Economist position is available in the Education sector of World Bank.

Background Information

The World Bank Group serves over 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). The Education Unit for LCR works with client countries – at the regional, sub-regional, national and sub-national levels – to address key education challenges. The unit is seeking candidates who (a) have experience in policy technical dialogue in at least one education sector or other related global practice area (social protection and labor, poverty) with a range of clients particularly with MIC clients; (b) have strong analytical skills and an understanding of the political economy of reforms; and (c) are interested in the practical aspects of World Bank operations. 

The selected candidate will be based in Washington DC and will report to the Education Global Practice Manager for the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the education policy dialogue in early childhood development, basic education or in post-basic education and training in client countries and enhance client capacity to carry out and use economic analysis and impact evaluations in policy and decision making.
• Provide technical contributions to or selectively lead cutting edge knowledge products on a broad range of issues including the reform and strengthening of education systems
• Design and manage economic analyses of education operations, expenditure reviews and other economic and sector work.
• Participate in teams and missions and provide technical contributions to design, prepare, appraise, supervise implementation and evaluate Bank-supported education sector (or multi- sectoral) operations.
• Lead the monitoring and evaluation of education and skills development interventions, with a particular focus on designing and implementing impact evaluations with the greatest strategic value to Bank operations. 
• Make significant contributions to global, regional or sub-regional flagship studies.
• Contribute to the development of new business in the education sector including financial and knowledge products and forge strategic partnerships and alliances to increase the overall value of the Bank program

Qualifications and Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in economics or in the economics of education or social sciences;
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the development field, preferably in education and labor markets and skills issues, or as a labor or poverty economist, and knowledge of and experience in impact evaluation methods and implementation.
• Strong analytical skills, excellent microeconomic skills (education, labor economics) along with a deep understanding of issues in public finance.
• Strong technical leadership skills and knowledge as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and/or Economic and Sector Work in developing countries. Ability to convey complex technical ideas to a non-specialist audience.
• Demonstrated combination of analytical rigor and practical and solution oriented approaches; understanding of the political economy of education reform.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish are essential. Fluency in Portuguese and French desirable. Strong in written and oral expression, including public presentation.
• Strong client orientation and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively within and across institutional boundaries, inspire commitment to excellence and teamwork, and to liaise tactfully as member of a multicultural team.