ECONOMIST

Job Description

Description

Would you like a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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 and Country Context

The Middle East and North Africa Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena

The Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment (MTI) MENA unit covers work in 25 countries within the region.

This Economist position pertains to the Morocco MTI program. It would add to the current team that includes a Lead Country Economist that covers the Maghreb region, a Senior Economist focusing solely on Morocco, and a Research Analyst also focusing on Morocco. In recent years, the Morocco program has been anchored around support to preparation and supervision of high-profile development policy financings (DPFs) and major analytical reports including a Climate Change Development Report (CCDR), a semi-annual Morocco Economic Monitor, and a growing program of fiscal analytics covering revenues and expenditures (Public Finance Review), as well as a forthcoming Country Economic Memorandum (CEM). The team also contributes the macroeconomic components of multi-sector analytical reports and operational documents. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/Morocco

Duties and Accountabilities

As part of the MTI team, your responsibilities will be the following:

• Conduct macroeconomic monitoring and contribute to the dialogue on macroeconomic policy and economic growth issues with the authorities, the IMF and other development partners and non-government partners.
• Guide sector teams on the macroeconomic implications of sector policies and investment decisions.
• Lead and provide support to lending operations focused on economic policies and reforms;
• Provide thought leadership on core economic development issues. In partnership with Global Practices, analyze challenges to economic growth, job creation and productivity;
• Conduct economic research, contributing to the preparation of policy papers, policy notes and reports, including core analytics such as Country Economic Memorandums, and Public Expenditure Reviews;
• Support the analytical work program of the Country Management Unit including the preparation of country engagement products and other key strategic pieces, such as the Systematic Country Diagnostics, Country Partnership Frameworks, and country briefs;
• Support specific technical assistance activities on macro-fiscal issues
• Engage with technical expertise and promote knowledge across Global Practices to advance the economc development agenda;
• Support the Lead and Senior Economists, Practice Manager and the Global Practice with corporate demands, as needed;

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree (PhD preferred) in Economics or a closely related field, with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience in development economics.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and French (fluency in both is mandatory and will be strictly followed), including the ability to present sophisticated analyses to non-specialist audiences.
• Working knowledge of Morocco’s economy and of the country’s development challenges a definite advantage.
• Proven client orientation and diplomatic skills combined with integrity and courage of opinion.
• Entrepreneurial capabilities that can be deployed in identifying and securing new business opportunities.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out complex research and operational tasks, identifying issues, communicating findings/ recommendations and contributing to resolution of sector issues.
• Demonstrated synergetic skills, including coaching, mentoring and motivating junior colleagues, and resolving disputes.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment, and work flexibly on a range of assignments, to adjust to changing needs, and to prioritize among evolving tasks.
• Creative, resourceful self-starter and multi-tasker with excellent organization and planning skills.
 
Required Competencies

• Macroeconomic and quantitative Skills – Strong macroeconomic skills supported by quantitative skills. Published work relating to macro-economic, fiscal, growth, structural policy and poverty issues a key advantage. Demonstrated proficiency in standard econometric packages such as Stata, R, or Python, with the ability to apply advanced statistical techniques to analyze complex economic data.
• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills – Acknowledged intellectual leadership and ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and specific micro/sector fields of expertise; providing quality assurance and assesses technical soundness of work/reports.
• Knowledge and Experience in the Development Arena – Influences the design and execution of major policy and research initiatives; conceives and promotes innovations in development policies, project design, organization and management to improve operational and sector work.
• Policy Dialogue Skills – Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an active role in engaging with the government and other partners.

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.

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