Senior Economics & Strategy Officer at World Bank Group

IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and 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 worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visitwww.ifc.org

IFC’s Vice Presidency for Economics & Private Sector Development is a hub for IFC thought leadership on private sector development, in collaboration with economists throughout the World Bank Group, and helps guide IFC operations towards development outcomes.

The Country Economics and Engagement Department (part of the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency), is hiring 8 Senior Economists to be based in the field, working closely with and supporting the IFC Regional Director. The Senior Economists will report to the Regional Strategy Manager in CCE and liaise with the Strategy team based in Washington DC. The positions will be based in Dakar, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Vienna. The Country Economics and Engagement Department has three principal functions: 1) Diagnostics and strategy: undertake country private sector diagnostics in collaboration with IFC Operations and partners in the World Bank Group, which will feed into IFC Country Strategies and inform the WBG Strategic Country Diagnostic (SCD) and the Country Partnership Framework (CPF); 2) Support to operations: Support regional operations by reviewing the economic, development and strategic impact of IFC operations, as well as contributing to the economic analysis of project documents, board papers, regional/country briefs, etc.; and 3) Analytics: Conduct in-depth analytics on specific themes relevant to private sector development at the country or regional level.

This position will be based in Vienna/ Dubai/ Nairobi/ New Delhi/ Dakar/ Colombia/ Johannesburg/ Hong Kong.

Responsibilities

Main duties of the Senior Economist include the following:

• Work closely with the Regional Director and provide the economic support to IFC’s activities as needed. A key skill for this role is to help “translate” the macroeconomic context/assessment into the regional/country operational strategy
• Act as a local focal point for the Regional Director, working closely with operational staff and liaising with the Regional Strategy Team and the Regional Strategy Manager in CCE to ensure adequate support to Operations on the economic front, at the project level and strategy level
• Lead the strategy work for major countries and several countries within a region, and work closely with country/industry managers, teams, and stakeholders in developing IFC country and/or industry strategies in the Region
• Contribute to preparation of briefs, reports and presentations to various stakeholders, including senior management and the Board, as well as external stakeholders
• Provide economic advice on investment and advisory projects, including due diligence. Draft relevant sections of Board papers for investment project approval (macro-economy and country context)

Other duties

• Co-Lead Country Private Sector Diagnostics and subsequent preparation of IFC Country Strategies
• Together with Regional management prepare IFC input to WBG Systematic Country Diagnostics, Country Partnership Frameworks, progress reports and other joint initiatives
• Advise IFC senior management on Board-related matters, based on established links and understanding of Board priorities and identify issues that are highly relevant to expressed interests and concerns of the Board
• Provide in-depth input to global and/or regional policy initiatives
• Undertake analytical work on strategic topics that inform country strategies

Selection Criteria

• A graduate degree in economics, public policy or other relevant graduate degree from a reputable university
• At least 8 years of experience demonstrating analytical skills in economics and private sector development work in a country/regional context
• Experience in and strong knowledge of the economic context and challenges of countries
• Familiarity with IFC’s or similar Development Finance Institutions’ areas of focus and relevant experience in country/regional context
• Knowledge of IFC operational and portfolio work and a good understanding of investment projects is desirable
• Excellent understanding of financial and economic concepts and data
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with high level stakeholders in English. Fluency in French/Spanish a strong plus