(Senior) Social Sector Economist

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of (Senior) Social Sector Economist is assigned in the Human and Social Development Sector Office (SG-HSD) within the Sectors Group (SG). SG aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB’s strategic agenda in the region and with ADB’s clients. The SG, which is comprised of seven sector offices, delivers or supports sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RDs) and resident missions (RMs) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally. 

SG-HSD leads policy dialogue, initiatives, and solutions in the human and social development sectors (education, health, social protection, and in broader social development initiatives). SG-HSD is responsible for (i) conceptualizing, processing, and administering lending, grant, and technical assistance (TA) operations; (ii) developing and delivering knowledge services and products to DMCs; and (iii) leading technical work on sector diagnostics and road maps, and contributing to business development efforts.

You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines.

You will report to the designated Director, SG-HSD or the Senior Director, in close coordination with ERDI, and will oversee national staff and administrative staff.

Your Role

• As a (Senior) Social Sector Economist, you will serve as the focal for economic analysis in HSD. You will lead or participate in relevant economic, thematic and sector work and assessment, and participate in policy dialogue and strategic discussions with key government stakeholders on social policies to ensure that ADB initiatives remains responsive to client needs. You will also identify, develop, implement, and administer loans, grants, and TA, and deliver knowledge products and services in human and social development in ADB’s DMCs. Other responsibilities may include: (i) providing support to overall sector operations performance analysis, monitoring, reporting and quality assurance; and (ii) coordinating multi-sector initiatives across HSD teams and working groups and other sector offices.

You will:

• Conduct upstream analytics and programming for cross-sectoral investments by collating resources, data and reporting trends.
• Lead in developing, processing, and administering loan and grant projects and TA, and delivering knowledge products and knowledge services in education, skills development, and broader human capital development with attention to DMC development policies and project impacts on climate change.
• Identify and conceptualize new lending projects and programs. Collaborate with other sector offices and departments in identifying countries and projects with the potential to demonstrate impactful solutions to DMC needs and with clear focus on (i) climate change, (ii) private sector development, (iii) digital transformation through innovative and integrated solutions, and (iv) new ways of working.
• Work closely with regional departments, resident missions, the Office of Safeguards, the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, the Economic Research and Development Impact Department, and other sector offices based on business needs, in conducting sector assessments and other upstream work, in line with existing country programs or contributing to new country programs.
• Lead sector portfolio performance assessment in country/tripartite portfolio review meetings, identify systemic issues, propose initiatives to promote project quality and improve portfolio performance, and provide guidance and advice for the identification and implementation of actions needed to resolve implementation issues.
• Support the delivery of knowledge sharing and professional development programs to DMC officials and project managers based on demand and relevance to portfolio.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external partners for knowledge and project opportunities. Respond to external inquiries as needed.
• Analyze sector trends, and generate and disseminate knowledge solutions from ADB operations, international best practices and country or region specific cross-learning.
• Lead in strategic planning and coordination for multi-sector operations and new solutions and practices with SG-HSD working groups, other sector offices, regional departments, and other departments.
• Support SG-HSD sector operations performance analysis, monitoring, reporting and quality assurance.
• Provide, monitor and ensure the quality of economic analysis including-cost-benefit analysis of ADB projects at appraisal and completion.
• Support the design of ADB project impact evaluations, communicate development impacts and recommend improvement of development impacts in future project design.
• Collaborate with the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI) to determine research priorities to improve sector assessment and project economic analysis.
• Lead, supervise, and support reporting staff, including their performance and career development. Ensure continuous learning and development of reporting staff.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics in a human and social development related field. A PhD would be an advantage. University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience, including as project leader in the preparation and implementation of education, skills development or related human capital development policies, programs and projects in Asia and the Pacific.
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Excellent capabilities in sector data analysis and research for sector monitoring. Strong knowledge and experience in the application of multilateral development bank policies and business procedures. Proven capabilities in conducting quality assurance.
• Broad experience in the preparation of development projects and analysis of development policies, including knowledge of procurement and consultant recruitment.
• Demonstrated team leadership and managerial skills and experience leading professionals, teams, and missions for technical matters and project preparation and implementation.
• Good knowledge of the theory and practice of project economic analysis including cost-benefit analysis and impact evaluation in the sector.
• Significant expertise within a specific area of ADB operations (economic, sector or thematic) or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Please refer to this link for the ADB Competency Framework for IS4.
• Please refer to this link for the ADB Competency Framework for IS5.

Source: https://www.adb.org/careers/240694