The East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist (EAPCE) Research Center is looking for a strong Research Economist based out of the World Bank Group Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Malaysia. The goal for the Center is to become a center of intellectual leadership on economic development of regional and global significance. It has three main mandates: to produce original research on development economics, to contribute to policy analysis and dialogue around the world, and to promote a community of researchers in Malaysia, neighboring countries, and East Asia in general. The Center is integrated with the World Bank Chief Economist Unit of the East Asia and Pacific region (EAPCE). This collaboration enhances the group’s ability to fulfill its goal and mandates by benefiting from synergies between researchers in Kuala Lumpur, the EAP region, and Washington, DC.
Roles and Responsibilities
The economist will be part of the EAPCE Research Center team, working with other colleagues and under the supervision of the Chief Economist to carry out the following tasks:
Conduct cutting-edge research on topics relevant to Malaysia and the region published as papers in peer-reviewed journals, specialized flagship reports, and research policy briefs;
Contribute to the preparation of the biannual EAP Economic Update as well as just-in-time analysis requested by the EAP Chief Economist Office;
Contribute analytical inputs to selected knowledge products or lending operations led by staff in the Global Practices, the Cross-Cutting Solution Areas, or the CMUs in EAP countries;
Engage with researchers, policy makers, think tanks and civil society representatives in EAP countries to support the exchange of knowledge;
Disseminate original work through participation in conferences, workshops and seminars;
Conduct workshops and courses to train government official and graduate students in Malaysia and the region;
Provide due diligence comments and other forms of quality assurance on key country-level, regional and global/corporate products – both ASA and selected operational documents – and represent the region, as needed, at review meetings;
The selected candidate will report to the EAP Chief Economist based in Washington, DC.
Selection Criteria
The team is looking for an innovative, high-performing and energetic professional who meets the following criteria:
Master’s Degree in Economics or Finance (PhD preferred);
Minimum 5 years of substantive and sustained work experience conducting economics research; time spent in active dissertation research can be counted towards this experience
A track record of policy relevant research as demonstrated, for example, by publications in peer-reviewed journals; or a pipeline of research
Excellent understanding of the latest statistical/econometric methods and fluency in working with statistical packages such as STATA or/and R;
Excellent analytical, writing, and people skills;
Fluency in English;
Strong client orientation, ability to work effectively and collaboratively with multiple disciplines and operational staff;
Demonstrated skills working as part of a team and exhibiting team leadership, as needed.
Broad research experience in Finance, Banking and Sustainable and Islamic Finance will be considered an advantage.
