Senior Economist Job #: req33685 Organization: IFC Sector: Economics Grade: GG Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Accra,Ghana Required Language(s): English,French Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/18/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC โ a member of the World Bank Group โ 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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low-Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict-affected States (FCS). We aim to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop impactful investment projects. This strategy is, in part, premised on improved country/sector diagnostic, strategic, and public sector engagement capabilities, which seek to: 1) resolve obstacles to private sector growth via diagnostic and strategic work that informs both IFC operations and relevant IBRD/IDA policy operations; and 2) overcome the shortage of investable projects in priority markets by proactively improving the private sector ecosystem at the country and regional level.
The Unit is seeking to recruit seasoned senior economist (G2) to make significant contributions to the analytical and strategy outputs in shaping the operation of the unit, which ranges from the production of macroeconomics reports as well as sector analytics, including country private sector diagnostics (CPSDs) with the view to sharpen reform recommendations to create opportunities for private investment.
We seek a motivated and dynamic professional with strong economic analytical skills, private sector development related policy experience, and team spirit. The position is based in Accra, Ghana.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Economist will work under the general supervision of the manager of Country Advisory and Economics in North, West, and Central Africa to ensure the high-quality diagnostics and advisory delivery. Specifically, he/she will
โข Lead the macroeconomic analysis to support IFC investment operations, including due diligence, to feed into relevant project documents for the clusters covered by IFC Division Director (Cote dโIvoire, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo and Benin) with an economist based in Abidjan.
โข Lead the monitoring of economic and policy conditions and trends for countries in the abovementioned countries, identifying the potential risks to IFC investments, and advising the IFC Division Director, Country Managers, and operational teams on the strategies to mitigate them.
โข Provide intellectual and technical inputs on topics of economic or strategic relevance to IFC and produce or support the production of policy and technical notes, briefs, presentations, and country reports as requested by the senior management.
โข Lead and/or contribute to all the WBG core diagnostics and provide IFC input to WBG Country Engagement products, including Country Partnership Frameworks, Progress and Learning Reviews, and other joint initiatives.
โข Lead and/or contribute to the preparation of IFC Reform Tracker.
โข Lead and/or contribute to knowledge management by facilitating the exchange of expertise and knowledge with the broader IFC Economics VPU and Industries Departments
Selection Criteria
โข Masterโs or Ph.D. degree in economics/international development/ public policy or business/finance, with strong grounding in economics both from academic and practical experience perspective with a minimum of 10+ years
โข Commitment to the WBG and IFCโs mission and values.
โข Strong analytical skills in macroeconomics as well as sector analysis
โข Track record in translating the analyses into policy dialogue and programs to support private sector development.
โข Understanding of IFC project cycles, approval/decision processes, and critical drivers of IFC business decision-making is a plus
โข Knowledge and understanding of key IFC/IDA/IBRD/MIGA products and instruments and how they are deployed to pursue private sector development and country engagements.
โข Ability to cultivate an active network of relationships inside and outside the organization and to represent IFC publicly as needed.
โข Experience in and strong knowledge of the economic context and challenges of the countries mentioned above is a plus.
โข Demonstrated leadership qualities, initiative, and results orientation, with effective teamwork and mentoring skills.
โข Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with high-level stakeholders in English
โข Ability to work in French is a plus.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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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