Economist

Economist

Job #:
req18578

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Economics

Grade:
GF

Term Duration:
1 year 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English, Spanish

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
8/19/2022 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build acareer that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) providesa unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatestdevelopment challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources offunding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership offive institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing sharedprosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries andmore than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sectorpartners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, andtechnology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For moreinformation, visit www.worldbank.org

THE ROLE OF THE GLOBALPRACTICE FOR MACROECONOMICS, TRADE and INVESTMENT (MTI) IN THE WBG

The Macroeconomics, Tradeand Investment (MTI) Global Practice is comprised of some 450 staff, withalmost half working in country offices around the world. MTI houses the Bank'scountry economists together with trade economists and specialists, debt andmacro modeling experts, and fiscal experts. MTI offers integrated solutions tomacroeconomic and structural reform programs. In doing so, MTI staff workclosely with other Global Practices (GP).

MTI staff help to shapeand lead knowledge and learning related activities across a range of thematicareas, including but not limited to: (a) macroeconomics; (b) fiscal policy; (c)growth; (d) economic management in resource rich environments; (e)macroeconomic modelling & statistics; (f) trade and regionalintegration.

THE LATIN AMERICA ANDTHE CARIBBEAN REGION (LCR)

The World Bank Group serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and theCaribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticatedmiddle-income countries to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to onefragile state. Despite immense resources and dynamic societies, deepinequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of theRegion's people living in poverty. Over the past few years, work has focused onthe response to the COVID-19 crisis. The focus now is on post-pandemic recoveryin a four-pillar strategy: Create the conditions for firms to boost productivityand job creation; Begin to tackle the mounting debt levels by increasingspending efficiency and raising revenues (where they are low); Manage/containinflation without jeopardizing the economic recovery; Set a course towards agreener development to ensure the post pandemic trajectory is also sustainable.The region will continue to support progress on structural reforms and investin inclusion, gender equality, productive jobs and climate resilience. In FY22,the region delivered $10.5 billion in financing for client countries ($9.4billion from IBRD, $1 billion from IDA and $144 million from trust funds) andan impressive amount of ASA and engagements with countries.

For moreinformation on the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR): https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/lac

The regional context hasbecome even more complex in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which willrequire fast and effective policy response from LAC countries. The Bank - andMTI in particular - will play an important role in supporting the countries inthe region to face this unexpected and massive shock.
We are seeking anoutstanding economist to work on analytical and lending activities on taxpolicy. You will be an integral part of the global MTI GP and will report tothe MTI Practice Manager covering Latin America and the Caribbean.

TASKS and RESPONSABILITIES:

The economist willcontribute across the full range of the unit's deliverables and activities, supportthe country team in areas of expertise and provide cross support to teams fromother global practices in the preparation and supervision of projects,integrating economic perspectives in other sectors' work as needed.

In particular:

*Benchmark tax policiesof LAC countries with other countries, including by looking at the efficiency,effectiveness, simplicity and fairness of tax systems;

*Assess taxexpenditures of Personal Income Tax (PIT), Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and ValueAdded Tax (VAT) systems to assess fiscal costs and other effects based ondifferent data sources and methodologies;

*Identify opportunitiesand constraints to tax reforms in LAC countries, including related toenvironment taxation;

*Assess impact of taxreforms, taking into account linkages with informality, evasion, fiscalmultiplier effects and equity;

*Assess theinterlinkages between taxation and environment, including carbon prices;

*Quantify fuelsubsidies;

*Support theimplementation of tax policy reforms.

LOCATION and REPORTING:

The economist will bebased in Washington, DC and will work in close cooperation with other membersof the MTI team working, under the supervision of the Practice Manager forLatin America and the Caribbean.

Selection Criteria
• Master's degreein economics plus at least 5 years of relevant professional experience or PhDdegree in economics with 3 years professional experience (PhD preferred);
• Proven knowledgeand experience in the areas of macroeconomic policy; economic growth andproductivity; fiscal and debt sustainability;
• Demonstratedability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing anddemanding environment and capacity to meet tight deadlines;
• Attention todetail and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments on schedule;
• Proven ability towork in teams;
• Excellent writtenand verbal communication skills.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.