Economist, Social-Economic Impact (Base in Beijing)

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A multilateral development bank in Singapore is seeking an Economist specializing in social-economic impact. The role involves conducting research on social issues, supporting project design with social dimensions, and enhancing the Bank's thought leadership. Ideal candidates will have an advanced degree in economics, significant experience, and strong communication skills. The position offers a dynamic environment focused on sustainable development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in international organizations or related fields.
• Proven application of professional expertise in economic analysis and policy.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct economic analysis on social issues for Bank-financed projects.
• Support advancing AIIB’s gender and economic inclusion agenda.
• Collaborate on research and reports concerning socio-economic issues.

Skills

Development economics

Health economics

Social protection economics

Interpersonal skills

Research skills

Education

Advanced degree (PhD or Master's) in relevant fields

Job description

Economist, Social‑Economic Impact

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing infrastructure for tomorrow in Asia and beyond, with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in 2016 and have since grown to 110 approved members worldwide. AIIB is capitalized at USD100 billion and AAA‑rated by 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 of AIIB has three key responsibilities: (a) strengthening the development of projects and policy‑based lending in the Bank, (b) developing the Bank’s thought leadership on infrastructure and development finance, and (c) building the Bank’s external practice ecosystem to complement internal capacity to support the Bank’s operations. The department leads the Bank’s economic analysis, providing thought leadership through its annual flagship publication, Asian Infrastructure Finance, and a broad range of applied research.

The Economics Department is looking to hire an Economist (Social Impact) to support AIIB’s operations and thought leadership on socio‑economic issues. The Economist will focus on various aspects of social and inclusive development, including health, poverty, inequality, labour markets, social protection and gender. Successful candidates will conduct research on the social and inclusive‑development aspects of infrastructure development and integrate these dimensions into the operational work of the AIIB, including both project lending and policy‑based finance.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with other departments in the Bank to integrate social and inclusive dimensions and their intersection with climate change and nature into project design and reform matrices supporting policy‑based lending operations.
• Conduct economic analysis on health, poverty, inequality, labour markets, social protection and gender to provide inputs for the appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment of Bank‑financed projects and policy loans.
• Collaborate with other departments to advance AIIB’s gender and economic inclusion agenda, both upstream and downstream.
• Support the Economics Department in advancing research and thought leadership on socio‑economic issues and their intersection with climate change and nature through flagship reports, policy briefs and technical reports.
• Support the Head of Ecosystem on outreach, events, stakeholder engagements and ad‑hoc matters to build up the external research ecosystem.
• Support the Chief Economist on D&I matters, economic inclusion and gender economics, including research work and stakeholder engagements.
• Represent the Bank in technical discussions and policy forums related to health, poverty, inequality, labour markets, social protection and gender.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in economics, development economics, public policy or related fields, with a focus on social development, poverty analysis, health economics or social protection economics.
• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in large international organisations, universities, research institutions, think‑tanks, consultancy or financial institutions.
• Expertise in development economics or relevant disciplines (e.g., health economics, inclusion economics, sustainable development), experience in design and implementation of project‑level socio‑economic assessments, cost‑benefit analysis and related work, and an academic research record in development economics or policy‑relevant publications would be a plus.
• Proven application and track record of professional expertise in publications, policy analysis or contributions to development operations and economic analysis of the social aspects of development and/or infrastructure programmes and projects, including sectors such as energy, transport, water, health, climate mitigation and adaptation and urban development.
• Knowledge of social and economic challenges in developing and emerging economies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of working independently and in a team setting, and the ability to adapt and work under tight deadlines in a multicultural environment.

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.

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

ALL CURRENT VACANCIES – Closing Date: All opportunities close at 11:59 p.m. (GMT+8) on the dates listed.