Chief Economist (Based in Beijing)

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); Greater London; On-site; GBP 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is looking for a Chief Economist to oversee the Economics Department's strategic planning and execution. This role involves leading economic research and analysis to support AIIB's mission of sustainable infrastructure investment.

Successful candidates will have at least 20 years of relevant experience, including a doctorate in economics or similar fields, and must demonstrate exceptional leadership and analytical skills. Join us in impacting social and economic outcomes across Asia.

Qualifications

• 20 years of relevant experience in economic research and publications.
• 10 years in a leadership role within multinational development.
• Established reputation in academic circles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Economics Department and its strategic vision.
• Oversee economic analysis supporting AIIB’s mandate.
• Manage the performance of senior team members.

Skills

Leadership

Economic research

Communication in English

Team management

Planning and administration

Education

Doctorate degree in economics or related field

Master's degree in economics, development finance

Job description

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing Infrastructure for Tomorrow in Asia and beyond – infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in 2016 and have since grown to 111 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and AAA-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Collaborating with partners, AIIB meets clients' needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled, and promotes regional connectivity.

The Economics Department is responsible for economic analysis in AIIB, which includes macroeconomics monitoring, analyzing country and sectoral infrastructure needs, debt sustainability analysis, review of project economics, as well as supporting sector and investment strategies at the Bank.

The Chief Economist will lead the planning, implementation, and oversight of the Economics Department, including setting its vision, strategy, and work plan in support of AIIB’s mandate and Corporate Strategy. In this capacity, the Chief Economist will play a central role in promoting the Bank’s thought leadership in sustainable infrastructure development by setting the strategic direction and overseeing the delivery of research on economic issues that support AIIB’s mandate and operations. The role will also support AIIB’s investment activities by overseeing assessments of macroeconomic conditions, debt sustainability, and project economics for proposed financings, in accordance with AIIB policies. In addition, the Chief Economist will contribute to both internal and external capacity-building by guiding the preparation of departmental publications in accordance with the Bank’s publications strategy and governance processes. Finally, the Chief Economist will be responsible for informing AIIB’s Board ad Senior Management of key macroeconomic developments and emerging challenges.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of the Executive Committee, which is the seniormost management committee of the Bank with collective responsibility for the overall management of the Bank’s corporate performance and results.
• Serve as a member of the Bank’s committees, as determined by the President.
• Represent the Bank and articulate its strategy and activities among external constituencies, stakeholders, and partners, as tasked by the President.
• Develop and promote the department’s vision, strategy, work plan, and objectives and key results in support of AIIB’s mandate and Corporate Strategy and in compliance with AIIB policies.
• Provide leadership in professional and operational matters, taking the lead in introducing new, innovative approaches to policy and programmatic issues.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and supervision of the department’s work programs as well as monitor the quality of outputs, achievement of long-term goals, and annual objectives for the department.
• Strategically plan the department’s resource requirements, and ensure lean and efficient allocation of budget and resources.
• Oversee effective cooperation and alignment with AIIB departments.
• Lead the innovation, planning, coordination, and execution of the department’s research activities, including emerging trends like AI innovation as well as collaborative research with other Bank departments and select institutions.
• Oversee the provision of analytical support and economic analysis to operations and other departments.
• Oversee the development of appropriate methodologies for the conduct and monitoring of economic analysis for programmatic engagements, particularly rolling pipelines and policy-based lending.
• Oversee the continuous review and Bank-wide dissemination of collaborative economic analysis of investment programs and projects as well as other economic research and development analysis being carried out in AIIB.
• Oversee the collection of statistical data to maintain an integrated, collaborative database and provide related services under the Bank’s data governance framework.
• Lead the department’s structure, including systematic delegation and cross-team collaboration, and ensure the overall quality of the department’s work.
• Manage the performance of senior team members by providing clear direction and regular feedback on performance, including their corporate positioning and collaboration.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their ongoing learning and development.

Requirements:

• Doctorate degree or equivalent in economics, development finance, infrastructure finance, public/business administration, or related fields. Master’s degree in economics, development finance, or infrastructure finance, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a doctorate degree.
• Minimum 20 years of relevant experience, with an excellent track record of economic research and publications in internationally refereed journals, including minimum 10 years’ experience in a leadership capacity.
• Experience working in the development sector globally.
• High-level experience of multilateral development banks’ organizational policies and procedures, including budgeting and human resource management.
• Established reputation in international academic circles, and the ability to project the role of AIIB as a leader in development.
• Demonstrated performance in motivating, leading, and delegating diverse teams of highly qualified professionals.
• Superior planning, managerial, and administrative skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

AIIB is committed to diversity, transparency, and inclusion. We believe our strength comes from having a team with the right diverse skills, experiences, and abilities selected through a merit-based competitive process. We actively encourage applications from people from both within and outside AIIB members, regardless of nationality, religion, gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation.

Join in AIIB's mission to promote sustainable infrastructure investments and to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond.

Previous experience and qualifications will determine the grade and job title at which successful applicants will enter AIIB.