Research Analyst

• Job #130024
• Job TitleResearch Analyst
• Job FamilyPublic Sector Management
• Job TypeProfessional & Technical
• GradeGE
• LocationDhaka, Bangladesh
• Recruitment TypeLocal Hire
• Language RequirementBangla [Essential]; English [Essential]
• Closing Date25-Jan-2013

Background / General description:
This is a country office position in Bangladesh subject to local recruitment under the Bangladesh compensation plan. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. The Bangladesh program is one of the World Bank’s largest IDA-only (soft loan) portfolios and is diversified across many sectors. It is implemented in a complex country context with challenging cross-cutting issues such as governance, climate change and large infrastructure gaps. A results based Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) has been developed for Bangladesh for 2011-14 focusing on transformative investments for economic growth, increased resilience to climate change, improved human development and social protection, and strengthened mechanisms for domestic accountability. The Bangladesh portfolio includes gross commitments of $1.6 billion with major programs in education, health, social protection, infrastructure, community driven development, water management, environment, and local governance. There is also an active dialogue on macroeconomic management, good governance and fiduciary improvements. Trust fund support plays a significant role. The Strengthening Public Expenditure Management Program (SPEMP) is supported by a multi-donor trust fund (MDTF) and currently under active implementation in Bangladesh. The overarching objectives of the SPEMP are to (a) strengthen and modernize core institutions of budgeting within the government with particular emphasis on introducing a Medium Term Budget Framework (MTBF), an integrated budget and accounting system and training and capacity building of government staff in Public Financial Management (PFM); and (b) enhance demand for better budget outcomes by improving the effectiveness of formal institutions of financial accountability, in particular the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office and the Financial Oversight Committees of the Parliament. With less than two years left of the SPEMP program, there is increasing attention on accelerating implementation and delivering agreed results. Management and supervision of the program is therefore being strengthened and focused on removing implementation bottlenecks and facilitating swift and coordinated decision-making across stakeholders and sub-components. At the same time, the task team is preparing two new projects in support of Strategic Planning and Public Investment Management as well as an ambitious analytical work program in support of SPEMP. The Research Analyst will serve as part of the South Asia Governance & Public Sector Unit for the Bangladesh program, reporting to the Sector Manager based in New Delhi, India. For administrative purposes, he/she will report directly to the Administrator of the SPEMP MDTF based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The duration of the assignment is two years with possible extension based on business needs and performance of the candidate. 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 2 year term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Given the size and complexity of SPEMP and the need for continuous analytical support and research, a full time research analyst is required for the SPEMP Secretariat. The Research Analyst will contribute to the entire analytical support agenda of SPEMP including the supervision of consultancies such as the Citizens’ Component, Strategic Planning & Public Investment Management and analytical work on other analytical products of SPEMP and PFM in general. The research analyst will also carry out research to the government executed projects under the program. The Research Analyst shall carry out the following tasks: • Contribute to the supervision of Bank executed technical assistance (TA) projects to strengthen strategic planning and Public Investment Management (PIM), activities under SPEMP Citizens’ Component (SPEMPCC) and the regular supervision of activities under the Deepening Medium-Term Budget Framework ( DMTBF)-project. • Provide regular research and analytical support to all analytical and research products of SPEMP and other PFM analytical work carried out by the Bank. • Assist the SPEMP team in analytical, research and reporting roles as entailed by the program and its publications. • Provide support as and when needed to other analytical work under the Governance program. • Provide cross support to other sectors within the Bank in relevant areas of PFM. • Contributions to progress reports, financial reporting and analysis.
Selection Criteria:
COMPETENCIES • Tasks and Workflow Management - Has excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to take responsibility for all aspects of coordination of the workflow of assigned responsibilities. • Statistical Knowledge and Experience - Demonstrates use of this competency. • Data Collection and Management - Demonstrates use of this competency. • Data Interpretation and Analysis - Demonstrates use of this competency. • Written and Verbal Communication - Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup. • Client Orientation - Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success. • Drive for Results - Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so. • Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view. • Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner. • Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work . OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA: Qualifications: • Minimum Education: MA/MS in Economics/ Finance/ Business Administration/ Public Policy/ or a related field, from a recognized university. • Minimum Experience: two (2) years of professional experience in the fields of research and operations. Previous work experience in public financial management would be an advantage. Skills: • Basic technical knowledge in the area of public financial management. • Demonstrated willingness to tackle unexpected problems in project and client relationship. • Ability to work under pressure. • Ability to learn quickly and the capacity to work simultaneously and effectively on a variety of tasks. • Excellent communication skills in English and Bangla with demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely in English; • Ability to function effectively in a multi-cultural setting.

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