Senior Economist

Comoros is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean with a population of about 840,000 people. The country faces many economic challenges, such as low growth, high poverty, high debt, and low public spending efficiency. The country needs to achieve macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth by attracting private investment, reforming its fiscal policies, and enhancing its public capital spending in support of economic transformation and jobs. The Government of Comoros has embarked on a national development strategy since 2019, which aims to create a competitive environment through macroeconomic stability and structural reforms. The World Bank supports this vision through the FY20-FY25 Country Partnership Framework (CPF).

As the Senior Country Economist for Comoros, you will lead the policy dialogue on economic growth and macro-fiscal issues, which is at the core of the World Bank’s program. You will have the opportunity to engage in high-level policy dialogue, conduct analytical work, and design lending operations, including budget support. You will work closely with the Country Director, the Resident Representative, and colleagues from other Global Practices to address structural issues such as trade, financial sector, infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable development matters.

We are looking for a skilled and energetic individual who is passionate about tackling complex development challenges, comfortable working in a fluid operating environment, has technical breadth and depth, with strong results and integrative orientation, and effective policy dialogue skills.

Responsibilities and Duties include:  

Lead MTI deliverables, including Development Policy Operations (DPOs), core advisory services and analytics (ASAs), namely Country Economic Memorandums (CEMs), Public Finance Reviews (PFRs), Economic Updates, Regional Flagships, as well as policy notes and just-time analytics on a wide range of issues such as fiscal policy, domestic revenue mobilization, natural resources revenue management, productivity, expenditure quality, and economic transformation for jobs.

• Lead and coordinate the policy dialogue on macroeconomic and fiscal policy and growth issues with the authorities, the IMF, development partners, and country stakeholders;
• Advise government authorities on the economic implications of sector policies and investment decisions, including in the selection and execution of public investments;
• Provide analytical inputs for and advise the Country Management Unit (CMU) on country strategic engagement and economic policy issues, including through active participation in key review meetings;
• Support the analytical work program of the Country Management Unit (CMU), including the preparation of Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs) and Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs);
• Contribute to the interpretation of analytical findings, formulation of key messages, and identification of policy implications and recommendations that are supported by the evidence;
• Support the Practice Manager and the Practice with economic monitoring and corporate due diligence tasks to ensure the overall quality of core MTI deliverables;
• Contribute to the drafting of presentations, memos, reports, notes, blogs, and analytical findings as per business needs; and
• Mentor and support the professional development of the research economist.

Selection Criteria

• At least Masters degree in Economics and 8 years of relevant experience.
• 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).

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27266&site=1