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 Associate Regional Cooperation Officer is assigned to the Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit (CWRC) within the Central and West Asia Department (CWRD). You will be based at our Resident Mission Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

You will report to the Regional Head, CWRC and designated International Staff of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Secretariat in Almaty, Kazakhstan. You will work closely with Head of the CAREC Secretariat, and a team of CAREC consultants.

Your Role

As an Associate Regional Cooperation Officer, you will contribute to the implementation of the CAREC Strategy 2030, including providing support to the CAREC Secretariat, identification and implementation of ADB initiatives and technical assistances (TAs) for the CAREC Program; implementation of sector and thematic CAREC strategies; and policy support related to regional cooperation and integration (RCI) in CAREC countries. You will support CWRC International Staff in collaborating with CAREC/CWRD developing member countries (DMCs), key development partners and other stakeholders, as well as with relevant sectors and thematic groups within ADB.

You will:

• Provide support to implement CAREC Strategy 2030 by contributing to enhance the quality of regional cooperation in CAREC Program by supporting all CAREC operational clusters and crosscutting themes, specifically in CAREC Climate Change Vision and the forthcoming Climate and Sustainability Project Preparatory Fund (CSPPF); and CAREC Disaster Risk Management; Capital markets regulators and financial stability dialogue; Economic corridors development; tourism; trade and trade facilitation measures; Connectivity and Corridors Performance Measurement and Monitoring (CPMM); Human capital development; and Digitalization; and other sectors and crosscutting areas.
• Undertake analytical work to promote regional cooperation agenda in CAREC and CWRD countries.
• Contribute to conceptualizing, processing, and administering regional technical assistance (RETA) projects related to CAREC Program or CWRD’s RCI activities. Contribute to identification and mobilization of funds for RETAs; and to RETAs portfolio management.
• Support the functions of the CAREC Secretariat, supporting organization of key institutional activities (e.g., Ministerial Conferences, Senior Officials’ Meetings, working group meetings, etc.) and dialogues, and other related events.
• Coordinate and collaborate with CAREC focals in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, Sectors Group, and with other ADB Departments and offices.
• Contribute to the midterm review of CAREC Strategy 2030.
• Contribute to strengthening the CAREC brand recognition and communication strategy; implement outreach programs; produce high quality knowledge and dissemination products. Support regular exchange of information and collaboration with multilateral and bilateral agencies, and CAREC development partners, CAREC Institute, Asian Development Bank Institute, the CAREC Think Tank Network, regional and non-regional think tanks/research and development organizations on enhancing analytical underpinnings of the CAREC Program.
• Support CWRC International Staff in the representation of CWRD/CAREC in the Regional Cooperation and Integration and Trade Thematic Group . Contribute to the coordination with CWRD Regional Management Team, and Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships Department) for identifying and proposing RCI projects for bank-wide Asian Development Fund and ordinary capital resources set-aside.
• Contribute to the development of a pipeline of regional investment projects and help build up regional cooperation elements in relevant projects. Coordinate with Resident Missions on country programming and monitoring of the rolling pipeline of regional projects. Support prioritization for projects for funding through thematic pool, trust funds, and cofinancing from external partners.
• Support the RCI classification exercise to ensure RCI projects are properly identified and classified in the system.
• Contribute to the review and comment on ADB’s RCI-related economic and policy analysis work. Support in the RCI assessments for and strengthening RCI focus of country partnership strategies and other relevant ADB documents.
• Perform other tasks as reflected in the incumbent’s work plan.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics or relevant fields, preferably with advanced training.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong skills and experience in coordinating and working with teams of professionals for regional cooperation programs.
• Working knowledge of operational processes and administration guidelines in a multi-lateral organization will be an advantage . Experience in project administration with other organizations will also be considered.
• Ability to liaise and work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English