Senior Economist - West and Central Africa at the World Bank Group

The World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group, is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Our mission is to fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results and to help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors.

In 2015, the World Bank Group launched a recruitment mission to attract Sub Saharan African professionals to its work force. The initiative was the first of its kind for the institution and resulted in numerous hires into business areas such as Education, Health, Development Economics, Information Technology Systems, Social Urban/Rural & Resilience and Governance. The World Bank Group continues its commitment to hiring Sub-Saharan African professionals and announces its latest recruitment mission to again attract highly qualified Sub-Saharan African professionals who are looking for an exciting career, where their effort will contribute to the institution's goal of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

Applications are invited for the position below:

Job Title: Senior Economist - West and Central Africa

Location: Africa
Area: Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management

Job Summary
The Macroeconomic & Fiscal Management Global Practice (MFM GP) is seeking a Senior Economist who will work with the Practice, based in a client country in West and Central Africa. The selected candidate will be an integral part of the country team and the global MFM GP, and will report to the MFM Practice Manager based in Washington DC. Key responsibilities include: (i) Leading key operational and analytical tasks; (ii) conducting detailed analysis of selected policy areas; (iii) carrying out policy dialogue with the Government as needed; and (iv) working closely with the Program Leader and rest of the MFM team to ensure timely and high quality delivery of MFM products.

Roles and Responsibility
Under the guidance of the Country Manager and Program Leader, the Senior Economist would:

• Lead or support as needed:
  • Policy reform dialogue with Government authorities and development partners
  • Preparation of Development Policy Operations and of Economic and Sector Work
  • IDA’s engagement with the country on its overall policy reform program.
• Represent the Bank in its relationship with the IMF on the macroeconomic framework for the country as well as in the preparation of joint World Bank-IMF debt sustainability analyses
• Advise the Government on formulation and implementation of poverty strategies in consultation with the Poverty Economist assigned by the Poverty Global Practice
• Lead within the country team relevant process tasks such as the annual Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) exercise, macroeconomic monitoring; and contribute to Systematic Country Diagnostic analysis and Country Strategies
• Participate in the dialogue with development partners on improved harmonization procedures to reduce transactions costs.

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 in Economics, with eight years of 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).
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, and leadership qualities, as well as effective teamwork skills.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and to present ideas clearly and concisely with senior policy officials.
• Strong integrative capacities; i.e., ability to situate IDA activities within a coherent strategic framework.6.  Excellent communication and presentation skills both verbal and written. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly on complex topics to a wide variety of audiences.
• 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.

Recruitment Timeline
End of July - September 2016 - Review applications and update application status to candidates
August - September 2016 - Contact all shortlisted candidates and conduct interviews in Washington, D.C. and locations in Africa

Application Closing Date
7th August, 2016.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Shortlisted candidates may be contacted as early as August 2016 for interviews which may be conducted in Washington, D.C. or locations in Africa. Interviews will be conducted through September 2016. Based on the availability of interviewers and candidates some interviews may be conducted virtually.
• Candidates who have previously submitted applications through the Recruitment Drive for African Nationals in 2015 must submit a new application to be considered for opportunities in this year's campaign. We apologize that we are unable to consider previously submitted applications.