Senior Country Economist

This position is assigned to the Lao Resident Mission (LRM) within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). You will also 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 report to the Country Director, LRM, and will supervise National and Administrative Staff.

This is open to internal and external applicants.

If you are an internal candidate and selected for the position, your assignment to LRM will be immediate unless it involves a change in staff category. If you are a selected external candidate or new IS, you will initially be based in ADB Headquarters in Manila for 1 year before moving to LRM.

Your Role

As Senior Country Economist you will lead LRM’s economic work, including through dialogue with government, coordination with development partners and other stakeholders, and preparation of knowledge solutions. This includes the conduct of regular economic analysis and monitoring. As the Country Team Leader, you will lead the development of the Lao PDR Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), which is aligned with Lao PDR’s development plans and ADB’s Strategy 2030, and support CPS implementation, and development of the country program. Recognizing that Lao PDR is classified as a fragile and conflict-affected situation (FCAS), you will also provide support to 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 including overseeing the coordination of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) activities in the Lao PDR. You will also assist in external relations activities, including coordination with development partners, civil society, and the press.

You will:

Strategy and Programming

• Lead the country partnership strategy (CPS) implementation and regularly apprise Management on the progress in this.
• Lead the development of and facilitate and monitor the implementation of the country knowledge plan, as well as country climate plan, country private sector development plan, country gender and women’s empowerment plan in the Lao PDR.
• Support donor coordination, advance the donor harmonization agenda, and assist in management of communications and external relations.
• Establish and maintain cordial and effective relations with senior government officials and serve as the communication link between the Lao PDR and ADB in resolving policy and CPS implementation issues.
• Support Country Operations Head in country programming including through provision of secretariat support for Lao PDR Country Management Team (CMT).

Economics and knowledge operations

• Lead, conduct, review, and ensure the quality of complex economic, sector, and thematic diagnostic studies (including private sector, climate, gender, governance, public finance, and fragile and conflict affected situation) for providing advice to the Country Director and CMTs on what areas to prioritize to create the greatest development impact.
• Lead the preparation of the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) and ADO Update chapters and the preparation of other economic reports, such as Asian Bond Monitor chapters and economic monitoring documents, as required.
• Prepare briefing papers for use by Management during visits to Lao PDR.
• Provide strategic leadership for the organization and preparation of policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and other 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 Lao PDR.
• Serve as LRM’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 the GMS.

Project and TA processing and implementation support

• Support ADB’s sovereign and non-sovereign operations and substantially contribute to the design and processing of loan and TA projects, ensuring ADB’s cross-cutting concerns are appropriately addressed and providing local perspective in project design.
• Lead in the processing and implementation of country level technical assistance projects in areas related to strategic priority one on promoting sustainable public finance under the CPS 2024-2028.
• Serve as a focal point for LRM’s operations with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Bank of the Lao PDR, Lao Securities Commission Office, and the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

People management

• Provide technical advice and mentor staff and long-term consultants in LRM’s economics, strategy, and program unit (ESPU).
• Supervise and support reporting staff, including their performance and development. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff. Take the role of mentor to develop capabilities/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. Alternatively, university degree in related fields combined with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience 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
• International experience working in development in several countries. Relevant experience in Southeast Asia and Lao PDR is an advantage.
• Proven interpersonal, cross-cultural, and negotiating skills, with ability to effectively liaise with senior staff, Management, and senior government officials.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for IS5.

Source: https://www.adb.org/careers/240475