Senior Economist

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. 

East Asia and the Pacific (EAP)

The East Asia and the Pacific Region (EAP) has made the fastest progress in economic growth and poverty reduction of any region in the last quarter-century! Despite progress, the EAP region still faces huge development challenges. A large portion of the region’s population remains vulnerable to income shocks, including from a global economic slowdown, changing global and regional value-chains, and climate-related risks. We need the greatest talent focused on the EAP region to harness the potential and innovation happening across the continent. Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team! 

Position

The Economic Policy Global Practice is seeking to recruit a highly qualified economist with strong technical and communication skills for the position of Senior Economist for Viet Nam.  In Viet Nam, the World Bank works on a range of projects aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth, improving infrastructure, enhancing social services and ensuring sustainability and resilience. Working as part of an international team, the Senior Economist will play a critical role in providing high-quality, cutting edge economic analysis and policy advice related to macroeconomics, trade, investment, fiscal policy and the economics of climate change. This position requires outstanding quantitative and analytical skills, a deep understanding of Vietnam’s economic landscape, the ability to communicate complex economic policy issues and to collaborate with various stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, and civil society. The work has great visibility within the region and across the Bank. The position is based in Hanoi, Viet Nam. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected candidate will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Economic Monitoring and Analysis: Conduct Macro-Economic Research, gather and interpret data from various sources, such as national statistics, international databases, and economic surveys. Analyze economic trends, including GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and external balances. Build and refine macroeconomic models to forecast economic trends and assess the impacts of policy changes. Work with project teams to integrate macroeconomic analysis into development projects and initiatives. Keep up with global economic trends, policy debates, and research advancements to ensure the relevance and accuracy of analysis.
• Policy Dialogue and Client Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with national governments, international organizations, academic institutions, and other development partners. Support and advise government clients in economic policy formulation related to fiscal and monetary policies, trade, investment, and climate change.  Provide evidence-based recommendations on economic policies to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and job creation. Support capacity-building efforts to enhance the ability of Vietnamese government institutions to conduct independent macroeconomic analysis and policy-making. Collaborate with external partners such as the IMF, OECD, UN, donor agencies, private sector and civil society. Take up speaking engagements in workshops and conferences in Viet Nam.
• Reporting and Communication: Draft comprehensive reports and policy briefs on economic conditions, trends. Communicate research findings and policy recommendations to stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and the public. Share insights through publications, conferences, and seminars to promote understanding and dialogue on macroeconomic issues. Prepare country economic briefs for internal use.

Selection Criteria

Required skills and competencies

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Economics with eight years of relevant professional experience (A completed PhD is equivalent to 3 years of relevant professional experience).
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills and ability to conduct rigorous and policy relevant economic research.
• Strong technical skills on macro-fiscal and growth issues and accomplishment of producing high-quality and technically sophisticated analytical work.
• Strong operational and policy dialogue skills, as evidenced by a proven track record in delivering impact and results.
• Strong integrative skills to apply and connect economic analysis across a range of development challenges.
• Possesses a track record of intellectual leadership and ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and specific micro/sector fields of expertise; provides quality assurance and assesses technical soundness of work/reports.
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, collaboration and leadership qualities, and ability to work effectively across sectors/GPs.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and to present ideas clearly and concisely with senior authorities and to communicate and defend difficult issues and positions.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=29557&site=1