Lead Economist and Sector Leader, PREM

• Job #122869
• Job TitleLead Economist and Sector Leader, PREM
• Job FamilyEconomic Policy
• Job TypeProfessional & Technical
• GradeGH
• LocationTo Be Determined
• Recruitment TypeInternational Hire
• Language RequirementEnglish [Essential]; Spanish [Essential]
• Closing Date15-Jan-2013

Background / General description:
The Latin America and the Caribbean Region’s Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) Sector Management Unit (SMU) and the Country Management Unit (CMU) responsible for Bank operations in Mexico and Colombia (LCC1) are seeking a PREM Sector Leader and Lead Economist (SL/LE). This position would be based either in Washington DC or Mexico City. The decision between these two locations would be made jointly by the region and the selected candidate. Applicants are requested to clearly indicate in their applications whether they have a preference for either location or whether one of the two possible locations is not feasible and, if so, which of them. The SL/LE is a member of the Sector Management Team for PREM (composed of the SMU Director, Sector Managers, and Lead Economists PREM Sector Leaders) as well as part of the CMU Management Team (composed of the CMU Director, Sector Leaders -- one for each network, the Colombia Country Manager, and the Sr. Country Officer and Communications Officer). The position is mapped to LCSPR. The LC1 Country Management unit (CMU) is responsible for Bank operations in Mexico and Colombia. The Country Director is based in Mexico City with a Country Office in Colombia and a small ‘anchor’ in Washington. The two country offices have a total staff of about 75 people. Mexico and Colombia have a large and innovative IBRD financial services portfolio, knowledge, and convening services engagements, including fee-based. Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The SL/LE acts as the CMU Director's economic advisor on the country policy dialogue and on the design and implementation of Country Assistance Strategies (CASs), policy-based lending operations, and analytical work. The SL/LE is responsible for coordinating, in collaboration with the corresponding sector managers, the team of Country Economists and Country Analysts, both at Headquarters and in the Country Offices; works closely with all country teams providing advice on PREM issues and country strategies; and will have quality-control and oversight responsibility (strategic design, output quality, dissemination strategies and evaluation) for programmatic knowledge services (AAA, ESW, NLTA, fee-based services, etc) for the two countries, as well as other knowledge management activities – as delegated by the Country Director. On financial services, the SL/LE contributes to ensuring the economic justification, strategic relevance, sustainability, design, delivery and quality of operations. The SL/LE takes the lead in the interface with the IMF, the IDB (Economic Policy) and the Banks Finance Complex, and in establishing partnerships with other local, regional and international institutions. The SL/LE is a principal contributor to Senior Management and Board briefings. The SL/LE shares responsibility for the development and implementation of the PREM work program in Mexico and Colombia, covering economic policy; public sector management; poverty, equity, and gender issues. In this capacity, the SL/LE plays a lead role in client relations, the policy dialogue on PREM issues, program and portfolio management, formulation of the PREM Work Program Agreements (WPA), including advising on the formation of task teams to deliver agreed outputs, and managing program and priority changes during the year and quality assurance related to outputs and impact. The SL/LE works closely with task teams on substantive issues, troubleshoots influences, identifies and addresses cutting edge issues, bottlenecks and best practices, and generally provides guidance on operational and strategic matters. The SL/LE will be responsible for the interface (integration, consistency, and coherence) of the PREM WPAs with WPAs formulated for non-PREM sectors. As a member of the LCR PREM Management Team, the SL/LE participates in the general knowledge management and quality enhancement functions of LCR PREM. The SL/LE works closely with the Sector Managers to put together task teams to deliver country work programs, to ensure the timeliness and quality of contracted PREM tasks, and to support the PREM management team in addressing issues regarding skills mix, performance evaluation, monitoring budgets and deliverables and in articulating the PREM strategy to support Regional and Bank-wide Corporate priorities. As a senior member of PREM, the SL/LE will also participate in and contribute to PREM management team activities, departmental retreats, regional research, economic studies, and relations with the PREM Sector Boards and Thematic Groups. As a member of the LCR Regional Leadership Team (RLT), the SL/LE is expected to contribute to Regional activities and participate in RLT meetings and retreats. The SL/LE is expected to lead or substantively participate in selected tasks including knowledge services and financial products for about 50 percent of her/his time.
Selection Criteria:
Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in a PREM relevant discipline such as Economics, Public Policy or Public Sector and 10 years of relevant work experience; *Demonstrated effectiveness in conducting policy dialogue on policy issues with senior government officials, the private sector, donor representatives and civil society; *Familiarity with Bank operations; *Demonstrated ability to integrate micro and sectoral issues with the macroeconomic framework; *Ability to gain the trust and respect of country counterparts, while maintaining objectivity and clear focus on the Bank's mission; *Ability to develop and mentor staff through an interaction that is dynamic and proactive; *Ability to enhance the quality of Bank products through early guidance, constructive feedback, encouraging innovation and risk taking, and establishing links with other networks and relevant partners; *Excellent written and verbal communications skills to be an effective Bank spokesperson in a range of forums, including effective communication across distances using VC and audio; *Proven ability to lead, but equally important to work in teams; * Ability to inspire staff commitment to technical excellence and teamwork, and resolve conflicts constructively, remaining calm and having a good sense of humor under pressure thus demonstrating skills in crisis management; *Ability to juggle numerous competing demands and priorities, respond quickly to country and management requests, and set priorities for self and others; *Credibility with the policy community in the Bank Group, and internationally. Selected Competencies: *Possesses a track record of intellectual leadership and ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and specific micro/sector fields of expertise; provides quality assurance and assesses technical soundness of work/reports. *Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Influences the design and execution of major policy and/or research initiatives; conceives and promotes innovations in development policies, project design, organization and management to improve operational and sector work. *Integrative Skills - Possesses in-depth understanding of Bank resources in all areas of work in the network, and proven fungibility. *Has strong record of task leadership of complex financial services, major reports or other published work relating to PREM issues. *Demonstrates a strong command of all forms of communication and delivers messages in a consistently effective, timely and engaging manner *Ability to act as a facilitator for the sector teams and country units, as well as with clients, promoting integrated development solutions. *Client Orientation - Translates insight into practice across disciplines, hierarchies, geographies and organizational units in service of clients. *Ensures successful implementation and delivery of key programs and projects, ensuring that outputs positively impact results. *Serves as a trusted advisor to others on their decisions, ensuring alignment across units and optimal impact on the organization as a whole. Applicants should include, as part of their application, a list of publications and other written work of which they are the primary author. Please note that the generic criteria for promotion to level GH will apply to current level GG applicants. For more information, please visit the Networks website (http: networks).

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