Job Details

Senior Economist

 Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Do you want to join a dynamic and collegial team working on strategic corporate and operational issues? The Country Economics Unit (OPSCE), in the Operations Policy Department (OPSPO) of the Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) Vice Presidency, is seeking a seasoned and highly motivated Senior Economist with strong technical skills and robust operational experience in the World Bank. 

This high-profile assignment, which is professionally mapped to the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (MTI) Global Practice, will involve advising on debt issues and economic analysis required for Development Policy Financing (DPF) operations and Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs), and stewardship of operational policy and quality regarding DPF and Country Engagement (CE) products (including CPFs, Country Engagement Notes, Performance and Learning Reviews and Completion and Learning Reviews). It will also involve contributing to the Unit’s work under the Evolution process and other high-profile strategic corporate priorities. The position will require frequent interaction with senior management in Global Practices, Regions, and corporate departments, IFC and MIGA. It will provide an opportunity to develop leadership and gain broad exposure to strategic operational issues, across all Regions of the Bank, and the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the functioning of the Bank. 

The Country Economics Unit (OPSCE) within the Operations Policy Department (OPSPO) provides policy, quality support, review, and advisory functions for DPFs, CE products, and Analytical and Advisory work. The unit also works closely with the Finance complex on issues related to IDA and IBRD policy and financing and manages the annual Bank-wide Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) process. OPSCE also contributes to the important debt sustainability and transparency agenda through its active participation on the Sustainable Development Finance Policy (SDFP) Committee. The unit is also very involved in a broad range of strategic, high-level streams of corporate work, working closely with other departments across the WBG under the Evolution process on enhancements to our Client Engagement model, Global Challenge Programs, Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness, the Crisis Toolkit, The Financial Incentives Framework for IBRD countries, the Knowledge Compact, Guarantee reforms, etc. OPSCE unit also houses the Secretariats of the Operations Committee (OC) and the Committee of Vice Presidents on Operational Matters (OVP).

Roles & Responsibility:

You will become a member of the Country Economics Unit (OPSCE) and will report to the Manager of the Country Economics Unit. Your work program will comprise individual assignments as well as tasks jointly delivered by the Country Economics Unit.  You will: 
• Serve as one of the Bank-wide champions of operational policy and quality of DPF operations (including Policy-Based Guarantees) and Country Engagement products. This will involve developing the thinking on operations policy, procedures and guidance concerning these products as well as maintaining and revising them; delivering periodic retrospectives and reviews of their performance; disseminating good practices and training; and providing formal and informal advice to DPF task teams and Senior Management.
• Provide OPCS advice and guidance to RVPs, Verticals VPs, Country and Regional Directors, Managers and Task Team Leaders on the preparation of DPF operations and CPFs -- including through concept and Regional Operations Committee Reviews, and informal advice.
• Contribute to complex corporate and strategic issues that involve OPSCE, including key initiatives under the WBG Evolution, and our thinking on outcome-orientation, knowledge impact, and fragility, conflict and violence (FCV).
• Provide advice on economic policy analysis required for DPF operations, Country Engagement products, and other corporate reports – such as macroeconomic analysis, fiscal and debt sustainability issues, analytic underpinnings of growth and structural reforms – and support task teams and country teams in grounding these deliverables in a sound analytical and economic framework.
• Provide support on IBRD exposure management and on IDA allocations, as well as IDA and IBRD-related policy issues, in close partnership with CRO and DFI.
• Provide support to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Finance Policy (SDFP), as well as SDFP policy enhancements.
• Contribute to the Unit’s active work program on reforms for enhanced quality and impact of ASA; Support the development and implementation of policy, procedures and guidance governing ASA; and advise task teams.
• Conduct analysis, research and outreach on issues related to the work of the Unit, including preparation of economic research papers, good practice notes and publications on key issues, including liaison with Executive Directors, country authorities and external partners.
• Support departmental responses to corporate requests and reporting--including from the Board and Senior Management--in areas related to the work of the Department.  

Selection Criteria

• Passion for the WBG mission and strong interest in the corporate work of the Bank and in helping to advance the WBG Evolution agenda.
• Advanced degree in Economics, PhD preferred.
• Sustained record of achieving high-quality substantive results over an extended period (typically at least 8 years of Bank and/or external experience)
• Excellent technical skills, and established track record of excellence in significant analytical and operational work in the areas relevant to the work of OPSCE (DPFs, Country engagement products, ASA). Experience as country economist is a plus.
• Solid experience as a Task Team Leader (TTL) of DPF operations and as team member for Country Engagement products. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to represent OPCS with external and internal partners. Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment, and ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically. 
• Strategic mindset combined with rigor and attention to details, and high level of dependability.
• Ability to work collegially on our small team and outstanding collaborative skills. 
• Ability to juggle tight deadlines and be proactive. 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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