(Senior) Economist

Contract

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(Senior) Economist

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 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Economic Policy Research (CER) is a new Department in the Economics and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency Unit (CED VPU). This department will be 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. Specifically, this will include overseeing country private sector diagnostics and sector deep dives, in collaboration with IFC operations and the World Bank; working with IFC’s Global Upstream to identify the most impactful business opportunities; creating a series of flagship IFC reports to raise IFC’s profile as a thought leader in economics research related to private sector development; organizing a series of conferences and economist speaker series with external academics and experts; and providing analytic input to guide IFC’s strategy.

The Department is seeking to recruit a Senior Economist to make major contributions to core thematic research, develop new analytical articles and reports, and work closely with other Senior Economists, Economists, and Research Analysts in the Department under the general supervision of one or more Principal Economists. The Senior/ Economist will be a motivated and dynamic professional, with exceptional analytical skills and policy-relevant experience, expertise in private sector development and applied research, a track record of publications, and team spirit, working in collaboration with colleagues in other Departments in the CED VPU, in IFC Operations, and at the World Bank. The position is based at IFC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and will report to the Director, CER.

Duties and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the position will include: • Actively contribute to the development and dissemination of new analytical frameworks, approaches and databases in one or more priority thematic areas of productivity and competition, technology adoption and the digital economy, climate and sustainability, trade and value chains, financial services, inclusion, and capital mobilization, and job creation and skills. • Translate the frameworks, approaches, and data into flagship economic research reports, articles, academic publications, blogs, and presentations while ensuring that the outputs are relevant to IFC operations, investors, and policymakers, and contribute to the global dialogue among business and government leaders and other thought leaders. • Draw on findings from economic research to inform IFC strategy, Investment and Advisory operations, Upstream engagements, and WBG policy work. Establish a feedback loop between outreach and dissemination and research to foster innovation and ensure continuous improvement in the relevance and impact of IFC research. • Develop new global engagements and interface with experts at the IFC and the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other International Financial Institutions, leading academics, and external partners on one or more thematic areas above. • Work closely with the Department’s PhD economists, data scientists, and other researchers to ensure quality, consistency, and conformity to the highest levels of rigor. • In partnership with Operations Management, ensure that lessons learnt from IFC’s operations as well as IFC’s knowledge and experience of private sector development policy and economics are captured, curated and disseminated across IFC Operations and in the WBG. • Contribute to a culture of technical excellence within the Department 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.

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 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Economic Policy Research (CER) is a new Department in the Economics and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency Unit (CED VPU). This department will be 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. Specifically, this will include overseeing country private sector diagnostics and sector deep dives, in collaboration with IFC operations and the World Bank; working with IFC’s Global Upstream to identify the most impactful business opportunities; creating a series of flagship IFC reports to raise IFC’s profile as a thought leader in economics research related to private sector development; organizing a series of conferences and economist speaker series with external academics and experts; and providing analytic input to guide IFC’s strategy.

The Department is seeking to recruit a Senior Economist to make major contributions to core thematic research, develop new analytical articles and reports, and work closely with other Senior Economists, Economists, and Research Analysts in the Department under the general supervision of one or more Principal Economists. The Senior/ Economist will be a motivated and dynamic professional, with exceptional analytical skills and policy-relevant experience, expertise in private sector development and applied research, a track record of publications, and team spirit, working in collaboration with colleagues in other Departments in the CED VPU, in IFC Operations, and at the World Bank. The position is based at IFC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and will report to the Director, CER.

Duties and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the position will include: • Actively contribute to the development and dissemination of new analytical frameworks, approaches and databases in one or more priority thematic areas of productivity and competition, technology adoption and the digital economy, climate and sustainability, trade and value chains, financial services, inclusion, and capital mobilization, and job creation and skills. • Translate the frameworks, approaches, and data into flagship economic research reports, articles, academic publications, blogs, and presentations while ensuring that the outputs are relevant to IFC operations, investors, and policymakers, and contribute to the global dialogue among business and government leaders and other thought leaders. • Draw on findings from economic research to inform IFC strategy, Investment and Advisory operations, Upstream engagements, and WBG policy work. Establish a feedback loop between outreach and dissemination and research to foster innovation and ensure continuous improvement in the relevance and impact of IFC research. • Develop new global engagements and interface with experts at the IFC and the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other International Financial Institutions, leading academics, and external partners on one or more thematic areas above. • Work closely with the Department’s PhD economists, data scientists, and other researchers to ensure quality, consistency, and conformity to the highest levels of rigor. • In partnership with Operations Management, ensure that lessons learnt from IFC’s operations as well as IFC’s knowledge and experience of private sector development policy and economics are captured, curated and disseminated across IFC Operations and in the WBG. • Contribute to a culture of technical excellence within the Department 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

• PhD in Economics and 8+ years of relevant experience as an economics research practitioner, or a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience if the candidate holds only a master’s degree. • Commitment to the WBG and IFC’s mission and values. • In-depth knowledge of one or more policy areas of productivity and competition, the digital economy, climate and sustainability, trade and value chains, financial services and inclusion, and job creation and skills and capacity to influence policy discussions in these topics. • Knowledge of related areas (e.g., innovation, spatial and agglomeration policies, gender, affordable housing, resilient health systems, disruptive technologies, and agribusiness and food security) is a plus. • Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including econometric approaches, economic modeling, survey design and implementation, as well as design, implementation, and evaluation (such as RCTs) of policies and programs to promote private sector development. • Demonstrated track record of publishing high-impact economic reports and articles for external audiences in topics related to private sector development and IFC’s thematic areas of focus. • Ability to analyze complex policy problems and develop new and innovative approaches. • Ability to integrate subject matter knowledge within broader frameworks and approaches. • Effective and persuasive oral and written communication skills. Ability to cultivate an active network of relationships inside and outside the organization and to represent IFC publicly as needed. • Ability to lead and mentor junior staff. • Demonstrated ability to operate in a collaborative manner in a matrixed, highly complex and global organization. • Computer skills: Strong STATA skills (other packages such as R, Python, are a plus), and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)

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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