Lead Economist
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Lead Economist
Job #:
req31749
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GH
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
2/24/2025 (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
THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR AFRICA (AFE and AFW): The Office of the Chief Economist in the Africa Region generates timely and relevant knowledge on policy and institutional reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. It produces research on the most pressing development issues facing the continent and fosters a community of economists working on development in Sub-Saharan Africa, within the World Bank and on the continent. Since July 1, 2020, the office supports the two Vice-Presidencies for Sub-Saharan Africa (AFE and AFW).
The Africa Gender Innovation Lab (GIL) is mapped to the Africa Region Chief Economist's Office, conducts impact evaluations of development interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to examine the gender gap between men and women when it comes to economic growth and empowerment. With the results of the impact evaluations, the GIL aims to support the design of innovative, scalable interventions to address gender inequality in productive economic sectors across Africa. The impact objective of GIL is to increase take-up of effective policies by governments, development organizations, and the private sector in order to address the underlying causes of gender inequality in Africa, and through that promote growth.
Regional and Sector Orientation: GIL's work is focused exclusively on Sub-Saharan Africa, where the team is currently working in 20+ countries with the aim of building an evidence base with lessons for the region. Africa GIL is focused on conducting rigorous research in order to generate evidence on how to close the gender gap in earnings, productivity, assets, and agency. GIL's work is grouped into several categories: agricultural productivity, private sector development, land and property rights, and youth employment, and social norms.
Impact Evaluations: GIL is currently working on over 50 impact evaluations, with additional work in the pipeline, and requires a core team of DC-based staff to coordinate Influencing Policies and Practices that Matter for Gender Equality: GIL engages in rigorous research by partnering with high-profile, large-scale, innovative and/or potentially influential projects and project partners on its impact evaluations. GIL then uses its results, which are disseminated in papers, presentations, policy briefs, blogs, and in other ways, in order to influence how development projects and policies are conceived and run. GIL aims to help direct funding to the most effective programs and policies, increase the availability of good data to inform programs and policies that target gender inequalities, and increase the use of evidence to inform program and policy decisions.
GIL's internal organization and staffing: Each impact evaluation is led by a coordinator and other GIL team economists and research assistants, often in collaboration with external researchers. GIL Economists split their time between Washington, DC and field sites. The project to be evaluated by each IE is implemented by external partners, and data collection is carried out by external firms who are generally monitored in the field by GIL-affiliated field coordinators. The GIL is led by a Lead Economist and advised by a steering committee.
Duties & Accountabilities
The Lead Economist will work under the supervision of the Chief Economist for the Africa Region, and will serve as the Head of the Africa Gender Innovation Lab. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the following areas of work:
- Lead and manage the Africa Gender Innovation Lab
- Define and execute the vision and strategic direction of Africa GIL
- Ensure delivery of Lab's results framework targets and manage the team's knowledge work
- Organize and lead the meetings of the Africa GIL steering committee
- Lead fundraising activities and secure additional funding to maintain long-term viability
- Manage and supervise Africa GIL team members to deliver stronger outcomes for our clients.
- Represent Africa GIL at World Bank and external partner events and meetings
- Build teams comprised of researchers, government and NGO collaborators, field staff, data analysts, and survey teams.
- Support the Africa Chief Economist and Africa RMT to ensure timely, high-quality responses to regional and corporate requests as needed
- Help advance the goals and priorities of the Office of the Chief Economist, Africa region.
Selection Criteria
The applicant should meet the following requirements:
* Graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in economics or closely related field.
* Substantial professional experience - typically the successful candidate will have at least 12-15 years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.
* In-depth knowledge of WBG financing operations as well as analytical and advisory services, and familiarity with WBG instruments.
* Strong track record of conducting and publishing research, leading innovative ASA which has impacted policy dialogues and reform paths.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to write clearly and succinctly and deliver presentations convincingly to a wide range of audiences.
* Demonstrated experience in facilitating dialogue with country partners and country teams, including listening skills, capacity development skills, and ability to adapt advice to the local institutional realities
* Proven experience in fund-raising, strategic relationship-building with external donors and partners
* Strong experience managing and mentoring colleagues
* Commitment to teamwork, knowledge-sharing, and ability to influence across organizational boundaries
* Strong sense of strategy, including ability to prioritize and exit some activities; track record in streamlining and rationalizing product offerings.
This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
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.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
Job #:
req31749
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GH
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
2/24/2025 (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
THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR AFRICA (AFE and AFW): The Office of the Chief Economist in the Africa Region generates timely and relevant knowledge on policy and institutional reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa. It produces research on the most pressing development issues facing the continent and fosters a community of economists working on development in Sub-Saharan Africa, within the World Bank and on the continent. Since July 1, 2020, the office supports the two Vice-Presidencies for Sub-Saharan Africa (AFE and AFW).
The Africa Gender Innovation Lab (GIL) is mapped to the Africa Region Chief Economist's Office, conducts impact evaluations of development interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to examine the gender gap between men and women when it comes to economic growth and empowerment. With the results of the impact evaluations, the GIL aims to support the design of innovative, scalable interventions to address gender inequality in productive economic sectors across Africa. The impact objective of GIL is to increase take-up of effective policies by governments, development organizations, and the private sector in order to address the underlying causes of gender inequality in Africa, and through that promote growth.
Regional and Sector Orientation: GIL's work is focused exclusively on Sub-Saharan Africa, where the team is currently working in 20+ countries with the aim of building an evidence base with lessons for the region. Africa GIL is focused on conducting rigorous research in order to generate evidence on how to close the gender gap in earnings, productivity, assets, and agency. GIL's work is grouped into several categories: agricultural productivity, private sector development, land and property rights, and youth employment, and social norms.
Impact Evaluations: GIL is currently working on over 50 impact evaluations, with additional work in the pipeline, and requires a core team of DC-based staff to coordinate Influencing Policies and Practices that Matter for Gender Equality: GIL engages in rigorous research by partnering with high-profile, large-scale, innovative and/or potentially influential projects and project partners on its impact evaluations. GIL then uses its results, which are disseminated in papers, presentations, policy briefs, blogs, and in other ways, in order to influence how development projects and policies are conceived and run. GIL aims to help direct funding to the most effective programs and policies, increase the availability of good data to inform programs and policies that target gender inequalities, and increase the use of evidence to inform program and policy decisions.
GIL's internal organization and staffing: Each impact evaluation is led by a coordinator and other GIL team economists and research assistants, often in collaboration with external researchers. GIL Economists split their time between Washington, DC and field sites. The project to be evaluated by each IE is implemented by external partners, and data collection is carried out by external firms who are generally monitored in the field by GIL-affiliated field coordinators. The GIL is led by a Lead Economist and advised by a steering committee.
Duties & Accountabilities
The Lead Economist will work under the supervision of the Chief Economist for the Africa Region, and will serve as the Head of the Africa Gender Innovation Lab. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the following areas of work:
- Lead and manage the Africa Gender Innovation Lab
- Define and execute the vision and strategic direction of Africa GIL
- Ensure delivery of Lab's results framework targets and manage the team's knowledge work
- Organize and lead the meetings of the Africa GIL steering committee
- Lead fundraising activities and secure additional funding to maintain long-term viability
- Manage and supervise Africa GIL team members to deliver stronger outcomes for our clients.
- Represent Africa GIL at World Bank and external partner events and meetings
- Build teams comprised of researchers, government and NGO collaborators, field staff, data analysts, and survey teams.
- Support the Africa Chief Economist and Africa RMT to ensure timely, high-quality responses to regional and corporate requests as needed
- Help advance the goals and priorities of the Office of the Chief Economist, Africa region.
Selection Criteria
The applicant should meet the following requirements:
* Graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in economics or closely related field.
* Substantial professional experience - typically the successful candidate will have at least 12-15 years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.
* In-depth knowledge of WBG financing operations as well as analytical and advisory services, and familiarity with WBG instruments.
* Strong track record of conducting and publishing research, leading innovative ASA which has impacted policy dialogues and reform paths.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to write clearly and succinctly and deliver presentations convincingly to a wide range of audiences.
* Demonstrated experience in facilitating dialogue with country partners and country teams, including listening skills, capacity development skills, and ability to adapt advice to the local institutional realities
* Proven experience in fund-raising, strategic relationship-building with external donors and partners
* Strong experience managing and mentoring colleagues
* Commitment to teamwork, knowledge-sharing, and ability to influence across organizational boundaries
* Strong sense of strategy, including ability to prioritize and exit some activities; track record in streamlining and rationalizing product offerings.
This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
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.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.