Senior Economist

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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 Human Development (HD) Practice Group (PG)

The World Bank Group (WBG) is the largest provider of development finance and solutions for human development working with high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries to develop country-tailored solutions for human development (HD) under the themes of education, health, social protection, jobs and gender. The HD PG coordinates with other Practice Groups to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to development challenges, and through the World Bank Regional Units is expected to deliver the strongest and most pertinent support to our client countries. HD is central to the World Bank Group's goals to end extreme poverty by 2030 and raise shared prosperity.

Education Global Practice

Education is a human right, a powerful driver of development and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability. It delivers large, consistent returns in terms of income and is the most important factor to ensure equality of opportunities. For individuals, education promotes employment, earnings, health, and poverty reduction.

The mission of the Education Global Practice is to ensure that everyone can achieve her or his full potential with access to quality education and lifelong learning. The Education GP helps clients address challenges through financing, knowledge services, and strategic partnerships.

At the country level, the Education GP supports a systemic, equitable, and inclusive approach to improve access to and quality of education across all levels of schooling from early childhood and basic education to workforce training and tertiary education; as well as across all contexts, from fragile settings to upper-middle-income economies. It supports investments and policy reforms to improve the delivery of education services, including through multisectoral approaches, public-private partnerships, and results-based financing.

At the global level, the Global Engagement and Knowledge Unit (GEAK) (a) contributes to global knowledge products and know-how across key strategic areas and priorities (including early childhood development, teachers, curriculum and learning materials, student assessment, skills development, management capacity and service delivery, education finance, and education technology) and help ensure that the EDU GP's global, regional, and country-based products, operations, and analytical activities reflect this global knowledge; (b) facilitates global (cross-regional and cross-country) knowledge exchange through thematic groups; (c) support contributes to capacity development; and (d) develops and manages strategic partnerships (including the management of several Umbrella Trust Funds).

The Education Global Practice is led by a Global Director, who has overall responsibility for the practice, together with the Regional Directors (for Human Development) who oversee the human development program in the regions, working with the nine practice managers for regional education units and the practice manager for the Global Engagement and Knowledge Unit.

Education Finance Program. Countries face unprecedented global challenges, requiring new financing sources and mechanisms to close education funding gaps. World economic growth is uncertain. Public debt is a significant concern in developing countries, reaching a record high of $92 trillion (more than five times since 2020). Some countries are paying more for debt servicing than for education. In low-income countries, government debt has risen by 30 percentage points of GDP since 2011, and half of the low-income countries are in or at high risk of debt distress. Many countries are dealing with the shocks of natural disasters. These external factors impact education systems when countries are trying to recover from the impact of COVID-19. Demographic changes and associated financial implications are vital ingredients to factor in for future education policy and planning. Some regions, including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), are projected to increase their school-age population in the following decades. Such increases require more financial resources to expand access and ensure the quality of education. Governments and development partners must explore and establish new financing sources and mechanisms to invest in education in a sustainable manner.

The Education GP launched a new global program on education finance. This programmatic task aims to: (1) deepen insights and identify solutions to frontier issues in education finance and (2) further enhance education analytical and advisory standards of practice and methodologies. The program aims to deepen our understanding of education financing issues by conducting data-intensive global analytical work, including a global report on education financing. The global report will propose and develop (based on solid analytical analysis) a policy framework to guide countries in spending more adequately, efficiently, and equitably and tapping into innovative solutions to increase financing for education. The program will also contribute in-depth insights on education finance globally, introduce additional measures to traditional public financing, and inform the global dialogue on education finance.

The selected candidate will be based in Washington DC and report to the Practice Manager for the Global Engagement and Knowledge (GEAK) Unit.

Duties and Accountabilities

The selected candidate is expected to work on a mix of policy, research, knowledge, and operational tasks. Specifically, s/he will be responsible for, including but not limited to the following:

1)Strategic Leadership of the Education Finance Work program

•Support the education finance core team and the Bank-wide community of practice in education finance.
•Provide intellectual and technical leadership in the field of education finance.
•Position the World Bank as a key player within the global dialogue on education finance, enhancing the Bank's brand and influence in this area.
•Build and maintain strong relationship with internal partners to promote effective collaboration across Global Practices. Additionally, forge partnerships with external stakeholders and draw on external knowledge and expertise.

2)Analytical and technical work

•Lead and/or contribute to cutting-edge global, regional, and country-specific analytical work in education finance, including flagship studies, global reports, and policy briefs. The work will involve (a) reviewing domestic resource mobilization, taxation mechanisms, innovative financing mechanisms, and strategies utilized by governments to finance education; (b) analyzing education spending with a focus on adequacy, efficiency, and equity; and (c) analyzing the financial implications of demographic changes, economic conditions, and other external factors on education systems.
•Lead analytical work on topics related to public financial management for education. This includes developing and managing education budgets; ensuring funds are used for their intended purposes, managing procurement processes, assessing program performance, and implementing financial controls to prevent misuse of funds.
•Develop a toolkit to guide World Bank task team leaders in carrying out Public Finance Reviews (PFRs) for the Education sector. This task includes the critical revision and updating of existing guidelines. Additionally, the Senior Economist will systematically evaluate Public Financel Reviews to extract and compile best practices.

3)Policy Dialogue and Advisory Services

•Provide technical and operational support for World Bank analytical and operational work. The work will involve participation as a member of World Bank missions and join selected discussions and policy dialogue with client representatives to provide technical and operational support for education finance reforms and strategies, including contributions to selected regional and country analytical work as determined in periodic work planning exercises.
•Engage in high-level policy with government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to advocate for effective education finance policies.
•Lead initiatives to enhance the collection, management, and dissemination of education finance data and knowledge within the World Bank and among partners.
•Lead the design and implementation of capacity-building initiatives, including the education finance policy academy (e.g., self-paced, hybrid, and in-person courses), working closely with regional teams and other relevant practices.
•Mentor and support technical staff in deepening their expertise.

4)Collaboration and Partnership

•Collaborate with international partners and other stakeholders to align efforts and share knowledge on education finance.
•Represent the Education GP in various internal and external forums.

Selection Criteria

In addition to the standard World Bank competencies with respect to knowledge, leadership, innovation and results, the following are the selection criteria for the position:
•Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in economics (with a focus on public economics) or other relevant area with a specific focus on the economics of education or education finance.
•A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, including specific work experience gained in a Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, or an international organization. Experience in a research institute or academia is also acceptable if it is combined with some exposure to education finance reforms.
•Strong track record of publications (such as refereed journals) related to education finance or the economics of education, with deep technical knowledge and experience in the analysis, design, development, and evaluation of education finance policies, including impact evaluations and public expenditure reviews.
•Demonstrated combination of analytical rigor and practical and solution-oriented approaches and understanding of the political economy of education reforms in developing countries.
•Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely. Knowledge of other WB official languages would be a plus.
•Track record of leading large teams and delivering complex tasks.
•Experience working in World Bank operations and analytical and advisory services (ASA) is desirable.
•Energy and enthusiasm for community building, learning, knowledge sharing, and mentoring.
•Strong problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to respond quickly and work flexibly on a range of assignments. Ability to juggle numerous competing demands and priorities, respond quickly to management requests, and set priorities for self and others.
•Strong interpersonal skills, client-orientation, diplomatic skills, and proven track record of working effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
•Effective workflow management and organizational skills with capacity to follow up systematically and effectively on a broad set of initiatives and decisions.
•High degree of tact, political awareness, sensitivity, and discretion in dealing with internal and external clients, staff, and managers at all levels, raising challenging questions in a constructive manner and handling confidential and sensitive information.
•Strong proclivity for teamwork, including an open and collegial work style and a high energy level and showing leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and activity seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
•Background in a range of country contexts (regions, income levels, stability/fragility) is highly valued.
•Willingness to travel.

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.

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