Senior Economist - GG - World Bank Group

World Bank Group

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to join us to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank (WB) is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID) dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. 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 

The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the premier research and data arm of the World Bank. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice President and World Bank Group Chief Economist, DEC sets the Bank's research agenda and advises Bank Management on a wide range of development policy issues. DEC also advises policy makers on development challenges and helps to promote development issues within the broad development community. 

The Development Data Group (DECDG) under the Development Economics Vice Presidency provides global public goods, including methods, standards, and tools for data work, as well as high-quality development indicators and datasets. DECDG also supports member countries engaged in building their statistical capacity, supports the use of development data within the World Bank, and manages several Trust Funds to support the global data agenda. The work of DECDG calls for an extensive partnership with the Word Bank's Global Practices and country teams, other international organizations, and member countries' statistical offices.

Responsibilities

DECDG is seeking to recruit a senior economist to support its work program on debt statistics. The economists should possess an extensive knowledge and experience in External Debt, Balance of Payments, International Investment Position, and/or Government Finance Statistics.  The economists will:

-Lead the World Bank's Debtor Reporting System (DRS) manual and compilation guide to meet the latest international standards, including the Balance of Payments (BoP) and International Investment Position (IIP) guidelines.work on developing the methodologies and reporting template of the World Bank Debtor Reporting System (DRS) new manual and compilation guide in line with the international standards such as BoP/IIP. 

-Compile the external debt statistics for DRS eligible countries; ensure that data are collected, reviewed for quality, compiled per the DRS manual and made available in a timely manner.

-Build methodologies to capture and gap fill missing information to improve the coverage and accuracy of debt statistics. 

-Perform data quality control tasks and work on improving the metadata quality and timeliness of debt statistics. 

-Support the production of the International Debt Statistics series of publications.

-Support the update of current methodological standards of external debt, including implementation of new standards, definitions and classifications.

-Work on the World Bank Debtor Reporting System, supporting reporting agencies to understand the process and requirements, and ensuring that the data are collected, reviewed for quality, and made available in a timely manner. 

-Compile country level external debt data based on the World Bank Debtor Reporting System methodology. 

-Participate in data quality assurance processes to ensure that the data are ready for publication in the International Debt Statistics publication and debt reports.

-Support quarterly debt statistics compilation process; this involves communicating with reporting agencies as well as partner international organizations to resolve reporting issues.

-Support the Debt Statistics team in the collaboration and involvements with international technical groups working on external sector statistics.

-Contribute on the expansion of DRS to domestic debt data collection and compilation of public debt statistics. 

-Contribute on quarterly debt statistics collection, validation and publication. 

-Participate in improving the dissemination and transparency of debt statistics in the International Debt Statistics databases.

-Contribute to the data analysis in the International Debt Report series.

-Liaise with internal partners including global practices, central units, and country teams to collectively improve debt data transparency and support Bank policies.

-Support debt data users, respond to user queries, and provide explanations on data methodology, coverage, quality.

-Provide technical assistance and training to low- and middle-income countries on debt statistics.

-Mentor junior staff and consultants in the team.

Selection Criteria

-Master's Degree in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics, or related field.

-Minimum of 10 years post-graduate relevant work experience, preferably with a country's central bank or ministry of finance.

-Proven expertise in the compilation and analysis of Public Sector Debt, Balance of Payments, International Investment Position, External Debt, and/or Government Finance Statistics. 

-Knowledge of statistical methods and concepts underlying debt statistics.

-Strong analytical skills, and ability to interpret and communicate statistical information in a clear and analytically rigorous manner.

-Experience in providing technical assistance on debt statistics to developing countries.

-Commitment to high quality work and conceptual and analytical problem-solving ability. 

-Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams, deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment, and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

-Excellent time management skills, with an ability to deliver high quality products in a timely fashion to meet tight deadlines.

-Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

-High proficiency in statistical and data management software, such as Stata, R, and SAS, and Microsoft Office. 

Core competencies

-Statistical Knowledge and Experience - Demonstrates substantive working or functional proficiency level sufficient to apply this competency to all tasks requiring the competency including those with significant challenges. 

-Data Collection and Management - Demonstrates substantive working or functional proficiency level sufficient to apply this competency to all tasks requiring the competency including those with significant challenges. 

-Data Interpretation and Analysis - Demonstrates substantive working or functional proficiency level sufficient to apply this competency to all tasks requiring the competency including those with significant challenges.

-Written and Verbal Communication - Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup.

-Client Orientation - Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success. 

-Drive for Results - Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization to do so. 

-Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view. 

-Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner. 

-Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.

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.

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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%