Lead Economist

Lead Economist

Job #:
req19321

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Economics

Grade:
GH

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English, French

Preferred Language(s):
Portuguese and Spanish would be advantageous

Closing Date:
10/21/2022 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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

UNIT CONTEXT

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR AFRICA (AFECE)

The Office of the Chief Economist in the Africa Region (AFECE) generates timely and relevant knowledge on policy and institutional reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. It produces research articles and reports on the most pressing development issues facing the continent and fosters a community of economists interested in Sub-Saharan Africa, within the World Bank and on the continent. Since July 1, 2020, the office supports the two Vice-Presidencies for Sub-Saharan Africa (AFE) and (AFW).

Work in the Office of the Chief Economist in the Africa Region (AFECE) is organized around 6 pillars:

1. Production of periodical Macro-monitoring and outlook ("Africa's Pulse", Africa Weekly Economic and Financial Monitoring);
2. Knowledge generation: Regional Studies done in collaboration with Global Practices and Research papers on important questions relevant to the Region;
3. Linking knowledge to operations: Mainstreaming regional studies and ASA's findings into SCDs, CPFs, DPOs, and review of selected investment projects;
4. Knowledge Management and Client engagement: Seminar Series, outreach to internal and external clients, conferences, etc.;
5. Quality control/review: Comments for corporate and regional products ASAs and Operations;
6. Knowledge uptake capacity building/mobilization in client countries: Work with African research networks, think tanks, and Chief Economists of Government.

The Office of the Chief Economist in the Africa Region (AFECE) is also home to a number of innovative undertakings, some of which have been replicated in other regions of the World Bank. These include (i) The Gender Innovation Lab (GIL), (ii) The "Chief Economists of Government" (CEoG) network , (iii) The "Afronomics" Podcast; (iv) The "WBG-Africa Fellowship Program", (v) The "Africa Knowledge Fest": A competition to showcase the most impactful knowledge products on Africa of the past 5 years, and (vi) The "Knowledge in Time (KiT) for Covid-19 Seminar Series", featuring African Academic and policy makers on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19 and uncovering African solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The selected candidate will be part of the AFECE team working with other colleagues and under the supervision of the Chief Economist to carry out research and analysis to support the preparation of the Office's various outputs. To this end, s/he will:

• Contribute to the conceptualization and preparation of AFECE bi-annual publication by producing analytical studies, research papers, policy notes, and presentations that underlie the economic updates;
• Contribute analytical inputs to selected knowledge products or lending operations led by staff in the Global Practices or the Cross-Country Solution Areas and focused on sub-Saharan countries;
• Engage with researchers, policy makers, think tanks and civil society representatives in African countries to support the exchange of knowledge; and
• Provide advice on key institutional products, including representing the region in corporate reviews;

The selected candidate will report to the Africa Chief Economist.

Selection Criteria

• A Ph.D degree in Economics and a minimum of twenty years of professional experience, focusing on poverty, inequality, human development, labor and social protection;
• A strong track record of policy relevant analytical work demonstrated by publications in peerreviewed journals;
• A strong track record of computational and data analysis skills; • Familiarity with Bank's core analytical products in operations and ability to contribute tools and analysis to improve the quality of ASA in the region;
• A track record of analytical work in sub-Saharan African countries, and preferably a working knowledge of French;
• Proven track record in delivering on time on complex and high-profile tasks;
• Demonstrated skills in team work, as well as entrepreneurial skills to find solutions and increase impact.

Competencies:

The Africa Regions are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses a track record of intellectual leadership and ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and specific micro sector fields of expertise; provides quality assurance and assesses technical soundness of work reports.

Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Influences the design and execution of major policy and or research initiatives; conceives and promotes innovations in development policies, project design, organization and management to improve operational and sector work.

Policy Dialogue Skills - Has a track record of conducting effective policy dialogue with country counterparts; communicates and defends difficult issues and positions to senior bank management and government officials.

Integrative Skills - Possesses in-depth understanding of Bank resources in all areas of work in the network, and proven fungibility.

Country Economics Experience - Has strong record of task leadership of complex policy-based lending operations, major economic reports or other published work relating to education, skills, health, nutrition, social protection or labor.

Written and Verbal Communication - Demonstrates a strong command of all forms of communication and delivers messages in a consistently effective, timely and engaging manner

Client Orientation - Translates insight into practice across disciplines, hierarchies, geographies and organizational units.

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries).External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

WBG Managerial Competencies

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.