Vertical Chief Economist, People Job #: req35322 Organization: World Bank Sector: Economics Grade: GI Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 1/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the worldโs greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative changes around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the World Bankโs central reservoir of fresh insights into the most pressing challenges of development. It is led by the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group, who advises the President and senior managers, serves as the community leader for the WBGโs economists, and helps to keep the institution in the forefront of thinking about development policy. DEC constitutes one of the worldโs largest teams of economists focused on policy solutions for developing economies.
The Chief Economist for People serves as the principal economic adviser within the vertical, reporting directly to the WBG Chief Economist and DEC Senior Vice President, while maintaining a dotted reporting line to the WBG People Vice President. S/he will be accountable for:
โข Coordinating DEC Research, Markets, Data, Indicators and Impact Group services for the vertical.
โข Working with vertical departments and WBG academies to improve economic analysis.
โข Collaborating with vertical departments to scale and replicate successful public and private initiatives and adoption of efficient regulations.
โข Ensure the alignment of the DEC research program with vertical and regional policy priorities.
ย
The vertical chief economist office will be staffed to intermediate knowledge flows between DEC and the vertical, both by bringing the best of DECโs services and products to support the Vertical and ensuring the alignment of DECโs research, markets, and impact programs with the policy priorities of the Vertical.
The WBG People Vice Presidency is responsible for getting the right public and private sector solutions to our operational teams and to our clients, and to produce scalable impact.ย Its mandate is to deliver knowledge for impact to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in support of our mission and specifically: providing guidance on creating more and better jobs; supporting foundational infrastructure and human capital, policy environment, and private sector mobilization; focusing on agribusiness, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism; and support and accelerate specific targets such as M300, Health 1.5bn, and SP 500. The VPUโs objectives in driving outcomes include replicating and scaling effective solutions, enhancing thought leadership and innovation, and delivering timely knowledge to client teams.
While managing a small team of 4-5 staff in the Vertical Chief Economist Office, the Vertical Chief Economist will also assist the DEC Research Director in supervising the policy research program for the vertical. The Vertical Chief Economist will draw on staff across DEC to advance research, development data, and development impact in the vertical.
Duties and accountabilities:ย
โข Advise the Vertical Vice President and leadership team on economic risks and opportunities, drawing on DEC work programs and operational experience.
โข Lead and manage a small team within the Vertical Chief Economist Office, staffed to facilitate work on development data (e.g. Data360), development impact (Learn Adapt and Scale LEADS), and policy indicators (Regulatory Efficiency).
โข Provide quality control and oversight of analytical work in the Vertical.
โข Lead research and flagship reports, in collaboration with DECRG.
โข Assist the DEC Research Director in supervision of DECโs research for the Vertical.
โข Facilitate implementation of impact evaluations and promote evidence-based policy and program design.
โข Collation, quality control, and dissemination of development data in the Vertical.
โข Implementing protocols for global policy indicators in the Vertical.
โข Accountable to the World Bank Group Chief Economist for corporate priorities, policy research, impact evaluation, and development data related to the vertical.
โข Accountable to the Vertical Vice President for quality assurance of economic analysis.
Selection Criteria
โข PhD in economics or public policy with a strong publication record in a subset of one or more themes covered by the People vertical.
โข Demonstrated ability to leverage expertise within and outside the World Bank Group.
โข Track record of published policy research, high-quality analytical work and policy advice.
โข Leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
โข Quality, relevance, and operational impact of analytical work and policy advice.
โข Effectiveness in guiding the research agenda of the DEC research team
โข Contribution to knowledge sharing and capacity building.
โข Engagement with stakeholders and influence policy debates.
โข Effective management and development of the Vertical Chief Economist Office team.
WBG Culture Attributes
โข Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
โข Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
โข Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
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.
Learn more about working at theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.