The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) is seeking an experienced Consultant (Economist) specializing in one or more of the following: applied development microeconomics, environmental, and natural resource economics. Candidates must be able to conduct field survey research on environmental topics, natural resources, and climate change in Asia; and track and assess policy solutions in these areas. Ideal candidates would have a Ph.D. in economics with a good publication track record and strong skills in applied econometrics.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant data and research in collaboration with internal and/or external parties to produce multiple publishable papers
• Utilize econometric and statistical analysis, as well as model estimation, to analyze data and generate insights that can inform policy on climate change, environmental topics, and/or natural resources; and identify areas for improvement
• Design and execute independent experiments and surveys in Asian Development Bank developing member economies to address climate change, natural resources and environmental challenges
• Compile analytical reviews and literature summaries for research projects, including collecting relevant documents and data from research publications, electronic databases, and online
• Present country-level research on climate change, environmental topics and/or natural resources, and simulate policy changes to assess their impact on key economic variables
• Analyze market failures and propose policies or interventions to address them, particularly in the environmental and development sectors in Asia
• Organize seminars, webinars, and conferences to showcase special issue papers in collaboration with partner journals
• Engage in structured dialogues with stakeholders to identify optimal interventions for field experiments and points of intervention, building on desk analyses
• Review research reports and produce blogs for publication via ADBI outreach channels; edit papers, documents, and other materials
• Stay informed about new regulations, international agreements, and environmental and climate standards to provide policy guidance to Asian governments
• Any other responsibilities as assigned by the Vice Chair of Research or Dean, ADBI

Selection Criteria

• PhD in economics specializing in applied development microeconomics, environmental, and natural resource economics, or other relevant area.
• At least 5-6 years of relevant work experience in academia or as a think tank researcher
• Experience leading projects, providing research support, handling analysis software, and addressing econometric model issues
• Fieldwork experience in Asian countries, including conducting surveys, games, and experiments
• Track record publishing original work in peer reviewed journals with high-impact factors
• Have published at least one single-authored journal article in a leading economic journal
• Preference for candidates with experience in conducting model-based estimations in their own research with a solid understanding of microeconomics theory, environmental economics, and natural resources
• Well-versed in Latex, Stata, EViews, Microsoft Word & Excel, and online experimental tools
• Ability to work collaboratively as a constructive team lead and team member
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Appointment Terms

The Consultant (Economist) will be based in Tokyo, with an initial term of one year. Any contract extension is subject to consultant performance and ADBI’s needs. Consultants are independent contractors; they are neither officers nor staff of ADBI. Consultants work under the direct supervision of ADBI professional staff.

Application Procedure

Applicants must be nationals of an Asian Development Bank member economy, currently residing in Japan, and/or already in possession of valid permission to work in Japan.

Applicants are invited to apply online. Please attach a resume, Personal History Form, and cover letter.

Applications should be submitted no later than 14 March 2024, 5:00 pm, Tokyo time.

Upon submitting, please wait for your application to load. Once completed, you will be redirected to a thank you page. Do not submit your application multiple times.

No email submissions will be accepted.

Women are encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.