Regional Lead Economist

Description

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Regional Lead Economist is assigned to the Office of the Chief Economist and Director General (EROD) in the Economic Research and Development Impact Department (ERDI). You will be based at our Headquarters in Manila, Philippines and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to the Chief Economist and Director General, ERDI, and the Director General, Central and West Asia Department (CWRD) and will oversee assigned international and local staff.

Your Role

As Regional Lead Economist for CWRD, you will lead and oversee regional and country economic monitoring, analytical and data-related work, country diagnostics, and work that evaluates and strengthens the development impact of programs and operations.

You will:

• Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance on strategic economic priorities and pressing development issues in the region, such as the economic development aspects of private sector development, regional cooperation and integration, climate change and environmental sustainability, and digital transformation; and ensure that such priorities are reflected in the department’s programming and work plan preparations.
• Serve as a principal spokesperson internally and externally on economic issues facing the region, contributing actively to country and regional economic policy dialogue, supporting senior management requests on economic issues, representing ADB at high-level or external forums, and engaging with IMF, WB, and other development partners, as needed.
• Lead and oversee regional and country economic monitoring and analytical work, including Asian Development Outlook reports, Country Performance Assessments, and country diagnostics used to formulate country partnership and regional strategies for the regional department; assess and monitor debt sustainability of countries in the region.
• Backstop the Country Directors and CWRD Director General in ensuring the quality of economic analysis underlying country partnership strategies; work with country economists and economic officers to ensure that relevant economic analysis and assessments are conducted with quality.
• Support CPS processes for CD and CMT and other high-level strategic work for DG and RMT, working closely with other relevant directors, including CWPS and CWRC. Backstop the country team for graduation assessment for Group C countries.
• Provide support for the processing of Policy-Based Lending and offer inputs to other projects, as needed.
• Support the assessment and strengthening of development impact of programs and operations within CWRD, as needed.
• Serve as a member of both the management team of ERDI and CWRD, supporting both departments and helping ensure alignment of agendas and work programs between CWRD, other regional departments, and ERDI.
• Serve as a knowledge focal of the CWRD. Conduct quality control and support production of high-quality economics working papers, policy briefs, and knowledge products
• Facilitate data collection and statistical capacity building activities within the region; support analytical and data services for subregional economic cooperation and integration programs and operations.
• Manage the CWRD economics team, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Provide coaching and mentoring to teams and individuals and support their ongoing learning and development.
• Undertake other activities as designated by the Chief Economist, ERDI and the Director General, CWRD.

Qualifications

You will need:

• A PhD in economics, public policy, or related fields.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience within the field at senior levels (e.g., managing large teams), with good knowledge of the Asia Pacific region including international work experience. Experience in Central and West Asia economies preferred.
• Proven management and leadership experience, with ability to communicate effectively with staff, Management, Board members, and external partners.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivities and maturity and cross-cultural skills to manage a team of qualified international and local staff and work with clients.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English.

• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for M1.

Benefits

ADB offers a rewarding salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)
• Expatriate benefits (if applicable)
• Relocation (if applicable)
• Retirement plan
• Medical and health benefits
• Paid leave (including parental)
• Life and other insurance plans
• Staff development

Additional Information

• This vacancy is part of the Special Procedures for the Enhanced Selection and Placement for Country Directors (CDs), Deputy Country Directors (DCDs), Regional Directors (RDs), Representatives of Representative Offices (RROs), and Other Selected Managerial Positions. Please refer to the Updated Special Procedures outlined in Attachment 1 to Appendix 1 of AO 2.03 for more details.
  
• Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion and for lateral transfer must have served at their position for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (A.O. 2.03).
  
• This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial fixed-term period, ADB may choose to renew the appointment for an additional fixed-term period of up to 3 years, allow it to expire, or reengage staff to their most recent technical international grade to optimally utilize the Staff’s technical skills under either a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Renew or a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Regularize, with the salary range corresponding to that technical international grade. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB’s medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff’s skills to those plans, and the staff’s managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff’s NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to Staff’s NRD. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

If the appointment to this position results in a promotion, Staff on regular appointment shall be required to relinquish their regular appointment by signing an Acknowledgment Form, as an attachment to this application. Staff’s appointment will be converted to a fixed-term appointment for Managerial Positions. Once made, this conversion is final and irrevocable. If ADB does not receive the signed Acknowledgment Form with the application, the application will be considered withdrawn.

If the appointment to this position does not result in a promotion, Staff retains their regular appointment and will be given a Fixed-term Assignment for Senior Staff, subject to Appendix 8 of AO 2.01.

All eligibility rules for housing loans and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply. Any approved housing loan or mortgage interest subsidy prior to the change to fixed-term appointment will continue during the staff’s new appointment under the same terms and conditions as applicable. The outstanding housing loan will be due and payable at the end of employment. All the other eligibility rules apply.

Primary Location: Asian Development Bank-Asian Development Bank Headquarters-Philippines-Manila

Department: Economic Research and Development Impact Department

Division: Office of the Chief Economist and Director General, ERDI

Staff Category: Managerial International (HQ)

Position Level: M1

Job Posting: 11-Nov-2026, 8:19:50 AM

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - Internal: : 25-Nov-2026, 3:59:00 PM