Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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
Poverty and Equity Global Practice and SAR Region
The Poverty and Equity Global Practice, part of the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions vice-presidency, plays a crucial role in supporting the World Bank Group’s goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. It generates knowledge and dialogue and supports operational solutions, focusing on poverty monitoring and statistical capacity building, markets and institutions, fiscal and social policy, and resilience to shocks and sustainability. The practice is organized into seven regionally-oriented units—EAP, ECA, LAC, MNA, SAR, and two in AFR—each managed by a Practice Manager. The development and flow of global knowledge within the practice is facilitated through five cross-cutting thematic lines, each of which is led by a thematic Lead Economist. These are (1) data for policy analysis; (2) markets and institutions for poverty reduction and shared prosperity; (3) fiscal and social policy for poverty reduction and shared prosperity; and (4) welfare implications of climate change, fragility, and conflict risks. Every member of the practice is affiliated with, participates in, and contributes to the work of at least one of the thematic lines. In addition, the practice takes the lead in two corporate priority areas: (a) Data for Goals and (b) Systematic Country Diagnostics.
The South Asia Poverty Unit (ESAPV) covers eight countries with many challenges and opportunities. They are at different stages of economic development, but all share the common goal of eliminating extreme poverty and reducing inequality.
We seek an Economist to join our South Asia team based in DC to cover Afghanistan under the leadership of the team lead. Like all members of the Poverty GP, you will also be encouraged to support the practice’s regional and global knowledge base. In particular, you will have the following duties:
• Participate as a core team member working on poverty alleviation, equity, spatial, gender, labor markets, and micro-fiscal, including diagnostics of mobility, vulnerability, multi-dimensional poverty, and agency and voice.
• Contribute to devising technical and policy advice to country and sectoral teams on how to address poverty alleviation and equity and promotes evidence-based decision-making.
• Use and develop instruments and technologies to monitor poverty, equity, and gender trends.
• Analyze the distributional impact of fiscal, social, and other sector policies and investments.
• Support the development of statistical public goods and initiatives for data sharing and analysis.
Selection Criteria
We are looking for the following: 1. An experienced development micro-economist committed to reducing poverty and increasing shared prosperity and has professional experience using imaginative and innovative approaches and tools to meet that objective. 2. A professional with a demonstrated track record of sound analytical work, excellent judgment, and international development experience. And 3. a technically strong economist who can produce high-quality technical products and translate technical results into policy applications.
Minimum Education/Experience
Minimum Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Economics, Statistics, Math, Public Policy, or other related field, with a strong quantitative background and at least five years of relevant professional experience.
Other Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated strength in at least one of the three streams of work around which the poverty global practice’s country-level programs are structured. Experience in more than one of those work streams is desirable;
• Technical and Quantitative Skills as an Applied Development Microeconomist – Has experience in microeconomics and statistical modeling – designing, implementing, and analyzing household surveys, administrative data, big data, and performing complex econometric analysis;
• Superb interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams and to listen and integrate ideas from diverse sources, governments, NGOs, and donors while being respectful and sensitive to cultural, political, and gender issues;
• Ability to work with staff from all levels and to mentor, coach, and motivate more junior staff.
• Excellent English writing and speaking skills and high proficiency in public speaking (a must).
Desired experience includes acting as a practitioner in developing and/or transition countries and experience with poverty, labor, and/or gender-related operational programs (including capacity building).
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.
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