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

REGIONAL CONTEXT

The EU CMU oversees the operational engagement of the Bank in all EU member states. The Bank’s work program is most active in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania with engagements in several other EU countries. MTI’s work program is diverse and includes macroeconomic, fiscal and structural reform dialogue based on CEMs, PFRs, spending reviews, policy notes, lending, and reimbursable advisory services (RAS). There is an increasing emphasis on the latter in form of the RAS- and TF-funded work. The regional economic work has been largely driven by the EU regular economic report and economic monitoring, but the engagement is likely to increase and focus on working with the CMU on identifying and participating in relevant EU conversations on policy reforms and institutional capacity building in the areas in which the Bank has comparative advantage.

MTI ECA-West is seeking an outstanding and dynamic Lead Economist with proven and strong macroeconomic, integrative and people management skills. The selected candidate will lead teams on core integrative MTI tasks in one or more EU countries. The Lead Economist will also work to develop new engagements for the Practice, notably RAS and other TF-funded work. The Lead Economist will also have regional responsibilities related to helping brand the World Bank in the EU. The Lead Economist will be able to manage multiple demands and tasks while communicating effectively within the Bank and with clients and demonstrating integrative skills across practices and throughout the World Bank Group.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Leads the macroeconomic and structural reform agenda in select EU countries;
• Oversees the analytical design, preparation and/or production of a range of integrative economic policy papers, policy notes and reports;
• Leads and/or advises on Development Policy Financing or other types of lending operations focused on
economic reforms;
• Leads the design and delivery of analytical products, advice and interventions with focus on fiscal policy, including tax policy, public expenditure analysis and public financial management at the national and/or subnational level;
• Leads the coordination on macroeconomic monitoring across the EU countries;
• Supports the analytical work program of the CMU(s) including inputs to country engagement products and other key strategic pieces;
• Works closely with other GPs (within EFI as well as SD, INFRA and HD) on the preparation of key strategic pieces and/or engagements;
• Actively develops new business that contributes to the development agenda of the EU countries;
• Supports the Practice Manager and the Global Practice with corporate demands, intermediate quality control of deliverables, and acting assignments as needed;
• Facilitates and organizes intra-and inter-economic/sector teams, international experts
to debate and exchange ideas on key issues relevant to the EU and/or ECA;
• Leads and/or participates in ground-breaking or precedent setting economic missions and plays key role in developing innovative practical approaches to difficult economic policy and operations issues at regional, country or sector levels;
• Serves as focal point or spokesperson on economic issues to clients and other external constituencies and expert economic groups;
• Plays significant role in guiding/mentoring junior staff in the unit;
• Is involved in developing state-of-the-art approaches in applied economic analysis and in pioneering their implementation in operations and analytical work.

Selection Criteria

• Ph.D. degree in economics with at least twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of Master’s degree in economics and experience, including a track record of delivery of high quality analytical and advisory products.
• Strong analytical skills and proven ability to conduct policy-relevant research and provide advice on macroeconomic management, with particular focus on fiscal policy (including tax policy, public expenditure, and public financial management) at the national and subnational level.
• 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 would be a plus.

Required 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 the 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 Practice Group, and proven fungibility.
• Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience – Has strong record of task leadership of complex policy-based lending operations, major economic reports or other published work relating to macro-economic, fiscal, growth, structural policy and poverty issues.
• Written and Verbal Communication – Demonstrates a strong command of all forms of communication and delivers messages in a consistently effective, timely and engaging manner.
• Lead and Innovate – Inspires and influences others to drive innovation.
• Deliver Results for Clients – Acts as a trusted, strategic advisor, partnering with clients to deliver results.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Leads collaboration across WBG and with partners drawing on robust professional networks.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – Establishes an environment where knowledge is created, applied and shared.
• Make Smart Decisions – Makes timely decisions that have a broad impact.

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.