Senior Natural Resources Economist

Job Purpose:

Lead, contribute, and provide support for the design, development and administration of national, subregional and regional natural resources and climate change activities. Process and administer loan and technical assistance (TA) projects. Facilitate policy dialogue with the Pacific developing member countries (DMCs) governments, bilateral and multilateral development partners, private sector, and civil society including research and development institutions on national programs and projects. Promote regional cooperation for sustainable natural resources, environmental management, and climate change. Provide regular updates on important operational issues to the Pacific Department’s management team. Work within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of freedom in selection of work methods.

Expected Outcomes

a. Strategy and planning
- Support the development of strategies for regional/subregional sustainable natural resources development and management strategies for the natural resources sectors in the Pacific DMCs in consultation with relevant government agencies, Resident Missions in the region, and development partners.
- Facilitate cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation between regional/subregional and national natural resource sector strategies and country partnership strategies (CPS) and investments.
- Review natural resources sector policy, legal and regulatory framework and assess progress towards achieving environmentally sustainable pro-poor economic growth and rural coastal development.
- Lead policy dialogue to assist governments in developing natural resources management strategies for environmentally sustainable economic development.
- Guide and support other specialists in their work with governments to identify investment opportunities in the natural resource sectors for sustainable economic growth to support poverty reduction and regional cooperation.
- Lead in developing regional/subregional natural resource conservation and management strategies and initiatives in coordination and cooperation with DMC governments, bilateral and multilateral development partners and civil society.
- Provide technical leadership on addressing natural resource management-climate change risks and vulnerabilities with special focus on regional and subregional economic cooperation program, portfolio and rural and coastal livelihoods.
- Promote sustainable development and inclusive economic growth in national and regional strategies.

b. Project management
- Guide and support the initiation and development of loan and technical assistance (TA) projects
- Oversee and supervise loan, grant and TA projects in the environment and natural resources sector with high levels of risk and complexity, and possibly conflicting stakeholder interests
- Facilitate effective liaison and coordination with development partners on program loans and investment projects
- Ensure that key environmental and climate change factors are incorporated in the technical, economic, financial analyses of projects

c. Policy and economic evaluation
- Provide methodology and framework for ecosystem management, resource valuation and cost-benefit analysis, and their monitoring
- Ensure the development impact of the natural resources portfolio is monitored and evaluated
- Evaluate the cost and benefit analysis of projects as well as draw lessons for future projects
- Review economic work on the natural resources management development trends, economic analysis for regional and PDMC specific studies.

d. Staff supervision
- Create and lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of its work
- Supervise the performance of teams and individuals providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance
- Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their on-going learning and development

Educational Requirements:

Master’s degree, or equivalent in Natural Resource Economics, Environmental Management, or related fields. University degree in Natural Resource Economics, Environmental Management, or related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in natural resources management
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- International experience working in development in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

- Supervisor: Director, PATE
- The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
- Administrative Staff
- National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.