Economist

The World Bank
Washington, DC - United States
S: Competitive

Background

Innovation and partnership bond the five institutions of the World Bank Group (WBG): the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resources and extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure that countries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge knowledge, the World Bank Group is constantly seeking to improve the way it works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development information and data.

This unique appointment will enable selected staff to work work in the Africa Region and the Bank's research department, DEC.

The Africa Region is headquartered in Washington, DC and has 38 field offices. Its mission is to enable Africa to realize its considerable development potential, with a particular focus on employment generation.
DEC houses the Bank's research, data, and forecasting units, and supports the research and corporate responsibilities of the Senior Vice President (SVP) and Chief Economist (CE). Within DEC, the Development Policy unit advises the SVP/CE on all relevant development policy issues, and leads the development of analytical work, including the WDR.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year renewable term appointment.

The Economist will report to the Director, DECDP and take direction from the Africa Region for Africa-specific work program components.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties

An Economist with significant Africa-specific research experience and expertise to work across the World Bank's research and Africa regional department, delivering world-class and policy-relevant development research.

• Carries out responsibilities for a variety of economic tasks (e.g. economic analyses, design of economic work programs, participation in economic policy research, discussions with country officials).
• Employs appropriate methodologies for handling simple and complex procurement tasks and/or issues
• Participates in developing and implementing economic strategy and assists in country specific economic policy work (e.g. collects/analyzes data; prepare chapters of country economic or sector reports, loan or research papers).
• Participates in missions in area of economic specialization, provides economic inputs and guidance to counterparts, assesses economic policy issues, prepares terms of reference for assigned economic work.

Criteria

Minimum Education/Experience:
Master's degree with 5 years experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education/Experience:
Please note that Ph.D. is the typical and highly preferred academic qualification for Economists working in the Bank's research department. Research Economist, with Ph.D. may have somewhat less experience.

Required Competencies
• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses a demonstrated track record of working with economic and sectoral data and analytical tools and models to conduct economic analyses and produce user-friendly written outputs; understands underlying statistical concepts.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Understands policy making process; distills operationally relevant recommendations/lessons for clients.
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders.
• Integrative Skills - Working to develop an integrated view across all facets of current sector.
• Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience - Demonstrates basic macroeconomic modeling skills and knowledge; understands how different accounts in an economy fit together and links among real, monetary, trade, debt and balance of payments accounts.
• Written and Verbal Communication - Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup
• Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions.
• Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients' stated and unstated needs.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
• Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.
• Statistical Knowledge and Experience - Demonstrates substantive working or functional proficiency level sufficient to apply this competency to all tasks requiring the competency including those with significant challenges
• Economic Report Writing - Experience as an applied economist, and a solid grasp of the statistical underpinnings of economic analysis
• Research Temperament /Intellectual Curiosity - Has demonstrated an aptitude for research through academic studies and through practical experience
• The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Job summary