Economic Adviser

Economic Adviser

Job #:

req22307

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Economics

Grade:

GH

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

5/8/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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 key 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 Economic Adviser with extensive country economic work and 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 stewardship of operational policy and quality regarding Development Policy Financing (DPF) and Country Engagement; as well as Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) policy, procedures and guidance. The position will involve frequent interaction with World Bank Senior Management as well as Global Practices and Regions. It will provide an opportunity to develop leadership and gain broad exposure to high-level strategic and operational priorities across the Bank.

OPCS plays a pivotal role in achieving the World Bank Group's mission, providing advice and support to staff and senior management on matters related to Bank operations and Country Engagement. where this position is located, provides policy, quality, review and support functions for all Bank financing instruments and for Country Engagement products and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA).

Within the Operations Policy department (OPSPO), the Country Economics Unit (OPSCE) is responsible for the policy framework surrounding the Country Engagement Model (including Country Partnership Frameworks -CPF) as well as DPFs and ASA (including Reimbursable Advisory Services). The unit also houses the Secretariats of the Operations Committee (OC) and the Committee of Vice Presidents on Operational Matters (OVP). The unit leads the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) and plays a central role in informing IDA and IBRD resource allocations, in partnership with DFI and CRO. The unit is also contributing to the important debt sustainability and transparency agenda through its participation on the Sustainable Development Finance Policy (SDFP) Committee and corporate review of Debt Sustainability Analyses (DSA). The Department is also frequently asked to take on or contribute to special assignments with high corporate visibility or sensitivity and is currently a core contributor to the Evolution Roadmap and Paris Alignment work streams.

Note: This requisition is posted internally for WBG and IMF staff only. External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will be rejected.

Duties and Accountabilities

The successful applicant will become a member of the Country Economics Unit and will report to the Manager of the Unit. The work program will comprise individual assignments as well as tasks jointly delivered by the Country Economics Unit. She or he will:

• Serve as one of the Bank-wide champions of operational policy and quality in the areas of DPF operations (including Policy-Based Guarantees) and Country Engagement products (including Country Partnership Frameworks, Country Engagement Notes, Performance and Learning Reviews and Completion and Learning Reviews). 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.
• Lead or contribute to the Unit's active work program on reforms for enhanced quality and impact of ASA within the Strategic Framework for Knowledge (SFK); Support the development and implementation of policy, procedures and guidance governing ASA; and advise task teams.
• Lead or contribute to the tasks of the OC/OVP Secretariat; Contribute to briefing Senior Management on a broad range of economic policy and development topics, including for MD-chaired OC or OVP review meetings.
• Provide OPCS advice and guidance to RVPs, Global Practice 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 ad-hoc advice.
• 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 supporting task teams and country teams in grounding these deliverables in a sound analytical and economic framework.
• Contribute to the annual Bank-wide Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) exercise.
• Provide support on IBRD exposure management and on IDA allocation, including the Sustainable Development Finance Policy (SDFP), as well as IDA and IBRD-related policy issues, in close partnership with CRO and DFI.
• Contribute to complex corporate issues that involve OPSCE, including the agendas for the WBG Evolution, Paris Alignment, outcome-orientation, aid effectiveness, fragile states.
• 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.

Selection Criteria

• Passion for the WBG mission.
• Advanced degree in economics.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience within the World Bank and/or external experience.
• Sustained record of achieving high-quality results over an extended period.
• Solid experience as a Task Team Leader (TTL) of DPF operations and/or as TTL of Country Engagement Products, including CPFs.
• Proven ability to lead the production of complex, impactful, high-quality ASA or policy papers in a demanding environment.
• Deep technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: macro-fiscal economics, economic growth, subnational economics, distributional impact of fiscal policies, debt policy and management, government finance and quality of government expenditures, climate change and greening growth, management of natural resource rents, macroeconomic impact of ageing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to represent OPCS with internal and external partners. Strong diplomatic skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically. Ability to interact effectively and frequently with Senior Management.
• Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment, combined with rigor and attention to detail. Proven ability to identify and articulate policy issues, tradeoffs and priorities; and to provide technically and strategically sound policy advice.
• Proven sense of initiative; ability to juggle tight deadlines, be proactive, and work collaboratively and effectively in teams.

Required Professional Competencies

• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Links macroeconomic, institutional, and microeconomic-level behaviors and is able to support findings/policy recommendations with robust analysis and tools.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies.
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Able to anticipate needs and requests from, and conducts independent policy discussions with, country representatives.
• Integrative Skills - Understands how relevant cross-sectoral areas are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.
• Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience - Able to translate technical macroeconomic analyses into policy recommendations and lessons learned.
• Written and Verbal Communication - Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade a variety of counterparts to accept ideas and suggestions.

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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