Economist

Economist Job #: req35354 Organization: World Bank Sector: Economics Grade: GF Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Skopje,Republic of North Macedonia Required Language(s): English, Macedonian Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 2/2/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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.

Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region:The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse, predominantly middle-income countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. ECA countries face structural and legacy issues, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependence on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and, in many instances, aging populations. Recent shocks (COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, weather shocks and natural disaster) have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards.   The World Bank Group is working closely with client countries in the region to address these issues, with increasing focus on productivity growth and job creation, energy security and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, and physical and digital connectivity. The region has a strong lending pipeline and a large portfolio of projects spanning a number of sectors. In addition, knowledge is critical to the Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca
Economic Policy
The Economic Policy (EP) Practice leads the World Bank Group’s dialogue and engagement with clients in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, debt, growth and trade.  EP links the macroeconomic dialogue with programs focused on expanding the role of the private sector in economic development. For more information, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/economicpolicy

The Practice houses the Bank’s country economists as well as professional staff with expertise in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, growth, debt and trade. EP professionals most often work across sectors helping carry out key integrative functions.  In this context, EP professionals are responsible for the preparation and delivery of the majority of the Bank’s Development Policy Operations using both IDA and IBRD resources.  EP professionals also lead or participate in a wide variety of client advisory work requiring an integrative function that adds to the core EP expertise, often leading or participating in the preparation of key analytical reports. Country Management Unit (CMU) Context
The Western Balkans CMU oversees the operational engagement of the World Bank in all six Western Balkan states. The EP work program is diverse and includes macroeconomic, fiscal and structural reform dialogue based on Country Jobs and Growth Reports (CGJRs), Public Finance Reviews (PFRs), spending reviews, policy notes, lending, and advisory services. The regional economic work has been largely driven by the Western Balkans Regular Economic Report, the Western Balkans Country Climate and Development Report as well as policy reforms and institutional capacity building in the areas relevant for EU accession in which the World Bank has comparative advantage.
North Macedonia Country Program
The ongoing WBG program in North Macedonia is being implemented under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2024–2028. The CPF rests on the following three objective areas: (i) improving public service delivery; (ii) more productive private sector jobs; and (iii) increased environmental and climate resilience. North Macedonia aspires to European Union membership and recently became the first country to receive pre-financing under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans to support the implementation of the Reform Agenda and the commitments North Macedonia has undertaken. Economic growth in the country accelerated in the first semester of 2025, reaching 3.2 percent, supported primarily by domestic demand, and robust activity in the services and construction sectors. On the fiscal front, both deficit and debt remain above the fiscal rules set in 2022. Support provided during recent crises (2020-2023) has strained public finances, increased the fiscal deficit, and pushed public debt, exceeding the fiscal rule. The Revised Fiscal Strategy 2026-30 outlines a path to gradual consolidation adhering to deficit rules. Stabilizing public finances will require spending consolidation and revenue mobilization. Restoring fiscal sustainability and creating conditions for stronger growth are essential for maintaining a positive outlook in the medium-to-long term.
The EP Practice in ECA is seeking an outstanding and dynamic Economist to work primarily on North Macedonia with proven and strong macroeconomic, integrative and teamwork skills. The selected candidate will participate in and lead core integrative EP tasks in North Macedonia and, as needed, in other countries in the unit. The Economist will also work to develop new engagements for the unit and collaborate extensively with other sectoral teams.  
Role and Responsibilities
• Lead and contribute to the policy dialogue with the authorities in North Macedonia, including, but not limited to, development policy financing in close collaboration with the CMU and the Senior Economist.
• Contribute to analytical and advisory products to underpin the policy dialogue on macroeconomic and structural reforms.
• Lead country-specific macroeconomic monitoring activities and provide inputs as needed to corporate briefs and for due diligence on macro issues.
• Take part in lending and or analytical and advisory activities for other countries in this unit, as needed.
• Engage in policy dialogue with internal and external stakeholders, in close collaboration with the CMU(s);
• Work closely with other GPs (within the Prosperity PG as well as Planet and People) on the preparation of key strategic and integrative pieces and/or engagements.

Selection Criteria

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Economics with five years of relevant professional experience (a completed PhD is treated as equivalent to 3 years of relevant professional experience); 
• Strong technical skills on macroeconomic and growth issues and a proven track record in delivering high quality and technically sophisticated analytical work, with particular focus on fiscal policy (including tax policy, public expenditure, and public financial management) at the national and subnational level;
• Advanced technical skills in economic modelling and data analysis to inform economic monitoring and policy analysis; 
• Operational and policy dialogue skills, as evidenced by a proven work history;
• Integrative skills in order to support the CMU in articulating its strategic thinking on macroeconomic issues, economic growth and poverty reduction and to articulate a coherent policy dialogue with the authorities;
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, and teamwork qualities, and ability to work effectively across sectors;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and to present ideas clearly and concisely with authorities;  • Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet deadlines;
• High energy and demonstrated interest in achieving impact through analytical work and technical assistance for demanding and sophisticated clients. Previous experience in delivering high impact work in a country under economic transformation would be a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for 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.

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