Lead Economist

Lead Economist

Job #:

req22484

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

Preferred Language(s):

Spanish

Closing Date:

5/15/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build acareer that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides aunique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest developmentchallenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding andknowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of fiveinstitutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperityand promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners,investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technologyto 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,Trade and Investment (MTI) Global Practice 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 GPs.

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 Groupserves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region(LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticatedmiddle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragilestate. Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual percapita income of about US$4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCRcountries, with nearly a quarter of the Region's people living in poverty. TheBank's strategy in LCR is focused on three pillars: promoting inclusive growth,investing in human capital, and building resilience. This includes encouragingbetter governance and economic integration and leveraging the private financenecessary to address the region's pressing development needs.

The regional context hasbecome even more complex in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, sluggishgrowth, climate change and high food and energy prices, which severely affectthe most vulnerable. Rising interest rates complicate the management of alreadyhigh public debt levels. The Bank - and MTI in particular - will play animportant role in supporting the countries in the region to navigate thesechallenges. Given the scale of these challenges and momentum, there is apressing need to scale up integrated technical advice that helps countriescombine progress on macroeconomic, fiscal, social and climate objectives.

We are seeking anoutstanding Lead Economist to work on regional and country-specific macro-economicanalytics and country operations in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region(LCR).

Roles& Responsibilities

You will lead a rich andexciting work program supporting the LCR MTI team on the preparation oftransformative and innovative DPO and high-profile analytical work andcontribute to the regional macro monitoring with a view of providing policyadvice across the region. You will play a critical role in coordinate also withinternal and external stakeholders. You will also support the LCR MTI PM onsome key functions.

In particular, youwould:

- Provide intellectual and technical leadership on macroeconomic, fiscal, trade policy and growth issues, including related to climate change;

- Lead the development state-of-the-art approaches in applied economic analysis and in pioneering their implementation in operations and analytical work;

- Lead and contribute to a broad range of analytical and operational tasks;

- Actively initiative dialogue and build working-relationships with key government counterparts and development partners to ensure a high impact of analytical work and operations;

- Play a central role in business development;

- Lead the regional macro monitoring team to deliver monthly regional economic updates;

- Coordinate and provide key inputs to the bi-annual Macro-Poverty Outlooks for Latin America and the Caribbean in close collaboration with MTI country economists;

- Support the Practice Manager in maintaining high quality of operations and analytical work and coaching junior staff and provide inputs on corporate briefs and due diligence on macroeconomic issues;

- Facilitate knowledge flowwith the broader MTI GP.

Selection Criteria

- Minimum of a Masters' degree in Economics with at least 12 yearsof relevant professional experience (a completed PhD is equivalent to 3 yearsof relevant professional experience), including a track record of delivery ofhigh quality analytical and advisory services.

- Strong analytical skills in macroeconomic, fiscal, trade policy and growthanalysis, including related to climate change. Mastery of modern macroeconomicmodelling techniques is a plus;

- Proven track record in delivering high quality and technicallysophisticated analytical work and high-impact DPOs;

-Soundknowledge of WBG lending tools and procedures;

- Integrative capacity including the ability to situate sectoral issues withina broader development framework;

- Strong oral and written communication skills, in both English and Spanish, including the ability to present complex analyses to non-specialist audiences;

- Strong client-orientation and diplomatic skills combined with candor and courage of opinion;

- Strong client-orientation and diplomatic skills combined with candor and courage of opinion;

- Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, and teamwork qualities, and ability to work effectively across sectors/GPs;

- Entrepreneurial capabilities that can be deployed in identifying and securing new business opportunities;

- Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet deadlines;

- High energy and demonstrated interest in achieving impact through analytical work and technical assistance for demanding and sophisticated clients.

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.