Job #:Req29498Organization:World BankSector:MacroeconomicsGrade:GHTerm Duration:4 years 0 monthsRecruitment Type:International RecruitmentLocation:Brussels,BelgiumRequired Language(s):Preferred Language(s):Closing Date:10/14/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTCDescriptionWorking at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.Worldbank.Org.The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) RegionThe Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. The Region is at the forefront of innovation in development such as climate change, digital technology, and other global public goods.The ECA region faces multiple challenges today from climate change, demographics, slowdown in jobs growth and productivity, inequality, and war and natural disasters. These major challenges serve to re-emphasize the critical importance of ECA’s strategic focus on: (i) boosting human capital – addressing inclusion, resilience, quality of delivery and next generation human capital challenges, (ii) enabling markets and boosting growth– supporting the private sector to compete in a knowledge-intensive global economy, (iii) green transition - innovative knowledge and financing engagements to decarbonize, build resilience and support a just transition and (iv) building & strengthening institutions - supporting the quality of spending, improving debt management, and enhancing service delivery. https://www.Worldbank.Org/en/region/ecaProsperity in ECAThe Prosperity Practice Group is one of the World Bank Group’s five verticals. Prosperity supports clients in advancing macroeconomic, governance, and structural reforms, attract private investments, and strengthen governance to promote inclusive and sustainable growth on a livable planet.The diversity of countries covered in the Region offers exciting opportunities for staff. In FY24, Prosperity delivered a total of $5.2B in IBRD/IDA financing and an additional $1.5B in co-led operations. Apart from lending, Prosperity also generates knowledge through various advisory and analytical work, some of which is financed as Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) and Trust Funds. In FY24 alone, Prosperity delivered 89 ASA activities.The Lead Economist and Program Leader will work on the European Union program, based in Brussels where the Country Director is located. The EU program is very dynamic and includes innovative lending and cutting-edge analytical work. Prosperity-led work contributes significantly to the EU’s knowledge spillovers to other parts of the WBG. It provides an exceptional opportunity for the PL to contribute to the strategic directions for Prosperity, enhance development impact, and be at the frontier of our program engagement.Duties and AccountabilitiesThe Program Leader will report to the Prosperity Regional Director and will be expected to have the following duties and responsibilities:- Provide thought leadership on core economic policy issues and strategic engagement, working closely with the CD and Prosperity team.- Establish close relationships with the government counterparts and support the CD in developing new business for the Bank, aligned with the CMU’s and PG’s selectivity filters especially for RAS engagements.- Serve as the focal point on macroeconomic, governance, poverty/equity and private/financial sector issues with clients and other external stakeholders, in consultation with the CD.- Lead the coordination, collaboration and business development with the European Commission and other relevant institutions in Brussels in areas covered by Prosperity.- Lead and/or advise Prosperity teams on lending and nonlending tasks relating to economic policy and institutional reforms and help ensure high quality of outputs.- Work closely with other GPs on the preparation of key strategic pieces and/or engagements.- Support the analytical work program of the CMU, including the preparation of CPFs, CPSDs, CCDRs, and other key strategic pieces.- Contribute to the promotion of knowledge spillovers of Prosperity work in the EU to other parts of the world.- Mentor and coach Prosperity colleagues working on the delivery of the Practice Group’s work program.- Proactively contribute to Prosperity and CMU management, representing Prosperity within the country management team and contributing to the Prosperity regional management team.- Coordinate Prosperity inputs into strategy, WPA, and reporting processes.- Provide strategic, process, and quality inputs into the overall Prosperity program where appropriate.Selection Criteria- Ph.D. or Master’s in economics with at least twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience.- Demonstrated track record of technical and operational leadership in other countries.- Strong macroeconomics skills.- Demonstrated track record in achieving impact through analytical work and technical assistance for demanding and sophisticated clients.- Ability to develop integrative development solutions and advise on Bank strategic interventions.- Demonstrated ability to integrate Prosperity inputs as well as other PG/GP and IFC/MIGA inputs into an inclusive development framework.- In-depth knowledge of WBG financing operations, instruments, as well as analytical and advisory services.- Demonstrated client orientation; ability to tap emergingopportunities, engage diplomatically while maintaining candor and courage of conviction, and delivering beyond client expectations.- Proven experience in leading high-impact development policy and/or investment operations.- Demonstrated leadership in teamwork, in working across practices and disciplinary boundaries.- High, positive energy, self-driven professional.- Strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex analyses to non-specialist audiences.- Agility in working flexibly on a range of assignments and adjusting to a variety of complex and rapidly evolving tasks under tight deadlines.World Bank Group Core CompetenciesThe World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.