Principal Economist Economics and Market Research

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets and developing economies. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, mobilization capacity, expertise, and influence to create jobs and raise living standards, especially for the poor and vulnerable. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to improve people’s lives as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises.

The Department is seeking to recruit a Principal Economist focused on one or more of the following areas: trade and supply chains, agriculture and food markets, financial markets and vulnerabilities, and competitiveness and productivity to lead core research, develop new analytical articles and reports, and recruit and supervise the work of Senior Economists, Economists, and Research Analysts in the Department. The Principal Economist will be a motivated and dynamic professional, with exceptional analytical skills and policy-relevant experience, expertise in private sector development and applied research, a strong track record of publications, and team spirit, working in collaboration with colleagues in other Departments in the CED VPU, in IFC Operations, and at the World Bank. The position is based at IFC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. will report to the Director, CER. 

Duties and responsibilities:

The roles and responsibilities of the position will include:

• Develop and grow a strategic knowledge portfolio on one or more themes of trade and supply chains, agriculture and food markets, competitiveness and productivity, firm financing, and financial markets for low- and middle-income countries. Research focus should be relevant to companies, sectors, and national private sector development policies. A successful candidate will also be expected to make substantive contributions to knowledge work in other core topics of the Department such as financial services, inclusion, and private capital mobilization (including green finance), technology (including disruptive technologies), and job creation and skills.
• Within the area(s) of trade and supply chains, agriculture and food markets, and competitiveness and productivity, oversee the production of economic research reports, articles, and academic publications based on new analysis and data, providing strategic guidance, oversight, and quality assurance to the team of economists. Research findings should be relevant to IFC operations, investors, and policymakers, and should contribute to the global dialogue amongst business and government leaders and other thought leaders.
• Oversee and shape the communication strategy within the focus areas above, including publications, blogs, and digital assets; conferences, talks, and other engagement with academic and business thought leaders in relevant fields; and convening a Community of Interest for economists and researchers across the IFC.
• In partnership with Operations Management, ensure that lessons learnt from IFC’s operations as well as IFC’s knowledge and experience of private sector development policy and economics are captured, curated, and disseminated across IFC Operations and in the WBG.
• Develop new global engagements and interface with university economics departments, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and other International Financial Institutions and external partners on one or more thematic areas above.
• Supervise the work of some of the Department’s PhD economists, data scientists, and other researchers to ensure quality, consistency, and conformity to the highest levels of rigor. Guide colleagues on program design and management, project delivery, and professional development.
• Drive and inspire technical excellence within the Department by creating an environment of learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
• Deliver the agreed upon work program through cost effective use of resources and ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs.

Selection Criteria:

• PhD in Economics or related field is desirable; Master’s degree in Economics or a closely related field with at least 12 years relevant experience as an economics and finance research practitioner.
• Commitment to the WBG and IFC’s mission and values.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including econometric approaches, survey design and implementation, economic modeling, as well as design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs to promote private sector development. Experience leading work on vulnerabilities, stress tests, and exchange rates would be a plus.
• Ability to analyze complex policy problems and develop new and innovative approaches.
• Demonstrated track record of publishing high-impact economic reports and articles for external audiences in topics related to private sector development and IFC’s thematic areas of focus.
• In-depth knowledge of the economics of trade and supply chains, agriculture and food markets, firm financing, financial markets, with focus on firms in emerging and low-income economies.
• Ability to integrate subject matter knowledge within broader frameworks and approaches.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including building high-performing teams and coaching and mentoring junior colleagues.
• Effective and persuasive oral and written communication skills. Ability to cultivate an active network of relationships inside and outside the organization and to represent IFC publicly as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a collaborative manner in a matrixed, highly complex and global organization.

Source:  https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27524&site=1