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.
The Global Practice for Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (MTI)
The MTI Global Practice leads the World Bank Group’s dialogue and engagement with clients in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, trade, competition and investment. MTI links the macroeconomic dialogue with programs focused on expanding the role of the private sector in economic development. In our day-to-day engagement with countries, we support Ministries of Finance, Trade, Economy and Production in their pursuit of reform agendas conducive to strengthening inclusive growth led by the private sector.
South Africa Country Engagement and MTI Team
South Africa’s size and ties to the region underscore the importance of its economic, political, and social development to the stability and growth of Eastern and Southern Africa. South Africa’s political transition is known as one of the most remarkable political feats of the past century. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) had driven the policy agenda since 1994, though recent elections have become more contested, illustrated by coalition politics, particularly in metropolitan areas.
Since 2019, the Government of South Africa has embarked on a new socio-economic transformation program to restore macroeconomic stability, accelerate growth, and make growth more inclusive. In line with the Government priorities, the FY22-FY26 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) aims to help South Africa continue to tackle its apartheid legacy of exclusion, complicated by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The South Africa CPF marks a deeper and growing World Bank Group’s engagement in the country.
The MTI team plays a key role in supporting the government in identifying solutions so that South Africa can break away from its current low-level equilibrium of modest growth, high unemployment, and one of the highest inequality levels in the world. Considering the legacy of apartheid, a unique feature of South Africa is its dichotomous structure, with an advanced urban economy coexisting with a rudimentary one comprised of townships and informal settlements. While boosting the potential of the advanced economy is essential, on its own, this will not deliver inclusive growth unless the township economy develops. Achieving impact requires a robust policy dialogue at both the national and sub-national levels.
As Senior Country Economist, you will lead or co-lead the policy dialogue on macro-fiscal, growth, trade, and investment issues, working closely with the Country Director, and supporting the MTI policy dialogue in Southern Africa. The MTI team based in South Africa is comprised of a Lead Economist, a Senior Economist, and a Country Economist. The MTI program in Southern Africa includes lending operations including Development Policy Operations, technical assistance, and highly visible analytics and economic surveillance work, including regional flagships.
We are looking for a skilled and energetic Senior Country Economist who is passionate about tackling complex development challenges, comfortable working in a fluid operating environment, has technical breadth and depth, with strong results and integrative orientation, and effective policy dialogue skills.
Duties and Accountabilities
Lead or contribute to MTI core deliverables including Development Policy Operations and other lending operations, core advisory services and analytics (ASAs) including Country Economic Memorandums (CEMs), Public Expenditure Reviews (PERs), Regional Flagships, and policy notes and technical notes on a wide range of issues. These include fiscal policy, domestic revenue mobilization, natural resources revenue management, economic diversification, public investment management, economic transformation and jobs, and fiscal decentralization.
Lead or participate in the design, preparation and dissemination of analytical economic work and reporting, including bi-annual economic updates, macroeconomic modelling/forecasting, ASAs and various briefs;
Lead and coordinate the policy dialogue on macroeconomic and fiscal policy and economic growth issues with the authorities, with the IMF and economic departments of other development agencies and non-government stakeholders
Where relevant, advise sector teams and government authorities on the macroeconomic implications of sector policies and investment decisions, including in the selection and execution of public investments;
Provide analytical inputs for and advise the Country Management Unit (CMU) on country strategic engagement and economic policy issues, including through active participation in key review meetings;
Support the analytical work program of the Country Management Unit (CMU), including the preparation of Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCDs), Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs);
Support the Practice Manager and the GP with corporate demands, quality control of deliverables, and the preparation of ad-hoc briefs;
Contribute to the interpretation of analytical findings, formulation of key messages, and identification of policy implications and recommendations that are supported by the evidence;
Contribute to the drafting of presentations, memos, reports, notes, blogs, and analytical findings as per business needs
Selection Criteria
At least Masters degree in Economics and 8 years of relevant experience.
General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses Cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools.
Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.
Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.
Integrative Skills – Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.
Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience - Able to translate technical analyses of macroeconomic, debt, trade, fiscal policy, and growth linkages into policy recommendations and cross-country lessons.
Written and Verbal Communication - Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff and managers).
