the sector/area (PhD an advantage); University degree and at least 5 years of specialized professional experience in knowledge-related work can be considered.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in development planning and policy formulation and operations
• Broad-based exposure to country programming
• Operational experience, ideally in multilateral development banks, and in particular on policy-based operations.
• Evidence of high-quality knowledge outputs
• Demonstrated expertise in economic research and development in developing countries.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and conceptual skills in economics.
• International experience working in development in several countries. Relevant experience in Southeast Asia and the Philippines is desirable.
• Proven collaboration, cross-cultural, and negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively liaise with senior staff, Management, and senior government officials.
• Excellent proficiency in verbal and written English communications
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for TI2.

Benefits

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

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

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term appointment for an initial fixed period of 3 years. At the end of the initial period, this appointment may, at the option of ADB, be extended once for up to 2 years, converted to a regular appointment, or ended on its expiration date. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB that: (a) it will require Staff's particular blend of skills and experience in the foreseeable future; and (b) Staff's performance is satisfactory and they are suitable for further employment.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 members, 50 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 our Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

ADB wants 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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