Economist

Job #: req21691
Organization: IFC
Sector: Economics
Grade: GF
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 3/24/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Vice President, Global Industries (CGIVP) is responsible for i) leading business development with global clients; ii) managing IFC’s global sector communities of practice; iii) supporting operational process simplification; and iv) collaborating closely across the World Bank Group to align sector strategies, to contribute lessons from IFC operations, to support policy/sector reforms, and to implement the Cascade approach. CGIVP oversees the Operations Management and Corporate Portfolio Departments as well as all Global Industry Departments, which include Disruptive Technologies and Funds, Energy and Mining, Financial Institutions, Health and Education, Infrastructure, Manufacturing Agribusiness and Services, and Trade and Supply Chain.

The Global Industries Economics Unit is a new unit led by the Senior Economic Advisor to the CGIVP. The Unit will work in close collaboration with the different Global Industry departments to design and develop prospective analytical tools and knowledge products grounded in economics to support sector strategies and policy/sector reforms, business development, and portfolio management. Activities include (i) designing analytical frameworks and leveraging econometric tools, economic modeling, and data science tools to generate economic intelligence that supports strategy design across industries and geographies, and business development; (ii) analyzing industry structure and functioning, including market competition policies to inform strategy, investment and advisory operations design; (iii) identifying how global megatrends and economic development issues (e.g., climate, energy, food security) affect IFC’s portfolio and inform the design of its new business/operations and instruments. Working jointly with Global Industry departments, the Global Industries Economics Unit will undertake analytical and data work geared towards identifying and sizing the potential to scale IFC delivery in certain industries, including understanding the challenges IFC may face in venturing into new sectors or lines of business; and offer appropriate recommendations on how to leverage existing tools and systems or develop new ones that will enable IFC to deliver on its ambitious targets.

The Global Industries Economics Unit will also work in close collaboration with the Development Impact Measurement department to develop impact assessment approaches for new products and platforms, including supporting teams in maximizing impact and ensuring the climate dimensions in IFC investment projects are adequately articulated. The Unit will also be responsible for coordinating inputs from IFC Global Industry departments and engagements with relevant World Bank (WB) practice groups, to effectively integrate IFC perspectives in WBG sector strategies, economic sector work, sector analytics and reports/papers. The unit will support IFC’s participation in the Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) production process, as well. Besides, the Global Industries Economics Unit will represent IFC in dialogues with external stakeholders on economic issues pertaining to industry trends. This will include developing technical as well as non-technical communication materials including presentations, reports, technical papers, and other media; and helping to put together and participate in internal and external dissemination of tools, analyses, and findings.

The new Unit is looking to hire an Industry Economist to join the team. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative, economic/econometric and research skills combined with substantive practical and operational experience of applying economics and technical analysis to IFC sectors of operations to further business development and enhance business-oriented strategies. The candidate is expected to have good knowledge and experience in private sector development issues related to at least one of the industries/sectors where IFC operates such as energy, transport, telecom, capital markets, banking and finance, private equity funds, agribusiness, manufacturing, and tourism; as well as excellent communication and teamwork competencies.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Contribute to enhance the role of economic analysis in business development and strategy design across IFC industries and sectors of business, globally and within specific geographies.
• Generate prospective analyses linking global megatrends, and critical development issues (e.g., climate, energy, food security) with industry-specific trends on financial performance, development impact and financing issues.
• Provide economic intelligence to inform business development, sector strategies, investment, and advisory operations design, as well as WBG strategy and policy work.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of cutting-edge analytics and practical knowledge products and tools (including cross-sector and sector-specific) relevant to IFC operations in specific IFC global industries, based on robust economic rationale and theory, working jointly with global industry teams.
• Support the preparation, review, and approval of Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs).
• Ensure that lessons learnt from IFC’s operations as well as IFC’s knowledge and experience of industry related private sector development are incorporated in new analyses and knowledge products and are disseminated across IFC Operations and in the WBG.
• Collect and synthesize all required information to develop analysis and tools about different development and financing issues and performance trends across sectors and geographies, from a variety of internal and external sources.
• Contribute to developing communication and dissemination materials of the different analyses performed, for diverse audiences.

Selection Criteria

• Ph.D. in economics/finance/business or Master’ s degree in economics/finance/business with a substantive operational and/or analytics experience in at least one of the IFC industry/sectors of operation.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience applying sector economics and data analytics to specific industry issues (in energy, transport, telecom, capital markets, banking and finance, private equity funds, agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, etc.) related to business development, strategy, development impact and/or performance.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and applied research to strategic thinking and business development, and to implement empirical analysis using data and evidence from different sources.
• Applied research and tool development skills with strong ability to design and implement tools oriented to support operational decision-making and strategy design, working under the highest standards in terms of economic rigor.
• Experience with business analytics, economic analysis and methods, and data management. Knowledge of data science is a plus.
• Good understanding of private sector issues across emerging markets, including the ability to analyze and compare the functioning of specific sectors/industries across countries. Demonstrated ability to translate ideas into actionable recommendations.
• Understanding of IFC 3.0 strategy and familiarity with IFC’s strategic priorities.
• Proven capability to handle complex assignments – practical problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness in designing, leading, and performing various analytical tasks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders.
• Strong team player, with proven ability to work collaboratively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment. A strong work ethic and high integrity.

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.