Economist

The World Bank
Yangon - Myanmar
S: Competitive

Background

The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region presents a dramatic illustration of the principal global dynamics, opportunities and risks of the 21st century. After making the fastest progress in growth and poverty reduction of any region around the world in the last quarter century, some countries in the region are poised to become middle-income, and others are preparing to join the small group of high-income countries. Such rapid transformation is leading to the largest shift in rural-to-urban population in human history, generating rising inequality within and across countries, while leaving some countries, sub-national regions and groups behind. The continuing global financial crisis also threatens the sustainability of the gains with countries across the region being forced to address the resulting impacts on macroeconomic stability, economic growth, employment and poverty.

Department and Unit Context
Within the EAP Region, the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department (EAP PREM) is responsible for the Bank's work in the areas of economic policy, public sector management and governance, trade, poverty and inequality, and gender. This involves the provision of policy and implementation advice as well as financial support to our clients through analytical work, technical assistance, lending and supervision in close consultation with the field-based Country Directors. Staff in the department also conduct cross-country analyses of issues that are of interest across the region, monitor regional economic developments including through contributions to semi-annual economic updates, and work with other sectoral staff to address cross-cutting challenges.

The department is highly decentralized with about three-quarters of its staff located in country offices. The management structure of the department includes a DC-based Sector Director, a DC-based sector manager/lead economist (who is also the thematic lead economist for economic policy and trade); two country office-based sector managers (in Bangkok, to whom this position will report, and Jakarta); four country-office based lead economists; and two thematic lead economists (for public sector governance and poverty/gender). This group collectively comprises the EAP PREM departmental management team and provides the overall strategic and operational leadership. Each of the thematic lead economists for public sector and governance, poverty/gender, and economic policy/trade facilitates communities of practice and provide strategic leadership in her/his respective areas of expertise. The selected candidate will work closely with the Senior Economist and Country Manager for Myanmar and report to the PREM Sector Manager in Bangkok in the matrix management environment.

The Myanmar Context
Located in a dynamic region and richly endowed with natural resources, Myanmar has tremendous economic potential. However, Myanmar today suffers from a legacy of economic mismanagement, poor governance and international isolation, resulting in high poverty rates, declining human capital and environmental degradation. There has been progress in a range of areas under a new civilian government that took power following elections in 2011. The new government has pursued a policy of national reconciliation and economic reform. The latter has included moves to liberalize the economy, including through reform of the exchange rate regime, regulatory reform, and increased transparency. In response to these changes, the Bank has begun re-engaging with the country, and an important milestone was passed with the clearance of IDA arrears in January 2013 paving the way for a full reengagement with the World Bank Group.

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 2 year term appointment.

Job summary