Chief Economist

Chief Economist

Job #:
req19667

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Other

Grade:
GI

Term Duration:
4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
11/15/2022 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

South Asia Region (SAR)

The World Bank Group serves eight client countries in the South Asia Region, home to nearly 1.8 billion people. Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income countries to IDA countries to fragile and small island and landlocked states. Over the past few years, work has focused on the response to the COVID-19 crisis. In FY22, the region delivered $10.7 billion in financing for client countries and an impressive amount of ASA and engagements with countries. The focus for the post-pandemic recovery lies on economic recovery and prudent fiscal and debt management; private sector expansion and job creation; climate resilience and improving human capital. The region will continue to support progress on structural reforms and invest in inclusion, gender equality, productive jobs, climate resilience and digital economy.

For more information on the South Asia Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

As the Chief Economist of the SAR Region, you will be the principal economic advisor to the Vice-President and the Regional Leadership Team and will be responsible for the quality and relevance of regional economic and analytical and advisory services including economic aspects of implementing the strategy. In addition, you will be a member of SAR Regional Leadership Team (RLT) and represent the SAR Region in the World Bank's Chief Economist Council. Working with a dedicated team of economists, as well as with staff and managers working on the SAR region.

Duties and Accountabilities :

The Office of the Chief Economist is responsible for the following roles, programs and products.

1. Research: The Chief Economist deploys the unit's staff, leverages and mobilizes talent from other World Bank units, as well as from the academic community and think tanks to design, implement, and disseminate a robust, rigorous, and policy-relevant Regional Research Program. The program is developed in consultation with the Regional Leadership Teams and approved by the Regional Vice-President. The Chief Economist leads the preparation of regional flagship reports and studies, backed-up by research papers of academic caliber.

2. Engagement: Through the semiannual report for the region, participation in multiple conferences and seminars, and communication through traditional and social media, the Chief Economist helps shape a narrative for the region. This engagement is conducted in partnership with other relevant multilateral organizations, government counterparts, key influencers at the country level, regional research networks, and academic institutions. It involves the organization of policy-oriented and academic events to promote evidence-based discussion of issues that are seen as priorities for the region.

3. Advice: As a member of the regional leadership teams, you will actively participate in the discussion of major lending operations, and especially of those involving policy reforms. On request, you will also contribute to engagements at the country level, to enhance the quality of important analytical products by other units in the region, and to review major corporate products and initiatives, such as global flagship reports, sectoral strategies, financial innovations and data-related undertakings.

4. Quality Enhancement: Contribute to uphold the quality of economic work in the region, including Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA), Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) and the economics of lending operations.

Other Accountabilities:
• Provide intellectual leadership on economic matters to ensure the quality and relevance of economic and sector non-lending services• Provide advice to Regional Managers and to the RVPs on Systematic Country Diagnostics and Country Partnership Frameworks• Provide guidance on the design and ensure the quality of development policy finance and P4R• Ensure the quality of sectoral and economic analysis in investment project financing• Develop, guide and disseminate regional economic work for example the Regional Studies Program• Act as regional spokesperson on economic issues for both internal and external audiences• Interact with the academic and policy communities in client countries and internationally• Liaise with the economic units of other international and bilateral agencies working with the region• Support the RVP, Country Directors and Regional Directors on country and sectoral policy dialogue at their request• Support the Bank's Chief Economist with requested regional inputs to the WDR, GDF, GEP and other institutional policy papers, and with respect to the research Agenda of DEC• Represent the World Bank Group in such external functions as the Senior Management may request

Selection Criteria
• International recognition as a thought leader as demonstrated by publications in professional journals• Demonstrated ability to work with senior government officials to resolve complex economic problems and provide policy advice at the national level• Ability and willingness to work in a corporate, team environment• Highly respected by policymakers, peers, and staff as mentor, advisor, and guide• Proven ability to share knowledge and experience, and to identify and disseminate best practices• Demonstrated leadership values and exemplification of WBG managerial and core competencies, as referenced below• Personal leadership in shaping and leading new agendas, bringing thought leadership and analysis together with delivery capacity for maximum client impact• Proven ability to share knowledge and experience, and to identify and disseminate best practices• Ability to write and express complex economic ideas to different audiences, including the general public

Position-Specific Requirements:
• Ph.D. in economics or closely related discipline• Minimum of 15 years' experience as a professional economist • Substantive senior level professional experience in research and public/private/academic organizations• Policy-making experience desirable

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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