Regional : Establishing Global Research Alliances (Phase 2)

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural production

Education / Education sector development

Industry and trade / Industry and trade sector development - Trade and services

Public sector management / Public administration

Transport / Transport policies and institutional development

The TA aims to support alliances with reputable research organizations and development institutions through the conduct of more collaborative studies on selected development issues that are of critical importance to Asia and the Pacific.

The TA will finance four collaborative studies with external partners. Each study will involve (i) the production of high-quality knowledge products such as research papers, reports, policy briefs, opinion pieces, and books; (ii) conferences, seminars, workshops, and multi-media events to discuss and disseminate research findings; and (iii) roundtable discussions on research findings with officials and policy makers from developing member countries.

Supporting research alliances will help ADB pursue its objective of becoming a knowledge bank by establishing a wider research network, tap a larger pool of talents and access a broader range of expertise, improve effectiveness and efficiency in producing high-quality knowledge products, enhance its capacity in producing knowledge solutions and in crafting policy alternatives, disseminate knowledge solutions more widely through its partners' networks and, ultimately, raise the profile of ADB as a knowledge institution.

ADB's Strategy 2020 aims to turn into reality the vision of an Asia and Pacific region free of poverty by focusing on three development agendas: (i) inclusive economic growth, (ii) environmentally sustainable growth, and (iii) regional integration. In support of these agendas, Strategy 2020 identifies knowledge solutions and promoting partnerships as major drivers of change. In response, the Technical Assistance (TA) Strategic Forum 2008 highlighted the need for establishing more knowledge partnerships with external parties such as development institutions, research institutes, and private and civil society organizations. The Economics and Research Department (ERD) Priorities for 2010-2012 also identified establishing external research partnerships as one of its key initiatives in improving ERD's efficiency and effectiveness. These partnerships will be expanded under ERD's Strategic Initiatives for 2012-2014.

1. High-quality knowledge products produced and disseminated

2. Research alliances established with renowned research organizations and development institutions

A. International Consultants

1. Individual Consultants (international, as required, intermittent)

Teams of individual consultants will be engaged for a total of 40 person-months to undertake research on food security and other topics to be determined. They will include economists, social scientists, and environmental economists with well-established research records in development economics in general and the study topics in particular.

2. Economics Editor (international, 4 person-months, intermittent)

An economics editor with extensive experience in editing economic publications will be engaged to ensure quality of the publications.

3. Resource Persons (as required, intermittent)

A number of resource persons, with background as policy makers and/or experts, will be engaged to review the draft background papers, reports, and books, and as participants or discussants in workshops.

B. National Consultants

1. Research Assistants (as required, intermittent)

Depending on the needs of the different studies, a number of research assistants with backgrounds in economics and strong analytical skills will be engaged to support the study. They will also assist in coordinating and organizing the workshops and other events.

2. Copy Editor and Graphic and Layout Artist (national, 6 person-months,intermittent)

A copy editor will be engaged to ensure that edited materials adhere to ADB style and usage and conform to high publication standards. In addition, a graphic and layout artist will be engaged to lay out the text, tables, and charts, and convert the files into the required format for publication. The consultants should possess expertise in copy editing and desktop publishing, and preferably have extensive experience in similar assignments involving preparation of economic publications.

C. Partner Research Institution (as required)

A reputable economic research institution (partner institution) with well-known expertise in key economic and development issues in Asia and the Pacific will be engaged to organize and coordinate the preparation, publication, and dissemination of research outputs. In consultation with ADB, the partner institution will create a study team comprising economists and/or social scientists with proven expertise related to the study areas, as well as engage experts from outside the institution to serve as discussants or peer reviewers.