Overview
Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 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 68 members.

This position is assigned in the Office of the Director General of East Asia Department (EARD/EAOD), which is responsible for relationships concerning ADB operations with Developing Member Countries (DMCs) in the East Asia subregion, with other multilateral and bilateral development agencies and other key stakeholders on matters relating to the subregion. EAOD provides overall coordinating assistance to the EARD Regional Management Team (RMT); in terms of development of country strategies and work programs, programming of loan, grant and technical assistance projects, portfolio monitoring, coordinating high-level knowledge work, coordinating with other ADB departments including regional cooperation and integration and private sector development, and coordinating with external development partners, and overseeing operations of ADB’s resident missions (RMs) in People’s Republic of China and Mongolia.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose
The Economist will actively lead in facilitating the strategic formulation of knowledge management and dissemination and capacity development strategies and polices, focusing on the development of knowledge management programs for PRC in close collaboration with ADB, PRC Government and relevant stakeholders. The incumbent will work with the the Advisor, EAOD and with the PRCM Country Director, and be responsible for: (i) leading and managing the Regional Knowledge Sharing Initiative (RKSI); (ii) steering and coordinating EARD’s knowledge products and activities; (iii) leading the development and design of technical assistance (TA) projects on knowledge sharing and capacity building; and (iv) identifying and implementing opportunities for capturing, distilling, disseminating and leveraging knowledge from ADB’s projects and technical assistance in the PRC to promote sharing and capacity building in the Asia Pacific region. The incumbent will report to the Advisor, EAOD, with designated International Staff from PRCM and the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI) as input supervisors to the incumbent’s workplan and performance review. The incumbent will supervise National and Administrative staff.

Responsibilities
• Lead, administer and implement the RKSI as the single window for all knowledge sharing and capacity building activities related to the PRC.
• Prepare and execute a strategy and workplan to modernize and strengthen the RKSI with a focus on enhancing its visibility, impact, and imprint on south-south knowledge sharing.
• Prepare and execute a comprehensive plan for extracting knowledge from ADB projects and technical assistance and packaging and disseminating this knowledge across the PRC’s provinces and in other developing member countries of the ADB.
• Serve as the focal staff for PRCM’s overall knowledge work to ensure that knowledge objectives and targets are met and knowledge work is coordinated and its quality ensured to meet the clients’ expectations.
• Serve as a focal point in the coordination of various knowledge sharing and capacity building activities delivered through different PRC agencies as well as Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), and other regional initiatives or programs.
• Facilitate effective networking among agencies with PRC including academia, civil society, research institutes and centers of excellence, and with similar agencies in other DMCs.
• Coordinate with, and mobilize resources from ADB departments and offices, ADBI, to ensure PRCM’s knowledge work is well-resourced.
• Help identify/conceptualize key policy issues to be addressed in ADB’s policy dialogue for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
• Represent PRCM/ADB and organize RKSI work dissemination in various knowledge events, seminars, and conferences in the PRC and in other countries.
• Undertake any other related additional knowledge tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent, in Economics or related social sciences, or University degree, and at least 5 years of specialized experience in knowledge-related work.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in economic research/analysis, macroeconomic or sector policy formulation, knowledge production and dissemination, development planning and policy formulation, implementation and coordination, or related areas at senior levels.
• Evidence of high-quality knowledge outputs..
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Experience in applying expertise in an international setting within the sector.
• Experience in working in a developing nation and international experience working in several countries.
• Credible expert in field of expertise with recognized ability to lead projects and to share relevant knowledge to benefit the broader ADB community, in a way which may further enhance ADB’s ability to:
o Recommend effective solutions to address DMCs’ specific economic, sector or thematic needs, based on wide range of experience and proven best practices
o Successfully structure and implement TA projects in a more cost-effective manner
o Manage risks more effectively by understanding DMCs, their environment (including the political, social and technical aspects), development priorities and economic / sector / thematic issues

Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 4.

General Considerations
The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

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.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.