Immediate Vacancy: Lead Economist

Do you want to build a career that is truly worth while? 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

THE ROLE OF THE GLOBAL PRACTICE FOR ECONOMIC POLICY (EP) IN THE WBG:

Economic Policy houses the Bank’s country economists together with trade economists and specialists, debt and macro modeling experts, competition, business environment and investment policy experts who work together to support countries in their search for private sector-led, inclusive growth. Economic Policy offers integrated solutions to macroeconomic and private-sector-focused structural reform programs. In doing so, Economic Policy staff often serve integrative functions, working closely with other GPs.

Economic Policy staff work across a wide array of Bank instruments, ranging from Development Policy Operations to IFC-funded advisory projects, combining the strength of Bank analysis and lending with longstanding IFC expertise in providing implementation support at the country level. Economic Policy staff often lead or participate in the preparation of Strategic Country Diagnostics for both the public and private sectors, as well as other analytic tools such as Country Economic Memorandum and Country Private Sector Diagnostics. Knowledge and learning is a central part of Economic Policy’s work focused on 9 thematic areas: (a) macroeconomics; (b) fiscal policy; (c) growth; (d) economic management in resource rich environments; (e) macroeconomic modelling & statistics; (f) trade and regional integration; (g) competition policy; (h) investment policy and promotion; and (i) business regulation.

REGIONAL AND COUNTRY CONTEXT:

Economic Policy in AFE is recruiting for a Lead Economist to be based in Addis Ababa covering the countries covered by the Ethiopia CMU: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan. Ethiopia, a fast-growing economy with a population of over 100 million is experiencing a process of significant political and economic change. The Government has taken bold steps to restore peace with Eritrea and introduced important domestic political reforms. In parallel, the Government announced a range of economic reforms designed to revitalize the Ethiopian economy by strengthening the role of the private sector with support from the World Bank. Given Ethiopia’s size and location, this shift could have positive implications for the entire Region. Sudan’s arrears were recently cleared, opening the door for Sudan to become one of the largest IDA borrowers. South Sudan is a highly fragile country, but with a peace deal now holding for a year, and implementation of an IMF SMP the prospects for budget support, on top of an ongoing ASA program are growing.

Eritrea is in arrears and broader engagement is currently not planned.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Lead the economic dialogue in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders
• Provide guidance to TTLs, lead or participate in Development Policy Operations or other types of lending operations as needed
• Provide guidance to TTLs or lead ASA and policy notes
• Supports the analytical work program of the CMU, including the preparation of country engagement products and other key strategic pieces
• Mentors the group of Economic Policy GP economists (s) working on these countries
• Participates actively in the Economic Policy Global Practice, the country team for these countries and the EAEM2 Unit
• Serves as a focal point or spokesperson on economic issues to clients and other external constituencies and expert economic groups

Selection Criteria

• Ph.D degree in economics with at least twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience, including a track record of delivery of high-quality analytical and advisory products.
• Strong analytical skills in macroeconomic and fiscal management as well as economic growth analysis.
• Proven ability to conduct policy-relevant research.
• Proven experience in leading high-impact development policy operations; sound knowledge of Bank lending tools and procedures.
• Integrative capacity, including the ability to situate sectoral issues within a broader development framework.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex analyses to non-specialist audiences.
• Strong client-orientation and diplomatic skills combined with candor and courage of opinion.
• Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet deadlines.
• Entrepreneurial capabilities that can be deployed in identifying and securing new business opportunities.
• High energy and demonstrated interest in achieving impact through analytical work and technical assistance for demanding and sophisticated clients. Previous experience in delivering high-impact work in a country under economic transformation or experience with countries in transition to a market economy would be a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.

2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.

3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics