Principal Public Sector Specialist/ Principal Public Management Economist

Job Vacancy | Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on 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 Principal Public Sector Specialist/ Principal Public Management Economist is assigned to the Public Sector Management and Governance Sector Office (PSMG) within Sectors Department 3 (SD3). SD3 aims to deliver impactful sector strategy, initiatives, and integrated solutions that advance ADB's strategic agenda in the region and with ADB's clients. SD3 which is comprised of three sector offices, delivers or supports sovereign, non-sovereign, and advisory operations; delivers knowledge services; supports regional departments (RD) and resident missions (RM) in engaging with developing member countries (DMCs); and ensures ADB's technical leadership externally and internally.

PSMG leads policy development and dialogue, knowledge management, project quality assurance, sector analytic work, and loan and technical assistance processing and administration in the public management, public finance, trade and governance sectors.

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

You will report to the Director, PSMG, and will supervise junior staff members.

Your Role

As a Principal Public Sector Specialist/ Principal Public Management Economist, you will oversee the formulation and articulation of public sector policy and strategies and public management issues, engaging ADB's member countries' governments in policy dialogue, conducting ADB's activities to support sector policy and reforms. You will lead in identifying, developing, implementing, and administering loans, Technical Assistance (TA) projects, and non-lending products and services (NLPS) and engage with developing member countries (DMCs) governments and other stakeholders on public sector management issues to support fiscal consolidation, inclusive growth, reforms and initiatives, with the objective of ensuring economic soundness and consistency with sector policies and strategies.

You will:

• Oversee the strategic and operational development of the PSMG sector covering all major aspects related to project identification, preparation, appraisal, and documentation on public sector management, including but not limited to domestic resource mobilization and debt management, public expenditure management, social security and pension reforms, domestic savings, state-owned enterprises management, digitalization of systems and processes, economic diversification, fiscal decentralization, climate change, public investment management, and generation of private resources for investment opportunities in consultation with relevant government agencies, and resident missions (RMs).
• Lead dialogue with government officials and other stakeholders to improve public sector management and enhance government capacity while managing debt and creating more opportunities for private sector investment. In this regard, take the role of mission leader and supervise the work of mission members.
• Participate in country teams and provide or peer review inputs for Country Partnership Strategies (CPS) and updates. Participate in interdepartmental working groups on public sector management issues.
• Oversee the development, processing and administration of loan and TA projects aimed at the policy reforms, institutional strengthening, risk management, and support of local government finance and efficient delivery of services and solutions to clients.
• Coordinate with RMs for consistency of approach, exchange of experiences, and continuous improvement of practices and integration of sector policy commitments to the management of projects.
• Support sector colleagues in the design and delivery of policy-based programs and other projects. Serve as key focal point for coordination with other sectors, divisions, or departments concerning the public management related areas, including peer reviews.
• Coordinate with other development partners and international agencies for operational synergies to improve assessments and development impact.
• Oversee monitoring, periodic review and progress reporting of project and program implementation, compliance with covenants, and the achievement of development impact.
• Oversee the review of portfolio performance by sector/country and preparation of initiatives to promote project quality and improve portfolio performance. Lead in providing guidance and advice in identification and implementation of actions items needed to resolve implementation issues and problems.
• Effectively handle closure of projects and completion processes and reports and conduct consultations with governments on results and lessons learned.
• Develop and maintain suitable network of country counterparts, stakeholders, and information sources to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues. Substantially contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building around public sector management issues.
• (for Economist) Lead and conduct economic, thematic and sector work related to policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for public sector management to facilitate sustainable economic development, inclusive growth, green PFM, and poverty reduction. Facilitate effective evaluation processes for PSMG work. Create high quality knowledge products on contemporary isses including macroeconomic management in the DMCs.
• Lead and conduct economic, thematic and sector work related to policy, legal, regulatory and institutional framework for public sector management to facilitate sustainable economic development, inclusive growth, green PFM, and poverty reduction. Facilitate effective evaluation processes for PSMG work.
• Promote innovation and more effective ways for addressing key development constraints in ADB DMCs, including use of modern technology, cross-country learnings and best practices, and knowledge solutions, including conduct internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination, and knowledge building in the area of public sector management.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams, supervise the performance of reporting teams and staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Ensure the ongoing learning and development of reporting staff.
• Coach and mentor teams and individuals to optimize outcomes in developing policy-based loans, projects and technical assistance leading to well-supported, timely, and successful implementation.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's Degree, or equivalent, in Economics, Finance, Public Policy or other related fields; University degree in Economics, Finance, Public Policy or other related fields and at least 5 years specialized experience relevant to the position can be considered.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in public sector management at the national and sub-national level in a reputed research institution or in a multilateral agency.
• Able to steer ideas and projects to improve linkages between public sector management and poverty reduction.
• Demonstrate flexibility and aptitude to learn new and emerging issues/topics within the public sector and financial sector.
• International experience working in development in several countries.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff grade TI3.

Benefits

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

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

Additional Information

1) Multiple positions at various levels may be filled from this opening.

2) Actual position title and level will be based on your qualifications, experience and job scope that will be assigned to the selected candidates.

3) Location - Initial appointment to ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines. Some positions may be outposted or strategically assigned in a Field Office.

About Us

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 69 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 69 members.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

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.

Visit ADB Careers FAQ for more information.

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