The World Bank hires 01 Economiste, Juba, South Sudan
- 172101
- Economist
- Economic Policy
- Professional & Technical
- GF
- Juba, South Sudan
- Local Hire
- English [Essential]
- 07-Dec-2017
THE WORLD BANK GROUP
Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2014, the WBG committed $65.6 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $22.2 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188 member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.
The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). IBRD and IDA are commonly known as the World Bank, which is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions, and – as of July 1, 2014 – has introduced fourteen Global Practices (GPs) as well as five Cross-Cutting Solution Areas (CCSAs) to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
GLOBAL PRACTICES & CROSS-CUTTING SOLUTIONS AREAS
The 14 GPs are: Agriculture; Education; Energy and Extractives; Environment and Natural Resources; Finance and Markets; Governance; Health, Nutrition and Population; Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management; Poverty; Social Protection and Labor; Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience; Trade and Competitiveness; Transport and ICT; and Water. The 5 CCSAs are: Climate Change; Fragility, Conflict and Violence; Gender; Jobs; and Public-Private Partnerships. The new operating model is part of a broader internal reform aimed at delivering the best of the World Bank Group to our clients, so that together we can achieve the twin goals of (1) ending extreme poverty by 2030, and (2) promote shared prosperity for the bottom 40% of the population in every developing country.
GLOBAL PRACTICE FOR MACROECONOMICS and FISCAL MANAGEMENT
The Global Practice for Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management (MFM) comprises about 313 staff working across more than 100 countries. The Practice houses the Bank’s country economists as well as professional staff with expertise in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, growth, and statistics. About fifty percent of MFM professional staff is decentralized to the field working very closely with the CMUs and in proximity to clients. MFM professionals most often work across sectors helping carry out key integrative functions. In this context MFM professionals are responsible for the preparation and delivery of most of the Bank’s Development Policy Operations using both IDA and IBRD resources. MFM professionals also lead or participate in a wide variety of AAA and client advisory work requiring an integrative function that adds to the core MFM expertise. As such MFM staff often lead or participate in the preparation of Strategic Country Diagnostics, Country Economic Memorandums and cross sector Public Expenditure Reviews. An important additional element of engagement in macroeconomic and fiscal policies is carried through work on debt management supported by the Debt Management Facility. Knowledge and learning is a central part of MFM with work focused on 5 thematic areas: (a) macroeconomics; (b) fiscal policy; (c) growth; (d) economic management in resource rich environments; and (e) macroeconomic modelling & statistics.
REGIONAL AND COUNTRY CONTEXT
In mid-2013 the main actors within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) split into two – the Government faction, led by President Salva Kiir, and the SPLM-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Riek Machar. War broke out between the two factions in December 2013. The nearly two-years of conflict in South Sudan has eroded development gains, worsened humanitarian situations, and deepened vulnerabilities. It has left thousands dead, around 2 million people, or close to one fifth of the population displaced, with some 200,000 still residing in shelters in UN bases, and 4.6 million in ‘emergency’ or ‘crisis’ levels of food insecurity. The conflict has damaged infrastructure, destroyed propertied, limited livelihood opportunities, and obliterated personal assets.
In August 2015, the parties signed the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict. This Agreement created a framework for the creation of a Transitional Government of National Unity (TG) to lead the country over the next 30 months to national elections in 2018. In April 2016, the return of Riek Machar to Juba as First Vice President (FVP) led to the appointment of a new power-sharing TG cabinet and the launch of the transitional period. This was halted when from July 8-11, fighting broke out between opposing SPLA (Government) and SPLA-IO forces in Juba. Riek Machar fled the city with his forces and now resides in South Africa. Taban Deng from the IO was appointed as FVP by the President on 26 July. Various reports have estimated that over 200 soldiers died and some 40,000 civilians were displaced. The July events in Juba were a major set-back to the peace process
The WBG recognizes the enormous needs, particularly with the recent jump in poverty rates to 66 percent of the population. Some 4.8 million people are severely food insecure, and about 2.5 million are displaced. The current macroeconomic crisis is further exacerbating the situation with increasing inflation and the widening fiscal deficit. In the last two years (2014-2015) the Bank support to the country program amounted USD 105 million. The current portfolio accounts for USD 212 million for five key projects: Local Governance and Service Delivery Project; South Sudan Health Rapid Results Project; South Sudan Rural Roads Project; Safety Net and Skills Development Project; and Statistical Capacity Development Project. We have an active undisbursed portfolio of $140 million in programs focused on poverty alleviation, livelihood support and provision of basic services for the most vulnerable.
Background & General Description:
The Macro Fiscal Management Global Practice is looking for a strong Economist (GF) (Local hire) to be based in Juba, South Sudan as part of a broader team covering South Sudan. The Macroeconomic and Fiscal Management (MFM) team in provides economic analysis on a range of macroeconomic and fiscal management issues. The team supports bank management with regular economic monitoring and macroeconomic modeling/forecasting. The team further maintains local databases for economic and social statistics for use by Bank staff. Additionally, the MFM team also works closely with the Country Management Unit on a range of fiscal issues through Analytical products (AAA), lending operations and client advisory work.
The successful candidate will join the MFM team in Juba and will report to the Practice Manager, MFM (GMF13). In the day to day work will contribute mostly to the South Sudan team working closely with the Senior Economist and Lead Economist covering South Sudan, but may also take part in various teams led by different Task Team Leaders as agreed in periodic work program discussions.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.
The Economist will be responsible for the monitoring and assessment of macroeconomic developments in South Sudan and will also contribute to the preparation and supervision of the MFM’s work program working closely with the Senior Economist and Lead Economist covering South Sudan as well as the Country Manager and country team.
Specifically, the Economist will:
• Monitor developments in the economy, research and analyze the country’s economic, financial and sector issues;
• Maintain macroeconomic database and regularly prepare updated medium-term macroeconomic projections. Use/run economic/financial models and toolkits using existing software packages, or Bank’s own models;
• Participate in the design, preparation and dissemination of analytical economic work and reporting on South Sudan, including country economic updates; and coordinate the preparation of the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA);
• Prepare briefs and analytical notes, and contribute to the writing of sections in analytical reports, in particular for the biannual South Sudan Economic Updates.
• Support the Country Management Unit (CMU) in the implementation of the World Bank’s South Sudan program.
• Engage in policy dialogue with government of South Sudan in coordination with the Lead Economist or Senior Economist;
• Develop and maintain active engagement with other development partners and local think tanks and researchers.
• Work across countries as needed as part of the global MFM team.
Required Competencies
• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills – Possesses a demonstrated track record of working with economic and sectoral data and analytical tools and models to conduct economic analyses and produce user-friendly written outputs; understands underlying statistical concepts.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Understands policy making process; distills operationally relevant recommendations/lessons for clients.
• Policy Dialogue Skills – Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an important role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders.
• Integrative Skills – Working to develop an integrated view across all facets of current sector.
• Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience – Demonstrates basic macroeconomic modeling skills and knowledge; understands how different accounts in an economy fit together and links among real, monetary, trade, debt and balance of payments accounts.
• Written and Verbal Communication – Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup.
• Lead and Innovate- Develops innovative solutions with others.
• Deliver Results for Clients- Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries- Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge- Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
• Make Smart Decisions- Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.
Selection Criteria
• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Economics with at least 5 years of relevant work experience (PhD Preferred).
• Technical Proficiency: Skills and experience in working on economic policy issues and data analysis. Proven strong conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in these areas.
• Communication and Team Skills: High level of personal and professional integrity. Self-starter. Strong ability to function well in a multi- cultural environment, and working in teams.
• Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills, and strong communication skills.
• Computer Skills: Familiarity with econometric software such as E-Views, STATA or other statistical packages and MS Office programs, including Excel, is essential.
