Chief Economist Gerente

Chief Economist, LAC

Job #: req10272
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Economics
Grade: GI
Term Duration: 4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English, Spanish
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 12/14/2020 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

The WBG serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state. Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita income of about $4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region’s people living in poverty. The last Bank’s strategy for LCR focused on three pillars: (a) supporting the foundations for inclusive growth; (b) investing in human capital and protecting the poor; and (c) building resilience. In the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, this strategy will need to be adjusted to better support the countries deal with a health crisis without precedents and an economic crisis not seen since modern statistical records started in 1900. Yet, the basic elements of the strategy: accelerating growth (following a projected GDP contraction in 2020 of 7.2%), investing in human capital, including in health (in the most affected region by COVID19), and building resilience appear fully relevant

The Office of the Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean (LCRCE) is responsible for the following roles, programs and products.

1. Research. The LCR Chief Economist deploys his/her own staff and leverage and mobilizes talent from other World Bank units, as well as from the academic community and think tanks to design, implement, and disseminate a robust, rigorous, and policy-relevant Regional Research Program. The program is developed in consultation with the Regional Leadership Team and approved by the Regional Vice-President.It leads to regional flagship reports and studies, backed-up by research papers of academic caliber.

2. Engagement. Through the semiannual report for the region, participation in multiple conferences and seminars, and communication through traditional and social media, the LCR Chief Economist helps shape a narrative for the region.This engagement is conducted in partnership with other relevant multilateral organizations, government counterparts, key influencers at the country level, regional research networks, and academic institutions.It involves the organization of policy-oriented and academic events to promote evidence-based discussion of issues that are seen as priorities for the region.

3. Advice. As a member of the regional leadership team, the Regional Chief Economist is the main counsellor to the regional Vice President on economic issues.He/she is expected to actively participate in the discussion of major lending operations, and especially of those involving policy reforms. On request, he/she also contributes to engagements at the country level, to enhancing the quality of important analytical products by other units in the region, and to reviewing major corporate products and initiatives, such as global flagship reports, sectoral strategies, financial innovations and data-related undertakings.

4. Quality Enhancement, advice to LCR RLT and corporate contributions.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Chief Economist will:

* Provide intellectual leadership on economic matters to ensure the quality and relevance of economic and sector non-lending services;

* Provide advice to Regional Managers and to the RVP on Systematic Country Diagnostics andCountry Partnership Frameworks;

* Provide guidance on the design and ensure the quality of development policy finance and P4R;

* Ensure the quality of sectoral and economic analysis in investment project financing;

* Develop, guide and disseminate regional economic work for example the Regional Studies Program;

* Act as regional spokesperson on economic issues for both internal and external audiences;

* Interact with the academic and policy communities in client countries and internationally;

* Liaise with the economic units of other international and bilateral agencies working with the region;

* Support the RVP and Country Directors on country policy dialogue at their request;

* Support the Bank’s Chief Economist with requested regional inputs to the WDR, GDF, GEP and other institutional policy papers, and with respect to the research Agenda of DEC;

* Represent the Bank Group in such external functions as the Senior Management may request.

[the_ad id=»47253″]

Selection Criteria

* Passion for the WBG mission

* Demonstrated ability to work with senior government officials to resolve complex economic problems and provide policy advice at the national level;

* Ability and willingness to work in a corporate, team environment;

* Highly respected by policymakers, peers, and staff as mentor, advisor, and guide;

* Proven ability to share knowledge and experience, and to identify and disseminate best practices

* Demonstrated leadership values and exemplification of WBG managerial and core competencies, as referenced below

* Personal leadership in shaping and leading new agendas, bringing thought leadership and analysis together with delivery capacity for maximum client impact

* Proven ability to share knowledge and experience, and to identify and disseminate best practices

* Ability to write and express complex economic ideas to different audiences, including the general public

Position-Specific Requirements:

* Ph.D. in economics or closely related discipline

* Substantive senior level professional experience in a research and/or public/private/academic organization

* Policy-making experience desirable

WBG Leadership Values:

– Leadership of Self: Role model the change and values for WBG; Demonstrate courage of convictions, ownership and self-mastery within the organization in accordance to our values

– People Leadership: Lead and inspire staff to perform and deliver for better results; Help others achieve their fullest potential through coaching and mentorship

– Collaborative Leadership: Be mutually accountable for entire WBG’s corporate targets and success; Work across WBG and with clients and partners to achieve better results

– Client Solutions Leadership: Be the leading provider of development solutions for country clients; Provide leadership in both knowledge generation and knowledge sharing

– Decisive Leadership: Take informed risks and make decisions in a transparent manner resulting in transformative impact for clients; Commit to decisions once they have been made

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

Bank Managerial Competencies

WBG Five Managerial Competencies