Research Analyst

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it’s needed most. In FY16, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Economics and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency (CEDVP) is responsible for identifying and delivering on private sector diagnostic needs, drawing on resources across the WBG, to grow IFC’s capacity to present private sector perspectives in SCD/CPF and country strategies; developing sector economic analyses and an ex ante project assessment framework to help guide project selection, complementing our expertise in supporting and monitoring project implementation; as well as identifying and strategically driving policy engagements that create and grow new markets for the private sector. The Vice Presidency is comprised by: i) the Sector Economics and Development Impact department, in charge of sector economics analyses, ex ante projects development impact assessment, monitoring and ex post impact evaluation analyses; ii) the Country Economics and Engagement department, in charge of working closely with IFC operations and World Bank Group counterparties in setting development priorities and formulating country strategies through private sector diagnostics, SCDs and CPFs; iii) the Global Macro & Market Research” unit, in charge of generating a deep understanding of economies and markets dynamics, to identify strategic implications for IFC business and clients; iv) the Thought Leadership unit, in charge of providing intellectual leadership on critical areas related to private sector and development; and v) the Government Advisory unit, in charge of identifying opportunities and strategically deploying IFC resources for key policy engagements, working together with the World Bank.

The Research Analyst will be part of the Sector Economics and Development Impact department. The Research Analyst will work on supporting project development impact and sector economic analysis, through data gathering and analytics, sector and literature reviews, as well as econometric estimations and/or economic modeling support. During their first year, it is expected that a significant part of the Research Analyst’s work will be focused on supporting activities towards the design of IFC’s new development impact framework – AIMM (Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring). This will involve in particular, the development and maintenance of sector-specific databases, analytics, indicators, typologies and some quantitative models and frameworks, to assess different project impacts and other market and sector-specific issues to be addressed in the AIMM ex-ante analysis, including competition, integration, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability, among others.

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:

• Support the development of the AIMM framework for specific sectors – including building databases with sector data, indicators, typologies and industry-specific estimates – across countries and sectors.
• Support specific activities related to AIMM project analyses, including reviewing, summarizing and analyzing project documentation and data, conducting additional data gathering and analysis, providing specific estimations, and drafting analysis on specific issues.
• Support the economic analysis functions of the department, through data gathering, literature reviews, quantitative analytic and econometric estimations, as well as support of any related economic modeling work.
• Support the communication and dissemination of AIMM and other sector analyses across IFC and WBG, by helping develop related materials, including presentations, reports and other media.
• Work in the preparation of documentation and training materials, related to the AIMM framework or other initiatives from the department.

Selection Criteria:

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills from combined training and experience, knowledge of economics, data management, strong interest and experience in applied economics, as well as excellent communication and teamwork competencies. Sector-specific analytics and economic analysis/modeling experience is a plus. Minimum Education/Experience:

• Master in economics or related fields with at least 3 years of relevant experience.Required Competencies:
• Strong Analytical and Quantitative Skills – Has the ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and apply it to project and sector analysis. Has strong data gathering, cleaning and management skills, and related software.
• Knowledge and Experience in Economic Analysis. Has the ability to implement basic to intermediate empirical analysis using simple analytical frameworks and/or econometric approaches. Practical problem solving abilities and resourcefulness in designing, leading and performing various analytical tasks.
• Experience with Analytical and Empirical Software. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, basic database management (Access, Oracle), and statistical/econometric package knowledge (STATA, R, Eviews). Programming (.NET, C++, Fortran) and/or economic modeling (Matlab, GAMS, GEMPACK) are a plus.
• Knowledge of Sector Economics – Broad knowledge and understanding of linkages between private sector dynamics, economic growth and development, regulatory frameworks, and/or sector-specific economics.
• Experience on Data Management and Analytics. Experience in building and managing databases, as well as generating empirical analysis using cross-country sector data, panel, time series and other micro-data. Past experience in building analytical frameworks for specific industry sectors, including public and private activities, will be a plus.
• Communication Skills – Demonstrates a strong command of all forms of communication and delivers messages in a consistently effective, timely and engaging manner; and is capable of translating and summarizing broad research findings into concrete conclusions. Has a proven ability to work within interdisciplinary teams to debate and exchange ideas on key issues. Actively promotes dialogue with technical and non-technical counterparts.
• Learning and Innovation – Self-motivated to learn fast about new approaches and methodologies – Conceives, develops and promotes innovative approaches.
• Enjoys a Dynamic Environment – highly motivated by new challenges and opportunities.
• Creates, Applies and Shares Knowledge – supports an environment that generates and applies knowledge in various areas and facilitates knowledge sharing across the institution. Champions new methodologies and approaches to enable and promote the dissemination and transfer of knowledge and best practices and is able to translate complex economic research into clear yet rigorous messages.

  Note : IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.Note : IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.Note : IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.Note : IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

  Note : IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.