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Description
The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The Global Practice for Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (MTI)
The MTI Global Practice leads the World Bank Group’s dialogue and engagement with clients in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, trade, and investment. MTI links the macroeconomic dialogue with programs focused on expanding the role of the private sector in economic development. In our day-to-day engagement with countries, we support Ministries of Finance, Trade, Economy, and Production as well as Central Banks in their pursuit of reform agendas conducive to strengthening inclusive growth led by the private sector. Further information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/mti-gp
MTI in Eastern and Southern Africa
The MTI unit for Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa (EAEM2) is looking for a Country Economist to be based in Washington, D.C. The selected candidate will contribute substantially to lending operations and analytical work. She or he will report to the MTI Practice Manager covering the EAEM2 unit, which comprises 14 countries over three Country Management Units: AECS1 (South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia), AECS2 (Mozambique, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles), and AECE3 (Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan). The unit has recently seen a significant increase in work program following the onset of COVID-19 pandemic including through Development Policy Operations (DPOs) in countries that had previously not been borrowing. The unit has a strong focus on promoting inclusive growth, structural reforms, and prudent macro-fiscal policies.
As a Country Economist for EAEM2, you will contribute to the policy dialogue on development, with a focus on economic growth and macro-fiscal issues in selected countries. You will have the opportunity to engage in policy dialogue, conduct analytical work, and contribute to lending operations, working closely with the Country Management Units and other members of the country team.
Responsibilities and Duties include:
• Lead macroeconomic monitoring tasks, including preparation of macroeconomic projections and regular economic updates;
• Coordinate the policy dialogue on macroeconomic and fiscal policy and growth issues with government counterparts, the IMF, development partners, and country stakeholders;
• Contribute to MTI core deliverables including Development Policy Operations (DPOs) and other lending operations, core advisory services and analytics (ASAs), namely Country Economic Memorandums (CEMs), Public Expenditure Reviews (PERs), Economic Updates, Regional Flagships, and policy notes on a wide range of issues such as fiscal policy, domestic revenue mobilization, natural resources revenue management, productivity, public spending quality, and economic transformation for jobs.
• Provide analytical inputs to advise the Country Management Unit (CMU) on country strategic engagement and economic policy issues, including through active participation in key review meetings;
• Contribute to developing state-of-the-art approaches in applied economic analysis relevant to operations and analytical work.
• Supports the Practice Manager and the Global Practice by providing inputs as needed to corporate briefs, presentations, policy notes for due diligence on macroeconomic issues.
Selection Criteria
• At least Masters degree in Economics and 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong technical skills on macroeconomic, fiscal policy, and/or growth issues. Mastery of modern macroeconomic modeling techniques is a plus.
• Proven track record in delivering high-quality and technically sophisticated analytical work, with a particular focus on macroeconomics, fiscal policy, and/or growth.
• Integrative skills are needed in order to support bank management in articulating its strategic thinking on macroeconomic issues, economic growth, and poverty reduction and designing coherent policy options for country authorities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including the ability to present complex analyses to non-specialist audiences.
• Strong client-orientation and diplomatic skills combined with candor and courage of opinion.
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, and teamwork qualities, and ability to work effectively across sectors/GPs.
• Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet deadlines.
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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