E T Consultant – Economics

The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the premier research and data arm of the World Bank. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice President and World Bank Group Chief Economist, DEC sets the Bank’s research agenda and advises Bank Management on a wide range of development policy issues. DEC also advises policy makers on development challenges and helps to promote development issues within the broad development community.

The Development Data Group (DECDG) under the Development Economics Vice Presidency provides global public goods, including methods, standards, and tools for data work, as well as high-quality development indicators and datasets. DECDG also supports member countries engaged in building their statistical capacity, supports the use of development data within the World Bank, and manages several Trust Funds to support the global data agenda. The work of DECDG calls for an extensive partnership with the Word Bank’s Global Practices and country teams, other international organizations, and member countries’ statistical offices.

Responsibilities

DECDG is seeking to recruit one economist to support its work program on domestic debt statistics. The economist should possess an extensive knowledge and experience in domestic debt, Public Sector Debt, Government Finance Statistics, Balance of Payments, International Investment Position,

and External Debt. The economist will:

• Lead the work on the World Bank’s new project on government and public domestic debt data collection, including Domestic debt Manual and Compilation      Guide(the Manual)) and implementation and compilation (template design, testing, formal data collection process)phases.
• Lead the compilation of the domestic debt statistics for DRS eligible countries; ensure that data are collected, reviewed for quality, compiled per the Manual    and made available in a timely manner.
• Build methodologies to capture and gap fill missing information to improve the coverage and accuracy of debt statistics.
• Perform data quality control tasks and work on improving the metadata quality and timeliness of debt statistics.
• Work on the World Bank Debtor reporting system (DRS) external debt statistics compilation ,quarterly debt statistics collection, validation and publication.
• Participate in improving the dissemination and transparency of debt statistics in the International Debt Statistics databases.
• Liaise with internal partners including global practices, central units, and country teams to collectively improve debt data transparency and support Bank        policies.
• Support debt data users, respond to user queries, and provide explanations on data methodology, coverage, quality.
• Provide technical assistance and training to low- and middle-income countries on debt statistics.
• Mentor junior staff and consultants in the team.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s Degree in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics, or related field.
• Minimum of ten post-graduate relevant work experience, preferably with a country’s central bank or ministry of finance.
• Proven expertise in domestic debt methodology and compilation, demonstrated by at least ten years professional experience.
• Proven expertise in the compilation and analysis of Public Sector Debt, Government Finance Statistics, Balance of Payments, International Investment Position, External Debt.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and concepts underlying domestic debt statistics.
• Strong analytical skills, and ability to interpret and communicate statistical information in a clear and analytically rigorous manner.
• Experience in providing technical assistance on debt statistics to developing countries.
• Commitment to high quality work and conceptual and analytical problem-solving ability.
• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams, deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment, and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• Excellent time management skills, with an ability to deliver high quality products in a timely fashion to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• High proficiency in statistical and data management software, such as Stata, R, and SAS, and Microsoft Office.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27285&site=1