.
World Bank Nigeria Recruits Senior Economist; May 2011
| The World Bank provides over $24 billion in assistance to developing and transition countries every year. The Bank's projects and policies affect the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide - sometimes for the better, but very often in controversial and problematic ways. The World Bank was originally established to support reconstruction in Europe after World War II, but has since reframed its mission and expanded its operations both geographically and substantively. Today, the Bank's mission is to reduce poverty. It has over 184 member countries and provides over $24 billion annually for activities ranging from agriculture to trade policy, from health and education to energy and mining. The World Bank provides funding for bricks-and-mortar projects, as well to promote economic and policy prescriptions it believes will promote economic growth. For example, part of the over $300 million the Bank is currently providing the West African country of Niger funds health programs addressing HIV/AIDS and irrigation. However, the Bank also promotes more controversial projects in the country, like privatization of state enterprises. |
World Bank Nigeria is recruiting candidates to fill the vacant position of Senior Economist.
Job Title: Senior Economist
Job # 110709
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Language Requirements: English [Essential]; French [Essential]
Objective:
The Senior Economist will lead and oversee a demand-driven research program on regional integration in West Africa that will
1) take stock of progress made so far (and identify where progress is lacking or absent) and analyze the political economy of the regional integration process,
2) examine the reasons for this mixed performance,
3) compile new analysis where important gaps are identified,
4) describe and quantify the costs and benefits of regional integration,
5) improve understanding of the appropriate phasing of regional integration,
6) develop and publish indicators to measure progress and generate demand for improvement, and
7) present practical solutions to overcoming key constraints to regional integration.
He/she will work in close collaboration with the regional integration bodies and a steering committee that will give guidance to the Senior Economist with regard to key priorities of the regional actors that will determine the research agenda under the program. The selected candidate will ensure that the program produces high quality research outputs responding to client needs and will work closely with researchers inside and outside the World Bank implementing elements of the research agenda.
The selected candidate will also help establish regional knowledge platforms and research networks, and support capacity building measures to help formulate and implement relevant policies and projects. At the same time, the selected candidate will also work on integrating relevant research outputs into World Bank operations by ensuring a continuous dialogue with staff working on trade and regional integration in the World Bank.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Senior Economist will be responsible for:
(i) Supporting the program Steering Committee to ensure regional priorities are adequately reflected in the research agenda and that the program is effectively implemented;
(ii) Promoting a dialogue with governments and regional institutions on issues of regional integration, identifying demand for analytical work in the area of regional integration, and helping transfer this demand into actual proposals for research that can be undertaken by the program;
(iii) Identifying researchers inside and outside the region who can conduct the research, and setting up procedures to evaluate their proposals and review their work;
(iv) Developing key indicators, including establishing benchmarks, to monitor progress of the regional integration process in West Africa. This activity will be undertaken in close collaboration with the African Development Bank;
(v) Working together with the steering committee, ECOWAS, UEMOA, and the AfDB to establish regional knowledge platforms on key policy issues, as well as establishing a network of researchers and think tanks in the region;
(vi) Developing, in cooperation with regional and national partners, innovative research outputs accessible to a broad audience of West African citizens by simplifying the complexity of analytical writing. Develop and implement innovative dissemination methods in terms of the selection of participants, methods of delivery, feed-back, and subsequent follow up to assess effectiveness of transferring knowledge;
(vii) Ensuring that World Bank quality assurance procedures are followed for work that is actually being led by World Bank teams; and provide quality advice on other research led by other institutions working with the steering committee;
(viii) Working in collaboration with Bank staff from FPD, PREM, SD, DECRD and WBI to ensure the project and its key research results link up with and inform other Bank activities;
(ix) Handling the overall administrative and financial management of the program, including the preparation of research grants, annual reports, etc.
Selection Criteria
- Advanced degree in economics and at least 10 years of relevant experience in trade policy and regional integration.
- Superior analytical skills demonstrated through a strong track record of major economic reports or other published work relating to economic policy and trade analysis. Ability to conduct innovative work in challenging environments is also required.
- Experience working in research capacity building and in policy dialogue with governments.
- Knowledge of West Africa preferable.
- Strong interpersonal skills and client focus.
- Ability to operate effectively both as team leader and team member.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
- Commitment to and experience with knowledge sharing.
The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Application deadline
10th May, 2011
