Senior Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution established to foster economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 1966, ADB has grown to include 69 member countries, with 49 of them from the Asia and Pacific region. The organization is dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development through financial assistance, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. ADB operates in various sectors including infrastructure, education, health, and environmental sustainability, and aims to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. ADB's mission is guided by its Strategy 2030, which focuses on eradicating extreme poverty and enhancing the quality of life for all citizens in the region. The organization employs a diverse workforce and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, encouraging applications from individuals of various backgrounds, including women and minorities.

Job Overview:
The Senior Economist position is a critical role within the Central and West Asia Department (CWRD) of ADB, specifically focusing on the South Caucasus region, which includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The selected candidate will be based at ADB's headquarters in Manila, Philippines, and may also work with CWRD's Resident Missions. The role involves leading economic sector work, engaging in government dialogue, coordinating with stakeholders, and disseminating knowledge. The Senior Economist will conduct regular economic analyses and monitoring, guiding the development of the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) under the direction of the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director. This position also entails supporting government and ADB divisions in loan and technical assistance processing, as well as contributing to non-lending products and regional cooperation efforts. The Senior Economist will play a vital role in external relations, engaging with development partners, civil society, and the media to promote ADB's mission and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Economist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Leading economic sector work in the South Caucasus, ensuring effective communication with Country Directors and economic teams at the Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia Resident Missions.
• Developing economic knowledge products, policy briefs, and blogs that focus on the South Caucasus region.
• Ensuring the quality of complex economic studies and providing strategic advice on high-impact development areas.
• Collaborating with country teams to contribute to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) and other economic reports.
• Supporting ADO launches and policy dialogues, providing economic updates for management and IMF programs.
• Contributing to briefing papers for management and the Board during visits to the South Caucasus.
• Guiding high-level policy dialogues and knowledge-sharing events, facilitating regional cooperation through forums, workshops, and media engagement.
• Supporting ADB's sovereign and non-sovereign operations, contributing to loan and technical assistance project design.
• Leading the processing and implementation of regional technical assistance projects in economic areas. 1
• Supporting project processing and implementation with an area-specific approach.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Economist position must possess a Master's Degree or equivalent in economics, with a Ph.D. being an advantage. Expertise in fields such as public policy, economic development, macroeconomics, public finance, international economics, or related areas is essential. Alternatively, a university degree combined with at least 5 years of specialized experience relevant to the position may be considered. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in development planning, policy formulation, and operations. Evidence of high-quality knowledge outputs, including publications in international peer-reviewed journals, is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in economic research and development in developing countries, possess strong analytical and conceptual skills in economics, and have broad-based exposure to country programming. International experience working in development across multiple countries, particularly in Central Asia, is highly desirable. The ability to collaborate effectively with senior staff, management, and government officials is crucial, along with strong oral and written communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Senior Economist position includes a Master's Degree in economics or a related field. A Ph.D. is considered an advantage, particularly for candidates with expertise in public policy, economic development, macroeconomics, public finance, or international economics. Alternatively, candidates with a university degree and significant specialized experience relevant to the position may also be considered. The educational qualifications should reflect a strong foundation in economic theory and practice, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in real-world development contexts.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in development planning, policy formulation, and operations. Candidates should have a proven track record of producing high-quality knowledge outputs and publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Experience in economic research and development in developing countries is essential, along with strong analytical and conceptual skills in economics. Candidates should also have broad-based exposure to country programming and international experience working in development across multiple countries, particularly in Central Asia.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, with strong oral and written communication skills required. While English is the primary language of communication within ADB, knowledge of additional languages relevant to the South Caucasus region may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders and partners effectively.

Additional Notes:
The Senior Economist position is classified at the TI2 level, indicating a seniority level that requires significant expertise and experience. The position is full-time and based at ADB's headquarters in Manila, Philippines. ADB offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes housing and education allowances (if applicable), expatriate benefits (if applicable), a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental leave), life and other insurance plans, and opportunities for staff development. ADB is committed to hiring nationals from its 69 member countries and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their background. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.