Senior Economist
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Senior Economist
Job #:
req32284
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
5 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
3/27/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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
Development Economics Vice Presidency
The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the World Bank's central reservoir of fresh insights into the most pressing challenges of development. It is led by the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group, who advises the President and senior managers, serves as the community leader for the WBG's economists, and helps to keep the institution in the forefront of thinking about development policy. DEC constitutes one of the world's largest teams of economists focused on policy solutions for developing economies. It has six departments: data, indicators, impact evaluation, development research, economic prospects, and development policy.
Development Impact
A department of the Development Economics Vice Presidency, Development Impact (DECDI)'s purpose is to increase the use of impact evaluation (IE) in the design and implementation of public policy and to develop institutional capacity and motivation for evidence-based policy. DECDI's work focuses on:
Evaluating programs at scale to answer policy-relevant questions.
Developing innovative data systems and data analytics tools for real-time decisions.
Using causal inference analysis to identify mechanisms to improve results.
Building capacity to strengthen country institutions for evidence-based policymaking.
DECDI aims to overcome the challenge of identifying true cause-and-effect relations in policy programs. By linking researchers to policymakers and feeding results back into policies, DECDI fosters systematic use of evidence, which informs adoption, mid-course corrections, and scale-up of policies. Through workshops and clinics with operational staff and government clients, joint research teams, active field coordination, as well as research products such as seminars, papers, and policy briefs, DECDI builds capacity while forming a wider community of practice.
DECDI accompanies impact evaluations during their entire life cycle. It starts with assessing demand, identifying research questions, as well as supporting project implementation, high-quality data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results.
With a portfolio of more than 220 impact evaluations, DECDI operates across all sectors in about 60 countries spanning the globe. The IEs test a variety of interventions and mechanisms to
understand why policy succeeds or fails and how to improve policy design and implementation to obtain better results. By working proactively in collaboration with clients, DECDI employs experimental methods to infer causality whenever possible (79% of the portfolio). 17% of DECDI IEs utilize non-experimental methods, while 4% use a combination of the two.
DECDI is structured into 5 World Bank units:
DIME 1 "Economic Growth and Structural Transformation"
DIME 2 "Gender, Economic Opportunity, and Fragility"
DIME 3 "Governance and Institution Building"
DIME 4 "Infrastructure and Climate Change"
DIME 5 "Mind, Behavior, and Development (eMBeD)"
More information can be found at https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/unit-dec/impactevaluation
DIME4 is looking for a Senior Economist with excellent technical and managerial skills, together with a strong publication record to lead DIME4 - the Infrastructure and Climate Change unit within the department.
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 5-year term appointment.
Responsibilities
The Senior Economist will report to the Director of DECDI and will have supervision responsibilities for the staff and work program of DIME's Infrastructure and Digital
Unit (DIME4).
In this supervision role, the Senior Economist will be accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling the behaviors, and maintaining the technical competencies listed below in their capacity as members of the DIME Management Team. Accountability means being answerable for balancing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives and compliance with Bank policies and procedures.
Lead thematic research teams covering infrastructure and digital programs in DIME. DIME research teams are expected to work closely with Bank clients and operations to put evidence at the center of policymaking, informing design, scale-up and scale-down decisions along the development path of each policy engagement. In addition, research teams are expected to leverage these research engagements for the public good, generating peer-reviewed academic publications in top field and general interest journal, and providing relevant policy advice and technical expertise to colleagues throughout the World Bank and beyond.
Exhibit potential to be a leader in their field of work and be recognized inside and outside the World Bank for their expertise. The person in this position is expected to demonstrate leadership potential to manage teams through the generation of policy-relevant scholarly research working in close collaboration with policymakers to affect decisions and produce a strong publication record in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Regularly contribute to major Bank initiatives, the Senior Economist will be recognized for their outreach, peer review services, training and overall leadership in World Bank activities related to their research programs.
PhD in economics or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in positions of increasing responsibilities..
A strong peer-reviewed academic publication record and currently active as a researcher.
A record of providing relevant policy advice and technical expertise to colleagues throughout the World Bank, particularly within the Infrastructure and Digital Verticals, as well as to policymakers in client countries.
Ability to work across and build coherent research programs around multiple sectors and strong history of close collaboration with operational teams, to inform effective policies and Bank projects bringing to bear novel ways of collecting and analyzing data combined with strong theoretical grounding.
A very high level of proficiency in econometric and other quantitative methods, with evidence of ability to innovate in this area.
Selection Criteria
Proven ability in fundraising and linking research to policy at the global level on issues related to the relevant topic areas, managing trust funds and projects within the Bank will be considered an asset.
Strong leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to provide mentorship and guidance, and to lead diverse teams to deliver high-quality and impactful products and services.
Demonstrated effectiveness in promoting cooperation and fostering coordination with a wide range of clients and internal and external partners.
Excellent people skills and proven ability to work in a collaborative environment with team members and other colleagues across organizational boundaries, with strong commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and staff development.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to write and speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely, with exposure to the media, external constituencies and expert groups.
Familiarity with donor engagement.
Broad knowledge of Bank's products, services, and processes; familiarity with DIME products and processes preferred.
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.
This internal requisition is open to WBG andIMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case anexternal candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
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.
Job #:
req32284
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
5 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
3/27/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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
Development Economics Vice Presidency
The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the World Bank's central reservoir of fresh insights into the most pressing challenges of development. It is led by the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group, who advises the President and senior managers, serves as the community leader for the WBG's economists, and helps to keep the institution in the forefront of thinking about development policy. DEC constitutes one of the world's largest teams of economists focused on policy solutions for developing economies. It has six departments: data, indicators, impact evaluation, development research, economic prospects, and development policy.
Development Impact
A department of the Development Economics Vice Presidency, Development Impact (DECDI)'s purpose is to increase the use of impact evaluation (IE) in the design and implementation of public policy and to develop institutional capacity and motivation for evidence-based policy. DECDI's work focuses on:
Evaluating programs at scale to answer policy-relevant questions.
Developing innovative data systems and data analytics tools for real-time decisions.
Using causal inference analysis to identify mechanisms to improve results.
Building capacity to strengthen country institutions for evidence-based policymaking.
DECDI aims to overcome the challenge of identifying true cause-and-effect relations in policy programs. By linking researchers to policymakers and feeding results back into policies, DECDI fosters systematic use of evidence, which informs adoption, mid-course corrections, and scale-up of policies. Through workshops and clinics with operational staff and government clients, joint research teams, active field coordination, as well as research products such as seminars, papers, and policy briefs, DECDI builds capacity while forming a wider community of practice.
DECDI accompanies impact evaluations during their entire life cycle. It starts with assessing demand, identifying research questions, as well as supporting project implementation, high-quality data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results.
With a portfolio of more than 220 impact evaluations, DECDI operates across all sectors in about 60 countries spanning the globe. The IEs test a variety of interventions and mechanisms to
understand why policy succeeds or fails and how to improve policy design and implementation to obtain better results. By working proactively in collaboration with clients, DECDI employs experimental methods to infer causality whenever possible (79% of the portfolio). 17% of DECDI IEs utilize non-experimental methods, while 4% use a combination of the two.
DECDI is structured into 5 World Bank units:
DIME 1 "Economic Growth and Structural Transformation"
DIME 2 "Gender, Economic Opportunity, and Fragility"
DIME 3 "Governance and Institution Building"
DIME 4 "Infrastructure and Climate Change"
DIME 5 "Mind, Behavior, and Development (eMBeD)"
More information can be found at https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/unit-dec/impactevaluation
DIME4 is looking for a Senior Economist with excellent technical and managerial skills, together with a strong publication record to lead DIME4 - the Infrastructure and Climate Change unit within the department.
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 5-year term appointment.
Responsibilities
The Senior Economist will report to the Director of DECDI and will have supervision responsibilities for the staff and work program of DIME's Infrastructure and Digital
Unit (DIME4).
In this supervision role, the Senior Economist will be accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling the behaviors, and maintaining the technical competencies listed below in their capacity as members of the DIME Management Team. Accountability means being answerable for balancing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives and compliance with Bank policies and procedures.
Lead thematic research teams covering infrastructure and digital programs in DIME. DIME research teams are expected to work closely with Bank clients and operations to put evidence at the center of policymaking, informing design, scale-up and scale-down decisions along the development path of each policy engagement. In addition, research teams are expected to leverage these research engagements for the public good, generating peer-reviewed academic publications in top field and general interest journal, and providing relevant policy advice and technical expertise to colleagues throughout the World Bank and beyond.
Exhibit potential to be a leader in their field of work and be recognized inside and outside the World Bank for their expertise. The person in this position is expected to demonstrate leadership potential to manage teams through the generation of policy-relevant scholarly research working in close collaboration with policymakers to affect decisions and produce a strong publication record in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Regularly contribute to major Bank initiatives, the Senior Economist will be recognized for their outreach, peer review services, training and overall leadership in World Bank activities related to their research programs.
PhD in economics or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in positions of increasing responsibilities..
A strong peer-reviewed academic publication record and currently active as a researcher.
A record of providing relevant policy advice and technical expertise to colleagues throughout the World Bank, particularly within the Infrastructure and Digital Verticals, as well as to policymakers in client countries.
Ability to work across and build coherent research programs around multiple sectors and strong history of close collaboration with operational teams, to inform effective policies and Bank projects bringing to bear novel ways of collecting and analyzing data combined with strong theoretical grounding.
A very high level of proficiency in econometric and other quantitative methods, with evidence of ability to innovate in this area.
Selection Criteria
Proven ability in fundraising and linking research to policy at the global level on issues related to the relevant topic areas, managing trust funds and projects within the Bank will be considered an asset.
Strong leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to provide mentorship and guidance, and to lead diverse teams to deliver high-quality and impactful products and services.
Demonstrated effectiveness in promoting cooperation and fostering coordination with a wide range of clients and internal and external partners.
Excellent people skills and proven ability to work in a collaborative environment with team members and other colleagues across organizational boundaries, with strong commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and staff development.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to write and speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely, with exposure to the media, external constituencies and expert groups.
Familiarity with donor engagement.
Broad knowledge of Bank's products, services, and processes; familiarity with DIME products and processes preferred.
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.
This internal requisition is open to WBG andIMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case anexternal candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
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.