Description

Background/General 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 with more than 2,000 businesses 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 of more than $40 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. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Economics and Market Research Department (CER) is in the Economics and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency Unit (CED VPU). This new department is a strong hub for the analytical work in support of IFC’s investment and advisory activities and economics research on issues related to private sector development. The department consists of three units:

1.  The Private Sector Diagnostics unit is responsible for conducting sector analysis and delivering the newly upgraded and expanded Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSD), coordinating IFC inputs to the Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDR), and conducting bespoke sector analysis at the request of IFC Operations.
2.  The Economic Research unit is responsible for conducting rigorous economic research that results in a series of IFC flagship reports and academic articles, hosting economic research conferences and forums, and creating databases, surveys, and other data assets.
3.  The Macro and Market Risk unit is responsible for conducting country risk assessments, macro scenarios, analysis of market risks, tracking capital flows and capital market developments, creating equity market outlooks, and other macro analysis upon request.
IFC is recruiting a Manager to lead the new Private Sector Diagnostics Unit. This unit will include roughly ~20 staff and will work closely with regional colleagues at the IFC, MIGA, and the World Bank.  The Manager will be a dynamic and experienced professional with excellent technical and management skills, a proven track record of delivering country- and sector-level analytical work and reports, and experience in leading teams that cross institutional boundaries. The position is based in IFC headquarters in Washington, DC, and will report to the Director, CER.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the CER Director, the duties of the Manager include:

•  Oversee the development and delivery of the newly revised Country Private Sector Diagnostics, working in collaboration with IFC, MIGA, and World Bank colleagues.
–  Provide intellectual leadership on the country and sector diagnostics agenda and oversee the unit’s quality control function.
–  Develop methodologies underpinning CPSD 2.0 and ensuring consistency and cross-collaboration across CPSDs delivered in different regions;
– Coordinate the WBG CPSD program, including identification and development of CPSD pipeline, monitoring and communications of the program, and capturing and disseminating lessons learned;
–  Conceptualize and execute opportunities to continuously improve the quality and impact of CPSD reports and bring new ideas, insights, and data into the CPSD program.
–  Establish close feedback loops with IFC Regions and Industries, as well as MIGA and World Bank, to incorporate insights from across the WBG into IFC country and sector diagnostics and at the same time increase the relevance of these diagnostics for IFC Operations and the rest of WBG;

•  Oversee delivery of other private sector diagnostics work
– Provide quality control for country diagnostics across IFC and actively participate in WBG-wide quality assurance efforts in areas related to private sector development;
–  Coordinate IFC delivery of input into Country Climate Diagnostic Reports
–  Oversee delivery of bespoke analysis on sector diagnostics
–  Systematically capture lessons from country analytics in support of the broader IFC and WBG knowledge agenda.

•  Manage staff and resources. Duties in this area include:
–  Recruit and build a high-performing team of economists, data scientists, and research analysts.
–  Professionally manage the department and its staff to a modern standard and high level of performance, with special attention to diversity objectives.
– Drive and inspire technical excellence within the unit by creating an environment of learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
– Deliver the agreed upon work program through cost effective use of resources and ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs.

Selection Criteria

In addition to the WBG Managerial competencies, the successful candidate must possess:

•  PhD or Masters degree in Economics or related field; PhD preferred.
•  At least 10 years of experience at successively higher levels of responsibility, demonstrating excellent quantitative and analytical skills in economics and increasing levels of management responsibility.
•  Demonstrated substantive experience and publications related to country diagnostics and private sector development.
•  Excellent technical and analytic skills, including ability to conceptualize analyses, utilize new data sources, and lead team in delivery
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills and track record of delivering reports.
•  Excellent people management skills and ability to guide staff to excellent business outcomes. Demonstrated ability to effectively recruit, mentor and develop staff.
•  Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills, including ability to work in a matrix as an integral part of the department and in collaboration with IFC and WBG counterparts
•  High energy, drive, and ability to manage a large portfolio of activities efficiently, proven organizational management skills, strategic thinking, and sound business judgment.
•  Proven ability to lead high level discussions with senior management and external stakeholders to inform thinking on important policy, strategy, and operational issues.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4-year term appointment.

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.