Senior Country Economist

As a Senior Country Economist, you will co-lead the preparation and support the implementation of the CPS in line with the country’s development plans and ADB’s medium and long-term strategic frameworks (Strategy 2030). 1 The Senior Country Economist also leads country diagnostic work and supports macroeconomic and public finance analysis and economic-based sector work in SLRM. Under the guidance of the Country Director, the incumbent will lead and support the preparation and management of knowledge products and contribute substantively to analytical work on operationally relevant issues related to macroeconomics, governance and public financial management, debt sustainability, private sector development, regional cooperation and integration, and climate change issues. The Senior Country Economist also has the responsibility of analyzing the development impact of ADB operations and monitoring progress towards the objectives of the CPS.

1CPS for Sri Lanka, 2024-2028 was approved by the Board of Directors on 19 March 2024.

You will:

• As the country leader for the CPS, coordinate and lead the preparation of the CPS and support its implementation with any adjustments recommended and introduced in response to the country’s development priorities and conditions, in accordance with principles of results-based management and in close coordination with development partners.
• Serve as the focal point in ADB on economic matters, identifying key issues to be addressed in ADB’s policy dialogue, regularly apprising management on the country’s economy and policy issues, and preparing briefing papers for use by management.
• Lead and support the preparation of the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) and the preparation of updates and other economic reports as required.
• Lead in the preparation of the Country Knowledge Plan and serve as the secretariat of the Country Management Team (CMT). As the secretariat, you will support the preparation of upstream knowledge to support annual programming cycle and provide strategic economic perspective in pipeline development.
• Lead, conduct, review, and ensure the quality of economic, sector and thematic work as substantive inputs into economic and programming related studies. Lead ADB’s overall knowledge program for Sri Lanka, from programming, conceptualization, execution, and dissemination in coordination with related departments or offices.
• Establish networks and communicate effectively with key national and international development stakeholders, including private sector, media, academic and research institutions, NGOs, and civil society to facilitate ADB’s operations and dialogues.
• Lead macroeconomic assessments, research, and analysis including development impact of ADB’s operations .
• Lead the Sri Lanka country economics team, coordinating between Headquarters and SLRM staff to ensure consistency of approach, integration of policy commitments, and knowledge sharing.
• Provide inputs to ADB-wide economics related documents and publications. Contribute to policy advice provided by ADB, including through policy-based loans and the associated TA projects.
• Review and strengthen analysis and presentation of economic related documents to ensure quality of operations and publications.
• Assist in analytical and operational works under SARD’s regional cooperation and integration initiatives and economic corridors development.
• Lead in the processing and administration of assigned technical assistance (TA) projects.
• Provide substantive assistance to review and comment on loan (including the country assessment matrix) and TA concept papers and report and recommendation of the President ensuring consistency with the CPS, product quality, and local sensitivities.
• Establish and maintain cordial and effective relations with senior government officials and serve as the communication link between Sri Lanka and ADB in resolving policy and programming issues.
• Assist in donor coordination, advance donor harmonization agenda, and seek cofinancing opportunities for ADB operations.
• Establish and maintain effective relations with other stakeholders such as academia, private sector, and civil society.
• As mentor and lead for the team, supervise the work of reporting staff members in the areas of knowledge management and analytical work on themes and issues related to governance and public financial management work, private sector development, regional cooperation and integration, and climate change,.
• Supervise the performance of reporting staff providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in economics (Ph.D. Preferred) with expertise in one or more of the following fields: macroeconomics, public finance, international finance, economic development; or University degree and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 10 years work experience on macroeconomic and public finance issues, policy formulation, and operations.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Sound conceptual and practical understanding of macroeconomics and international economics in developing economies.
• Strong analytical and technical capability in macroeconomic analysis, and country and sector economic analysis.
• Broad-based exposure to country programming and project development business processes.
• Substantial experience in knowledge management and external communication.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Source: https://www.adb.org/careers/240393