Senior Economist - Development Impact Measurement

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group and is recognized as the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Established to promote sustainable economic growth, IFC operates in over 100 countries, leveraging its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. The organization's mission is to harness the power of the private sector to eradicate extreme poverty and enhance shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information about IFC's initiatives and impact, visit their official website at www.ifc.org.

Job Overview:
The Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI) within the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency (CED) is tasked with developing methodologies and assessing the development impact of IFC investments. This role involves implementing the ex-ante development impact framework, known as the Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring system (AIMM), measuring development impact throughout the investment project lifecycle, conducting ex-post empirical evaluations, and collaborating with the global impact investing community. The Senior Economist will play a crucial role in helping IFC develop, implement, and estimate the jobs created and supported by its operations, which is a key metric in IFC’s Vision 2030 strategy. The selected candidate will work closely with colleagues in the World Bank Group (WBG) and IFC to refine existing estimation approaches, adapt to new methodologies, and ensure timely and accurate assessments of job creation impacts. This position requires a motivated and dynamic professional with exceptional econometric and modeling skills, as well as a proven track record of managing processes and collaborating across teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Economist will have a range of specific duties and responsibilities, including leading the estimation of direct, indirect, and induced employment effects using input-output models at both aggregate and granular levels. This includes reviewing and adapting the existing IFC jobs model to report on the 'More and Better Jobs' indicator in the WBG scorecard, calibrating current models based on historical data, conducting sensitivity analyses, and identifying job multipliers and value-added contributions across sectors. The role also involves coordinating estimations with other economists, leading quality control processes, and developing standardized reporting on jobs estimates for IFC. Additionally, the Senior Economist will participate in designing new impact evaluations, support ongoing evaluations, and ensure adherence to impact evaluation protocols. The candidate will also be responsible for data cleaning and analysis, contributing to impact evaluation reports, and delivering training on impact evaluation for various stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD in economics, Data Science, or Statistics, along with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in supporting results measurement for private sector operations. Proven expertise in input-output modeling, CGE modeling, or related macroeconomic simulation tools is essential, particularly in the context of employment and labor market analysis. Experience in labor market analysis and job estimation frameworks related to investments and value chain analysis is also required. A demonstrated track record of working with macro-economic and sectoral data, as well as analytical tools and models, is crucial for conducting economic analyses and producing user-friendly written outputs. Familiarity with modeling frameworks to assess employment effects in emerging and developing economies is a strong advantage, as is the ability to work with limited data environments to generate robust insights. Experience in applied research, including jobs modeling and impact evaluations, is preferred, and prior experience working with private sector clients is a plus.

Educational Background:
A PhD in economics, Data Science, or Statistics is required for this position. This advanced educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to perform complex econometric analyses and contribute effectively to the development impact measurement initiatives at IFC.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 10 years of relevant experience in the field of economics, particularly in supporting results measurement for private sector operations. This experience should include a strong focus on econometric modeling, labor market analysis, and the application of macroeconomic simulation tools. Candidates with a background in applied research, especially in jobs modeling and impact evaluations, will be highly regarded. Experience working with research institutions or development organizations is also beneficial, as it demonstrates familiarity with the challenges and methodologies relevant to assessing the employment effects of private sector investments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is crucial for collaboration and reporting. Knowledge of additional languages is preferred, as it can enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to international projects.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a contract duration of 3 years. It involves international recruitment, indicating that candidates from various countries are encouraged to apply. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life, and disability insurance, as well as paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and without discrimination based on gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.