Development Economist
Washington DC, United States
JOB DETAIL
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 in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI) within the Economics and Private Sector Vice Presidency (CEDVP) analyzes economic sectors with a view to identifying opportunities and solutions for private sector development and works closely with IFC Operations. It provides technical support to operations related to structuring, appraising, and monitoring investment and advisory projects and is responsible for reporting on IFC’s impact. The department is in charge of implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework (Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring, AIMM), monitoring and evaluating impact of both investments and advisory projects, helping to ensure high-quality economic support for IFC investment teams on strategies and projects, and developing sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development. In short, the department offers “end-to-end” support and impact assessments for IFC investments and advisory services, engaging upstream and downstream throughout the project cycle.
CDI staff comprise mainly sector economists and results measurement specialists assigned to units organized along IFC industry groupings. These include units for Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services (CDIMA); Financial Institutions (CDIFI); Infrastructure (CDIIN); and Funds and Disruptive Technology (CDIDF). The department also includes staff working on economic modeling, results measurement, corporate reporting and sustainability, that support all industry groups (CDIIM). The CDIMA team is in charge of implementing CDI mandates and deliverables described above in relation to investment and advisory projects across Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services comprising health, education, tourism, retail and properties (collectively, MAS).
CDIMA is seeking to hire an economist to perform development impact work across MAS sectors with a focus on Services. The economist will provide, on an ongoing basis, operational support to assess the impact of MAS investments, while ensuring consistent application of standard impact measurement and monitoring frameworks, help generate relevant lessons learned and support staff incorporate such lessons into project design, and contribute to evaluative work beyond the project lifecycle. The staff will work in close collaboration with the Investment and Advisory/Upstream staff responsible for designing and structuring IFC’s MAS operations, under the supervision of the CDIMA Manager.
Duties and Accountabilities
• Undertake ex-ante development impact assessments of investment projects in MAS sectors with a focus on services, and generate economic input into investment approval reports. This includes implementing AIMM to analyze, rate and articulate project impacts.
• Contribute to shape continuous improvement of results by monitoring project impact ex-post, and providing feedback and lessons learnt to MAS operations teams.
• Support the ongoing AIMM sector updates to reflect changing corporate priorities and new types of investments responding to emerging global challenges in existing sector frameworks.
• Monitor global trends affecting MAS corporates with a focus on firms operating in services sectors in emerging markets, and advance the ongoing refinement of impact measurement methodologies to fully account for these issues.
• Support ongoing analytical work analyzing trends and developments in MAS sectors on the global and country level and producing reports with a focus on challenges, priorities, and opportunities for market creation and private sector development in these sectors.
• Contribute to ongoing impact evaluations with the objective to enhance the feedback loop in IFC’s MAS operations and influence project designs to strengthen development impact.
• Prepare briefs, reports, and presentations to IFC senior management and the Board as well as external stakeholders.
• Perform other tasks as requested by CDI management.
Selection Criteria
• A post graduate degree in Economics or closely related field with solid training in quantitative and qualitative research methods. A Ph.D. in economics with at least 2 years of relevant experience would be a plus.
• At least 6 years of experience pertaining to economic analysis of MAS sectors (sector dynamics, emerging trends, development impacts), demonstrating analytical and research skills, including track record of working on preparing economic papers and sector strategies in areas related to one or more of these sectors.
• Strong understanding of one or more MAS sectors, the determinants of sector competitiveness and the impacts and implications of different economic policy frameworks. Experience in services sectors is a plus.
• Experience in development impact measurement of private sector investment projects in DFIs. This includes design of development impact assessment frameworks, understanding of private sector development in emerging markets, and assessing the development impact of private sector investments. Knowledge of IFC and its processes is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with academic and business literature, databases and other sources of information on one or more CDIMA sectors (with a focus on services sectors), demonstrated through the preparation of reports and economic papers, and an ability to identify research gaps and prepare research programs.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills and ability to write robust research papers. Proven capability to produce analytical work to a high professional standard, with minimum supervision. Publication record is a plus.
• Ability to innovate, develop innovative solutions with others, and to deliver results for clients by proactively addressing clients stated and unstated needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in teams, communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with key stakeholders to conceptualize and implement solutions.
• Proven ability to work in multi-cultural environments.
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.
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