Senior Economist at World Bank Group

Job description

Background / General Description

THE ROLE OF THE GLOBAL PRACTICE FOR MACROECONOMICS, TRADE and INVESTMENT (MTI) IN THE WBG

On January 1, 2018, Economics, Finance and Institutions (EFI) Vice Presidency created the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (MTI) Global Practice. MTI is a joint IBRD and IFC team, comprised of some 450 staff, with almost half of MTI professional staff decentralized to the field working closely with the Country Management Units (CMUs) and in proximity to the clients. MTI houses the Bank’s country economists together with trade economists and specialists, debt and macro modeling experts, competition, business environment and investment policy experts who work together to support countries in their search for private sector led, inclusive growth. MTI offers integrated solutions to macroeconomic and private-sector focused structural reform programs. In doing so, MTI staff often serve integrative functions working closely with other GPs.

MTI staff work across a wide array of Bank instruments ranging from Development Policy Operations to IFC-funded advisory projects, combining the strength of Bank analysis and lending with longstanding IFC expertise in providing implementation support at the country level. MTI staff often lead or participate in the preparation of Strategic Country Diagnostics for both the public and private sectors, as well as other analytic tools such as Country Economic Memorandum and Country Private Sector Diagnostics. Knowledge and learning is a central part of MTI’s work focused on 9 thematic areas: (a) macroeconomics; (b) fiscal policy; (c) growth; (d) economic management in resource rich environments; (e) macroeconomic modelling & statistics; (f) trade and regional integration; (g) competition policy; (h) investment policy and promotion; and (i) business regulation.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

The Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice is looking for a seasoned Senior Economist (GG) (International hire) to work on Somalia, based in Nairobi, Kenya. The MTI team provides economic analysis on a range of macroeconomic, fiscal management, trade and investment issues; supports bank management with regular economic monitoring and macroeconomic modeling/forecasting; maintains local databases for economic and social statistics for use by Bank staff based in the countries and Washington D.C; and supports the country teams providing World Bank assistance to countries in the Country Management Unit. Additionally, the MTI team also works closely with the Country Managers on a range of macroeconomic issues through Analytical products (AAA), lending operations and client advisory work.

The successful candidate will be a core team member of the MTI East Africa team and will report to the Practice Manager (GMTA3). In the day to day work, s/he will contribute mostly to work on Somalia. MFM team but may also take part in various teams led by different Task Team Leaders as agreed in periodic work program discussions with the Country Management Unit.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

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 3 year term appointment.

Duties And Accountabilities

• Lead Somalia’s MTI work program including support to Somalia with respect to potential pre-arrears clearance grant, re-engagement with the international financial institutions, and HIPC debt relief.
• Lead or participate in the design, preparation and dissemination of lending, technical assistance, and analytical work, including the Somalia semi-annual economic updates, fiscal federalism, macroeconomic modelling/forecasting, and other input as needed
• Collaborate closely with the CMU and other Global Practices in analytical work, project preparation, and capacity building activities as well as coordination with other development partners
• Lead the IMF coordination on the ground on macroeconomic policy and structural issues (in the context of the SMP)
• Contribute to the drafting of presentations, memos, reports, notes, blogs, and analytical findings as per business needs.

Selection Criteria

Required Competencies

• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses Cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.
• Integrative Skills – Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.
• Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience - Able to translate technical analyses of macroeconomic, debt, trade, fiscal policy, and growth linkages into policy recommendations and cross-country lessons.
• Written and Verbal Communication - Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff and managers).
• Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions with others.
• Deliver Results for Clients - Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
• Make Smart Decisions - Recommends and takes decisive action.

Other Selection Criteria

• Minimum of a Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in economics with at least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience. Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in delivery of
• Bank operations, such as ESWs or Development Policy Lending (DPLs).
• Strong analytical skills in macroeconomic and fiscal management and proven ability to conduct policy-relevant research.
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, and leadership qualities, as well as effective teamwork skills.
• Integrative capacity including the ability to situate sectoral issues within a broader development framework.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and to present ideas clearly and concisely with senior policy officials.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiations skills and ability to work flexibly, creatively and to multitask as the need arises.
• A high degree of self-motivation, positive attitude and drive.
• Strong commitment towards team work and knowledge sharing, especially across the World Bank Group.