Senior Economist

Senior Economist

Job #:

req34156

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Economics

Grade:

GG

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Islamabad,Pakistan

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

9/9/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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. Visit

Regional Context

The Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Region

The Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region serves 22 countries across different income groups, of which 14 are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Afghanistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia, and Yemen), with a total of 251 projects and over US$51 bn in total commitment. Eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The mission of the region is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The region attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The region places high value on diversity. The region is organized into seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MAPDE).

With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank aims to help the region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, develop its human capital to adapt to global megatrends, and foster innovation. For more information, please visit  

The Economic Policy (EP) staff work across a wide array of Bank instruments and often lead or participate in the preparation of Strategic Country Diagnostics for both the public and private sectors, as well as other analytic tools such as Country Economic Memoranda on Jobs and Growth, macroeconomic monitoring and surveillance, fiscal management, trade policy and investment, and Country Climate Development Reports.  Knowledge and learning is a central part of EP's work focused on 6 thematic areas: (a) macroeconomic policy; (b) fiscal policy; (c) growth and jobs; (d) trade and regional integration; (e) investment policy and promotion; and (f) business regulation. 

BACKGROUND AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The MENAAP EP team is looking for an outstanding Senior Economist, to be based in Islamabad, Pakistan, to lead the country macroeconomics program and undertake country economist tasks. The tasks include regular macroeconomic monitoring with biannual economic updates, a Country Economic Memorandum, Debt Sustainability Analysis, Fiscal Management, Program for Results Operations, and Development Policy Operations. 
The EP Team in MENAAP is responsible for macro-economic, trade and growth analysis, economic policy dialogue, technical advice, and capacity building support in the areas of macro-economic and fiscal management, and budget related reforms, trade policy and competitiveness and economic growth. In addition to its regular economic monitoring mandate, the team manages a rich program consisting of the delivery of analytical and advisory products as well as technical assistance and training activities. The Senior Economist will also play a key role in coordination of economic policy dialogue with the other relevant stakeholders in Pakistan. The selected candidate will report to the EP Practice Manager covering MENAAP.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the regular macroeconomic monitoring work with biannual economic updates.

• Provide intellectual and technical leadership for the country work and advise the Country Management Unit and the broader country team on country economic issues.

• Provide the day-to-day technical guidance on macroeconomics and growth issues to the EP Team working in Pakistan, in close consultation with the EP Lead Economist and the EP Practice Manager.

• Lead the next Country Growth and Jobs report and related engagement with stakeholders in-country. 

• Support the Lead Economist in the dialogue on policy reforms and related financing operations. 

• Lead and/or participate, as needed, in a broad range of lending and non-lending tasks and take a pro-active role in promoting the latest lending and advisory services and analytics.

• Foster and animate dialogue with key government counterparts, academia, private sector and development partners on macroeconomics and growth issues, to ensure high impact of analytical work.

• Ensure the integration of key EP thematic areas (inclusive growth, fiscal management, macro-economic modelling, trade and regional integration, productivity and growth) in the country work program and promote multi-sector approaches, with particular attention on links between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

• Engage with the broader country team, other GPs and CCSAs to enhance the rigor of advice on cross- cutting and sectoral issues related to trade, regional integration and growth.

• Facilitate interaction and exchange of expertise and knowledge with the broader Prosperity Team.

Selection Criteria

The position requires a motivated and seasoned country economist with strong analytical and interpersonal skills, significant experience in operational and analytic work drawing on diverse teams. In addition, technical expertise on debt sustainability issues is a plus.

• Master's or Ph.D. (preferred) degree in economics, with at least eight years of relevant professional experience;

• Strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in delivery of Bank operations, such as ASAs, Fee-Based Services or Development Policy Financing (DPFs);

• Strong integrative capacities; i.e., ability to situate EP activities within a coherent strategic framework;

• Demonstrated effectiveness in conducting policy dialogue on economic issues with senior government officials, the private sector, donor representatives and civil society;

• Superior analytical skills demonstrated through task leadership of major economic reports and other published work related to macroeconomic, fiscal, growth and structural policy issues;

• Ability to gain the trust and respect of country counterparts, while maintaining objectivity and clear focus on the Bank's mission;

• Ability to enhance the quality of Bank products through early guidance, constructive feedback, encouraging innovation and risk taking, and establishing links with other networks and relevant partners;

• Proven ability to lead teams, mentor staff, inspire staff commitment to technical excellence and teamwork, and resolve conflicts constructively; and 

• Excellent command of English is essential.

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense
of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal
and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful
Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous
decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment
and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable
manner for impactful results.

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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