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 US$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) 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 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 team (CDIDF). The department also includes staff working on economic modeling, results measurement, corporate reporting and sustainability, that support all industry groups. In short, the department offers an “end-to-end” support and impact assessments for IFC investments and advisory services, engaging upstream and downstream throughout the project cycle.
The Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services team (CDIMA) is in charge of implementing CDI mandates and deliverables described above in relation to products including investment and advisory for all MAS industry verticals: Manufacturing, Agribusiness, TRP (tourism, retail and properties), and Health and Education. 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, helping to ensure high-quality economic support for IFC MAS teams on strategies and projects, and developing sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development. These activities will support operations done by MAS teams to deliver investments that support growing enterprises across emerging markets.
CDIMA is seeking to hire an Economist to lead development impact work across several sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing and services. The Economist will provide, on an ongoing basis, expert advice and operational support to operational teams and management to assess the impact of MAS investments development 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 economic analysis associated to the agribusiness, manufacturing and services sectors; development impact assessments of investment projects (supported by team members); board papers and management reports; economic input into Investment Review Meetings for agribusiness projects.
• Work closely with and support the CDI team across a number of tasks, including the day-to-day economic input into MAS investment and advisory projects and oversee tasks, timelines and staff and consultants; and perform other tasks as requested by CDI management.
• Design and lead rigorous analytical work analyzing trends and developments in the agribusiness sector 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 the sector.
• Support the articulation and measurement of the economic impacts of agribusiness, manufacturing and services industries, and of projects in these sectors undertaken by the IFC: by implementing AIMM, and working with IFC’s Investment Officers to collect and analyze project data, apply the appropriate frameworks on the basis of data and research, create narratives that support the articulation of project impacts, and rate projects.
• Monitor and assess the impact of global shocks on agribusiness, manufacturing, and services corporates in emerging markets, and advance the ongoing AIMM Sector Framework updates to fully account for these issues.
• Lead AIMM sector updates to reflect changing corporate priorities and new types of investments responding to emerging global challenges in existing sector frameworks.
• Lead and design of a new impact evaluation program for MAS with the objective to enhance the feedback loop in IFC MAS operations and influence project designs to strengthen development impact.
• Work closely with Advisory Services colleagues, especially as it relates to investment projects with Advisory Services engagements, to ensure complete reflection of associated impacts in AIMM assessments.
• Contribute to CPSDs, country strategies and sector knowledge.
• Prepare briefs, reports, and presentations to various stakeholders including senior management and the Board as well as external stakeholders.
Selection Criteria
• A post graduate degree in Economics or closely related field from a reputable university with solid training in quantitative and qualitative research methods. A Ph.D. in economics (with at least 5 years of relevant experience) would be a plus.
• At least 8 years of experience pertaining to economic analysis of MAS sectors (sector dynamics, emerging trends, development impacts) and MAS markets, demonstrating analytical and research skills, including track record of working on preparing economic papers and sector strategies in areas related to these sectors.
• Thorough understanding of one or more MAS sectors (agribusiness, manufacturing or services), the determinants of sector competitiveness and the impacts and implications of different economic policy frameworks.
• Experience on development impact measurement of private sector investment projects in DFIs is also required: this may include design of development impact assessment frameworks; understanding of private sector development in emerging markets; assessing the development impact of agribusiness projects in emerging markets. Knowledge of IFC and its processes is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with academic and business literature, databases and other sources of information, on agribusiness, and MAS markets, demonstrated through the preparation of reports and economic papers; ability to identify gaps in research, suggest and prepare research programs.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills and ability to write robust research papers. Proven capability to handle complex assignments (e.g. project related or analytical tasks with operational relevance) and produce analytical work to a high professional standard, with minimum supervision. Strong publication record is a plus.
• Proven project-management experience, including managing tasks and activities, designing research programs, allocating tasks to other team members, and managing resources. Ability to draft papers for governmental institutions or DFIs 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.
• Proven ability to work in teams and capability to work in multi-cultural environments.
• 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 with a demonstrated ability to build partnerships for success, through engaging in open discussion with key stakeholders to conceptualize and implement solutions.
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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