E T Consultant – Research & Quantitative Analysis
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.
IFC’s Vice Presidency for Economics & Private Sector Development provides thought leadership on private sector development, in collaboration with economists throughout the World Bank Group, and helps guide IFC operations towards development outcomes. The Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI), part of the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency, analyzes economic sectors with a view to identifying opportunities and solutions for private sector development, and works closely with IFC Operations in formulating sector priorities and strategies. It is expected to provide 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 fully developing and implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework (Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring- AIMM) for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, help ensure high-quality economic support for IFC operations teams on strategies and projects; and develop sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development.
CDI is comprised of mainly sector economists and results measurement specialists assigned currently to fully integrated units organized along IFC industry groupings. These include: CDI unit for Financial Institutions Group (CDIFI); CDI unit for Infrastructure and Natural Resources (CDIIN); and CDI unit for Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services (CDIMA); and CDI unit for Funds and Disruptive Technology team (CDIDF). For each unit, the sector economists are embedded in the respective industry groups to ensure they play a connective tissue role. Still, they are an integral part of CDI and report to CDI managers. The department also includes two additional teams in charge of economic modeling (CDIIM) composed of research economists and the CDI unit for Results Measurement and Corporate Reporting (CDICR) that support all industry groups. In short, the department offers an “endto-end” support and impact assessments for IFC investments and advisory services, engaging upstream and downstream throughout the project cycle. The Financial Institution Group team (CDIFI) is in charge of implementing CDI mandates and deliverables described above in relation to products including investment and advisory support for microfinance, insurance, loans to small and medium enterprises and women-owned businesses, and low- and medium-income mortgages. This includes fully developing and implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, monitoring and evaluating impact of both investments and advisory projects, help ensure high-quality economic support for IFC FIG teams on strategies and projects, and develop sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development. These activities will support operations done by FIG teams to deliver investments that support growing enterprises across emerging markets.
Financial sector operations comprise a significant portion (40%) of IFC’s investment operations and make important contributions to financial sector development in client countries. These operations span commercial banking, including specialized product areas such as SME banking; insurance, microfinance, housing finance, trade finance, distressed assets, and capital markets development.
The Department is looking for an Extended-Term Consultant to support the implementation of the Measurement, Research and Evaluation agenda for MSME Finance. IFC supports banks in emerging market and developing economies with investment and advisory services to help expand their lending to MSMEs, and this program is intended to expand the base of evidence that IFC currently has on the effectiveness of its current investments and the impact of its programs on end-beneficiaries.
Broadly, the research questions include (but not limited to):
• What is the scale and composition of IFC’s MSME clients’ portfolios?
• Are IFC loans, risk-sharing and incentives leading IFC client financial institutions to effectively expand their MSME portfolio?
• What is the impact of IFC clients’ loan portfolio growth on MSME-level outcomes?
• What are the catalytic effects of IFC’s interventions on the broader market?
Role & Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the development of research plans, coordination and supervision of other consultants and firms implementing fieldwork, the monitoring and oversight of all data collection and field activities. The ETC will be responsible for coordinating overall research project milestones, timelines and deliverables for the research project; and make sure that data is compiled in a timely way and with the appropriate quality checks in place.
The research will be applying quantitative and qualitative methods, looking to generate learnings based on the key research questions. Where possible, experimental or quasi-experimental features will be embedded in the research design to strengthen the evaluation design and produce concrete learnings on product design.
The ETC’s work will include development of Terms of Reference for survey firms and survey instruments, as well as coordinating the recruitment of survey firms and other consultants for the implementation of the research and supervising the delivery of final products of existing contracts.
In addition, the consultant will lead day-to-day project management, quality oversight, and analysis for ongoing field research once the projects get to the implementation phase. This includes establishing strong working relationships with local survey firms and consultants, overseeing data collection and the implementation of appropriate quality control measures, maintain regular contact with the research firms (and where appropriate the clients) to ensure the smooth implementation of data collection, and lead analysis and dissemination efforts.
The ETC will support the analysis and drafting of reports summarizing key insights from the research projects working in close collaboration with the CDIFI Research Team. The ETC will also organize roundtable/workshops to facilitate knowledge transfer with external / internal partners as needed, and effectively and creatively present data for report, presentations, and research notes.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree (completed) in economics, finance, public policy or equivalent professional qualification.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience demonstrating analytical skills in results measurement and economic analysis with a focus on the financial sector. Knowledge of impact evaluation methods required.
• Prior work experience in management of field research in financial services in developing country contexts is necessary. Experience working on impact evaluation projects is a plus.
• Proficiency in results measurement and evaluation methods, including experience in survey design and implementation, and experimental and non-experimental evaluation designs.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to use statistical methods, including experience and proficiency in statistical programs (Stata or R), and ability to interpret results and identify discrepancies in data. Knowledge of Tableau or other visualization software a plus.
• Subject matter expertise: previous experience in evaluating the economic and development impact of projects in areas such as Micro and SME finance. Knowledge of financial services sector and familiarity with Financial Institution data and Management Information Systems (MIS) preferred.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of economic theory – macro and micro-economic concepts and principles – and knows how it applies to emerging markets.
• Strong team player, with excellent organization and project management skills, and proven ability to take work collaboratively in a team environment. Experience working in a multi-member research project strongly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills. Experience writing research papers strongly preferred. Experience with high level presentation to large groups (e.g. conferences) strongly preferred.
• Proven capability to handle complex assignments and produce work to a high professional standard.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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