Economist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank is a global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. Established in 1944, it has grown to include 189 member countries and operates in over 120 offices worldwide. The organization focuses on providing funding and knowledge to developing countries, helping them tackle their most pressing development challenges. The World Bank's mission is to improve living standards and promote economic growth through various projects and initiatives, leveraging data, research, and technology to create impactful solutions.

Job Overview:
The Economist position at the World Bank in Kathmandu, Nepal, is a locally recruited role for a term of three years. The selected candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the World Bank's growing portfolio of advisory and lending projects that focus on private sector development. This position requires collaboration with colleagues in Nepal, Washington DC, and across the Global Practice, with the aim of contributing to financing and lending operations, analytical and advisory services, and policy dialogue related to private and financial sector development. The Economist will be expected to conduct in-depth analyses on various topics, including investment climate, sector development, and financial inclusion, while also linking financial sector development to private sector activities. The role is vital for ensuring high-quality delivery of projects and knowledge engagements in Nepal, ultimately contributing to the region's economic growth and development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Contributing expertise to lending operations, advisory services, and analytical tasks, ensuring high-quality delivery of financing projects and knowledge engagements in Nepal.
• Conducting analysis on private sector development topics such as investment climate, sector development, financial inclusion, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) growth.
• Collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data on financial and private sector issues, preparing technical reports, and supporting the dissemination of analytical products.
• Supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of FCI financing/lending projects and Analytical and Advisory Services (ASAs).
• Collaborating closely with colleagues from FCI, IFC, and other Global Practices, and contributing to integrating private and financial sector perspectives into key strategic documents.
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with government clients, private and financial sector stakeholders, supervisory authorities, and development partners.
• Preparing diverse written outputs, including briefs, analytical notes, and technical working papers, and acting as a liaison between team members in headquarters and the country office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Economics, Finance, Management, Business Administration, or Public Policy. Additionally, they should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in private and financial sector development policy issues, including quantitative analysis. Experience in at least two areas such as investment climate, financial markets enabling environment, firm and market competitiveness, or public-private partnerships is essential. Knowledge of financial sector development is considered an advantage. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality technical analysis and reports efficiently within tight deadlines, and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills in English and Nepali.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in relevant fields such as Economics, Finance, Management, Business Administration, or Public Policy. This advanced education is crucial for understanding complex economic and financial issues and for conducting high-level analyses that inform policy and project decisions.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in private and financial sector development policy issues. This experience should include quantitative analysis and familiarity with the challenges faced by the private sector in Nepal. Proven experience in producing high-quality technical analysis and reports is also essential, along with the ability to manage tasks independently from conception to completion.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with strong proficiency required for effective communication and reporting. Additionally, knowledge of Nepali is essential for building relationships with local stakeholders and government counterparts. Familiarity with other languages may be considered a plus but is not a requirement.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a contract duration of three years. It is a local recruitment position, meaning that candidates must be residents of Nepal or have the legal right to work in the country. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.