IFC — a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in a sustainable way. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The IFC 2030 strategy aims to mobilize private capital at scale to generate more and better jobs, particularly in emerging markets. It is anchored in four transformative pillars: (i) Enhanced Origination and Mobilization by enhancing IFC’s role as a distribution platform to attract institutional investors; (ii) New Approach to Equity, the scarcest form of capital in emerging markets yet the most powerful for business growth, innovation, and job creation, by adopting a bold new approach to equity investment with greater specialization, strategic platforms, and taking more calculated risks; (iii) Revamped Support for MSMEs by continuing to work with financial institutions while diversifying its approach to include direct investments in promising medium-sized firm and supporting digital platforms that provide supply chain financing and connect MSMEs to markets; and (iv) Different Ways of Working and New Skills by revamping internal operations, cultivating specialized skills, managing risks better, and fostering cross-World Bank Group collaboration. Collectively, these shifts position IFC to scale its development impact in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The Country Advisory and Economics Unit of the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MCT) region (CMCAE) supports the IFC business by: (i) developing diagnostics and supporting targeted reforms that help remove market barriers; (ii) providing direct support to operational teams and country units; and (iii) leveraging coordination across the WBG.
The Unit is seeking to recruit a Senior Economist to be based in Amman, Jordan and reporting to the CMCAE manager. The Senior Economist shall be a motivated and dynamic professional, with exceptional analytical skills; policy-relevant experience; expertise in private sector development and applied research; a track record of publications; and proven skills as team player and aggregator. The role will focus on the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan but will have the flexibility to expand to other countries in the MCT region if needed.
Responsibilities:
- Identify and develop real-time analytics leveraging economic modelling, firm-level data, and sector-specific indicators—to create markets and help shape business strategies.
- Provide timely and quality input to IFC investment projects on country/regional context, macro/market analysis, policy issues, strategic fit, key risks, and other analysis during the full project life cycle, especially on high-risk projects. Provide timely and quality input to corporate requests such as briefs, board papers and updates.
- Contribute to business development by providing investment and upstream/advisory teams with customized, up-to-date research, such as macro/market updates, assessments of regional-global trends and/or analysis of real-time issues, etc.
- Provide analytical support and advice to CMCAE project teams to identify and deliver actionable reforms that can open private sector opportunities and support IFC industries.
- Lead or support preparation of Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs), Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF) and Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDR) etc., in selected countries, including: (i) coordinating with regional and industry colleagues and WB’s counterparts to select strategic sectors; (ii) designing and leading data collection and analysis; and (iii) identifying/developing deep dives.
- Focal point for coordination/collaboration between IFC, IBRD and MIGA. This includes: (i) contributing as co-TTLs and focal points to strategic country engagement products (CPFs, CCDRs, etc.), to help frame a consistent WBG agenda in MCT countries; (ii) providing inputs to country/sector analysis; (ii) coordinating and contributing to policy dialogue and IBRD lending programs (DPOs, IPFs, and P4Rs) to ensure that key private sector reforms are considered, using the reform rosters (policy matrices) that are under development to support this purpose.
- Ensure analytical alignment between diagnostics and expected development outcomes, leveraging IFC’s results framework, AIMM assessments, and the WBG Scorecard.
- Work closely with WBG’s global economics and industry teams, to (i) coordinate diagnostics (i.e., macroeconomics assessments, investment trend updates, etc.); (ii) jointly develop flagship studies (i.e., climate-related policies and impacts, decarbonization, new technologies, etc.); and (iii) ensure a consistent IFC’s position on global/country/market issues/trends.
- Provide front-office support to the Division Director and the Vice-President of the MCT Region including: (i) preparing analytics and updates on countries’ economies and selected markets; and (ii) in collaboration with the communication team, preparing briefing and talking points for key meetings and events (conferences, interviews, blogs etc.).
- Facilitate consultations with various stakeholders including other development finance institutions, civil society and enterprise sector.
- Mentor junior colleagues and provide quality control of strategic and analytical work, as well as operational projects.
- Contribute to public knowledge by authoring or co-authoring blogs, working papers, or flagship publications on key private sector development topics.
Selection Criteria :
- PhD in Economics with minimum 8 years of experience or Master's degree with a minimum of 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- A track record of excellence in research and analytics, including published research.
- Proven expertise in both macro- and micro-level issues; that is, in addition to typical macroeconomic diagnostics and public sector analysis, the ideal candidate shall have solid expertise in private sector policies and market issues, as well as experience in private sector diagnostics and/or sector/market analysis.
- Expertise in a specific thematic area (private sector regulations, climate policies, etc.) and sector (finance, infrastructure, etc.) will be considered a plus.
- Experience with economic models, financial models, or econometrics approaches is desirable.
- Ability to understand how the macroeconomic framework and trends at global/regional/country level produce impacts at the micro-level, e.g., on financial flows, private investments, and risks/opportunities within specific sectors and markets.
- Strong understanding of the interdependence between various sectors of an economy.
- Ability to translate economic and policy analysis into country and sector strategies/programs/reforms.
- Experience with policy dialogue, lending operations (including policy-based and investment lending) and delivering programs and solutions to clients.
- Familiarity with WBG country engagement process; experience in leading/contributing to WBG analytical work such as CPSDs, CCDRs, CPFs will be considered a plus.
- Strong writing skills, including the ability to write quickly and concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner.
- Strong communication skills, including ability to interact with internal stakeholders within the WBG and IFC’s client countries, and participate in programs/initiatives in collaboration with the WB/MIGA/external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills; proven ability to work effectively as a team leader and team member, build and maintain relationships with colleagues, manage junior staff and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
- Proven ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, adjust to changes in schedule and priorities, and juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently.
