Trade Specialist
Job Vacancy | Tuesday, April 18, 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
ADB has an ongoing organizational review which may result in the change of department/group and/or reporting arrangement(s). By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge and accept the possibility of such changes resulting from the organizational review.
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.
The position is assigned in the Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) Thematic Group (SDTC-RCI) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC). SDCC is responsible for providing leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB's sector and thematic work. SDTC-RCI provides technical leadership for RCI operations and strategic operational support for RCI across all sector and thematic areas in line with ADB’s Strategy 2030 Operational Plan for Priority 7: Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration, 2019-2024. It is responsible for undertaking research, knowledge sharing, and peer review work that supports ADB’s RCI operations and RCI project pipeline development. It manages and mobilizes financial resources for RCI programs and projects and supports human resources and talent management for RCI.
To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.
Job Purpose
The Trade Specialist will provide support to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the ADB Strategy 2030 Operational Plan for Priority 7: Fostering Regional Cooperation and Integration, 2019-2024 with a focus on trade and trade finance. The position will support operational departments (ODs) to strengthen ADB’s upstream knowledge work on trade, trade policy, trade finance and facilitation among others, contribute to the design of regional trade projects and policy programs that promote trade and investment opportunities in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs), with sovereign, nonsovereign or intersubregional approaches; and provide inputs and support to ADB’s RCI and trade initiatives. The incumbent will also support the review of ADB-wide RCI and trade related policy and operations documents. The incumbent will report to the Chief of RCI Thematic Group and may supervise National Staff and Administrative Staff.
Responsibilities
- Policies, Strategies, and Frameworks
- With a major focus on trade, contribute knowledge and analyses toward the development of innovative policies, agreements and approaches to further advance trade and investment at regional and subregional and country levels within Asia and the Pacific.
- Conduct research to support trade and trade policy work and explore best practices and innovations in regional trade and trade policy.
- Provide comprehensive support to ADB’s upstream engagement and diagnostic work, supporting integration of RCI and trade operations in country planning processes and development of project pipeline and knowledge plan.
- Contribute to preparing briefing notes, speeches, and presentations for ADB senior staff and Management on RCI and trade, regional project development and trade agreements.
- Supports SDTC-RCI collaborative work with operations departments, other ADB knowledge departments and development agencies.
- Participate in and contribute to global and regional knowledge events and activities that have strategic and operational relevance to ADB’s RCI and trade operations.
- Support to ADB Operations
- Provide technical inputs, specifically on the design of trade operations, to ODs projects, both sovereign and non-sovereign, and integrating RCI in country partnership strategies (CPS) programming and projects,
- Ensure quality of cost benefit analysis for RCI and trade project classification by providing guidance, advice, and comment for project teams in the administration of RCI and trade related projects.
- Participate as a ‘One-ADB’ team member to support ODs and provide guidance on project design, implementation and completion of RCI and trade projects.
- Support the development and implementation of regional technical assistance projects (TAs) on RCI and trade, and work with ODs to design and implement pilot initiatives.
- Knowledge and Partnerships
- Contribute to operationally relevant research on regional trade and investment issues for RCI operations.
- Contribute to building institutional partnerships on RCI and trade and maintain knowledge networks with other agencies and organizations, including bilateral and multilateral development agencies, and DMC governments.
- Liaise and collaborate with relevant external partners RCI and trade knowledge and facilitation of key meetings, workshops, seminars, and delivery of joint work activities, including through various working groups.
- Support staff training and briefing sessions on areas relevant to trade issues.
Qualifications
Relevant Experience & Requirements
- At a minimum, Master’s degree in economics or related fields.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in economics, trade, regional cooperation and integration, particularly technical areas of international trade policy and project development.
- Significant expertise within a specific area of ADB's operations (economic, sector or thematic), or breadth across multiple areas with in-depth knowledge within one area
- A good understanding of ADB modalities for supporting ADB’s knowledge products and services and investment projects.
- Good skills and experience in coordinating and working with interdisciplinary teams of professionals (e.g., technical, social, and environmental safeguards, economic assessments, procurement, etc.)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
- Proficient or advanced competency level in Client Orientation, Achieving Results and Problem Solving and Knowledge Sharing
- For other competencies, relevant to the position, please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for International Staff Level 3-4.
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.
