Manager, Regional Economics
Job Description
Job #:
req21620
Organization:
IFC
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:
3/21/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC - a member of the World Bank Group - is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2020, we delivered more than US$ 22 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC is seeking a Manager to lead the Africa Regional Economics Department. She/he will lead a team of economists and strategy officers responsible for the delivery of regional and country-level economic assessments in support of IFC operations, analytical products such as the Country Private Sector Diagnostics, IFC Country Strategies, engagements with regional investment, advisory, and "upstream" (early project development work) teams, and making major contributions to World Bank Group products such as the Systematic Country Diagnostics, Country Climate and Development Reports, and World Bank development policy lending. She/he will be a motivated and dynamic professional, with exceptional analytical skills and policy-relevant experience, expertise in private sector development and applied research, a strong track record of team leadership and delivery of analytical products, working in collaboration with colleagues across the Africa region, other Regional Economics teams, the Economics and Private Sector VPU, and the World Bank as well as outside organizations. The selected candidate will report to the Vice President for the Africa Region with a secondary reporting line to the Director, Economic Policy Research in the Economics and Private Sector Development VPU. This position will be based in Washington, DC.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Africa Regional Economics team plays a key role in delivery of IFC's mandate in Africa. The role entails three primary functions: strategy, economic analysis, and operational support.
1. Strategy
• As part of the Regional Vice President front office, advise the Vice President regarding economic and strategic matters.
• Support the Regional Management Team (Regional Directors, Regional Head of Operations, Country Managers, Regional Industry Directors) to formulate, articulate, and communicate country and regional strategies that allow IFC to maximize its impact to address development challenges.
• Support the Regional Directors and Country Managers in WBG engagement process including Systematic Country Diagnostics and Country Partnership Frameworks, in close cooperation with the relevant industry teams, and World Bank teams.
• Coordinate the new Country Strategies and Business Plans along with the Country Managers and Regional Directors to develop a strategic direction for IFC's program at the country level.
• Liaise with the World Bank to leverage its knowledge and support in delivering IFC work program.
• Assist the Regional VP and Regional Directors to maintain close coordination and communications with the Board, other parts of the World Bank Group and partner agencies.
• Inform Regional Management Team and IFC Senior Management on major risks to the IFC program and portfolio in the region based on economic analysis and information gathered.
2. Economic Analysis
• Lead the team of Regional Economists as they produce analytical reports and policy notes on main economic issues pertaining to the Region-at the macro level and sectoral level, including but not limited to the Country Private Sector Diagnostics.
• Lead the team of Regional Economists as they monitor political, macroeconomic, and sector developments in the Region, and their impact on IFC operations.
• Lead the team of Regional Economists as they identify analytical gaps and design relevant analytical tools to address those gaps, including but not limited to IFC contributions to the Country Climate and Development Reports.
• Engage with the IMF, World Bank and other development partners on economic issues pertaining to the private sector.
• Keep abreast of latest research and innovative solutions pertaining to the private sector development agenda in the region, considering their practical applications.
3. Operational Support
• Engage throughout the project cycle (from upstream/concept to Board, and subsequently in Portfolio) to support advisory and investment teams to develop their projects by providing advice on macro-economic trends, country and regional context and risks.
• Work closely with the Economics and Private Sector VPU as well as the World Bank to coordinate advice to teams on development impact, creating markets and working within the World Bank Group to maximize the Cascade approach (i.e. working with Governments and World Bank to first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal).
• Work closely with World Bank Country Economists and contribute to the design of development policy lending operations across the World Bank Group.
• Support teams at Board meetings and meetings with Executive Directors to provide advice on country and regional context and strategic fit.
Selection Criteria
• PhD or Masters in economics or related field, PhD preferred, and at least 12 years of experience in economics, economic development, private sector development, or related fields.
• Strong grounding in economics both from academic and practical experience perspective, and knowledge of econometric approaches and economic modeling.
• Knowledge and Experience with economics in Africa required.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-impact publications and economic policy advice, with a particular focus on private sector audiences.
• Deep familiarity/experience in IFC or other financial institutions focused on the private sector, especially in developing countries.
• Proactive leadership in communicating on economic and macro trends that may influence IFC's business in emerging markets.
• Ability to engage/collaborate closely with the World Bank and IMF on policy and economic issues pertaining to the countries in the regions.
• Strong analytical, strategy formulation, and conceptual abilities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, as well as cultivate an active network of relationships inside and outside the organization and to represent IFC publicly as needed.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, proven ability to work effectively as a team leader, build high performing teams and manage and recruit talent.
• Ability to manage competing and sometimes unanticipated priorities, and tight deadlines.
• Meet Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria including courage of your convictions, leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, building talent for the future.
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.
Date Posted
03/10/2023
Views
8
Similar Jobs
Regional Director Public Sector Sales DOW - Chainguard
Views in the last 30 days - 0
The job seeks a Regional Director with sales expertise and security clearance to lead public sector initiatives and build partnerships Responsibilitie...
View DetailsManager, Customer Success - Bold Penguin
Views in the last 30 days - 0
Bold Penguin a leading digital solution platform for small commercial insurance is seeking a Manager of Customer Success The role involves leading a t...
View DetailsManager, Project Manager - Capital One
Views in the last 30 days - 0
Capital One a Fortune 500 company and one of the nations top 10 banks is seeking a Manager Project Manager The role involves leading critical and stra...
View DetailsPrincipal Project Manager, Commercial Bank - Capital One
Views in the last 30 days - 0
Capital One a Fortune 500 company and one of the nations top 10 banks is seeking a Principal Project Manager for its Commercial Bank The role involves...
View DetailsStrategic Account Manager - Fortune Brands Home & Security
Views in the last 30 days - 0
Fortune Brands Innovations Inc is seeking a Strategic Account Manager for their Moen brand The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the...
View DetailsSystem Concepts Optimization Engineering Manager - The Aerospace Corporation
Views in the last 30 days - 0
The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a System Concepts Optimization Engineering Manager to lead a team of engineers mathematicians and scientists The ...
View Details