Lead Economist – Digital Development Effectiveness – GH  

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org

Digital Vice Presidency

The Digital Transformation Vertical Vice Presidency was established on July 1, 2024, and will guide World Bank Group efforts to establish the foundations of a digital economy, build and enhance digital and data infrastructure, ensure cybersecurity and data privacy for institutions, businesses, and citizens, and advance digital government services. Digital technologies, including AI and data, present a unique opportunity to accelerate development. The Digital Transformation Vertical will have the critical mission of delivering on this development promise. The Digital Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams will support client countries in building the foundational and cross-cutting elements of digital transformation through two engagement pillars, six business lines, and multiple cross-cutting areas:

• Digital Core: Building digital infrastructure through broadband network, affordable devices; Enhancing data infrastructure including data centers, cloud solutions and data governance; Enabling AI and cutting-edge technology applications; and Protecting institutions, businesses, and citizens through cybersecurity, data protection & privacy, trust services as well as online safety.
• Digital Use: Supporting the Regions and the Verticals of People, Prosperity, Planet, and Infrastructure in the digitalization efforts of clients through Digital Government (digital public infrastructure, digital government services, and digital literacy and training), Digital Economy (national ICT planning, ICT industry and jobs, and smart infra and industry) and Digital Society (digital school, digital health, etc.).
Both pillars will be the channels through which the Vertical will support World Bank achieving its objectives in cross-cutting areas like jobs and skills, climate and green, fragility, conflict and violence, and gender and inclusion.

Development Effectiveness Unit

The Development Effectiveness Unit will play an important role in advising the VP and DSO on all matters pertaining to strategic planning and management, program management including trust fund oversight, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, collaboration with Regions and Verticals, and outreach to external partners. The Unit will support VPU’s engagement on corporate priorities including Knowledge Compact, Operations Efficiency and Effectiveness, Corporate Scorecard and other initiatives aimed at achieving speed, scale and impact.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

As a Lead Economist, your responsibilities will include:
• In liaison with the Digital Transformation Vice-Presidency directors and the Infrastructure Chief Economist Office, facilitate the coordination for the conceptual design, planning, and realization of high-profile analytical products undertaken across the Vice-Presidency, including reports, research and policy papers and notes, and blogs among others.
• Identify strategic topics in the realm of digital transformation and design research methodologies to address policy relevant questions.
• Producing a variety of original products, including reports, papers, briefs, notes, funding proposals, PowerPoints, etc.
• Coordinating with other units within the World Bank Group (including inter alia DEC, other Vertical Vice-Presidencies, and IFC) in the area of research and policy design in digital economics.
• Coordinating with other institutions outside the World Bank (such as universities, research institutes, governmental agencies, multi-lateral agencies etc.) in the area of research and policy design in digital economics.
• Representing the Vice-Presidency in dissemination, research, and technical meetings, contributing to oral presentations and actively participating in technical meetings to discuss and identify suitable solutions and approaches on a wide range of issues in the digital space.
• Representing the Vice-Presidency in review and decision meetings, providing comments and discussing work of other units across the World Bank Group when requested.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in economics or related field, with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. PhD is highly preferred.
• A strong publication record in digital economics, in the form of completed co-authored research papers available as working papers, journal articles, book chapters, or other types of peer reviewed publications.
• Excellent command of cutting-edge thinking and research by academia, think tanks, as well as other international organization in the field of digital economics, related among others to impact studies, market structure, regulation, and policy interventions.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills in both academic and policy contexts.
• Understanding of digital development issues in the context of low and middle-income countries.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical subjects in an intuitively understandable way.
• Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills.
• Computer skills, proficiency with Stata, R, and knowledge of geospatial data, Python and geospatial analytical software. Experience with big data analytics is a plus.
• Ability to ability to lead teams and mentor junior staff.
• Ability to deliver results effectively under pressure and to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to and prioritize a variety of evolving tasks.
• Working proficiency in English is essential. Fluency in other languages is a plus.

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.

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How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at [email protected], and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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