Specialists - Development Economics - Economists at World Bank

The Development Economics Group (DEC) increases understanding of development policies and programs by providing intellectual leadership and analytical services to the World Bank and the wider development community. DEC is the premier research and data arm of the World Bank Group.

If you are interested in this area, please click the position(s) below to submit your application. To apply, click the relevant link. You will be prompted to log in to the Member Center or create a new account. Please fill in all fields, answer the screening questions if any, attach your resume or CV, and submit your Statement of Interest (no more than 700 words).

The Development Prospects Group (DECPG)

The DECPG analyzes likely future developments in the global economy. Its work ranges from predicting near-term cyclical developments to uncovering emerging trends and developing long-term-scenarios. Against the backdrop of these future developments, the group provides in-depth policy analysis that is either utilized to advise senior management, or published in two high-profile publications and frequently cited by leading business and economic publications. The first of these flagship publication is the Global Economic Prospects report and it contains short- and medium-term analysis. The second flagship is the Global Monitoring Report, it analyzes progress towards the World Bank Group’s Goals.

Economist: DECPG is looking for outstanding global macro PhD level Economists with excellent analytical and writing skills to work and contribute to its main tasks and product lines. The successful candidate will:

• help strengthen the analytical contents of the Global Economic Prospects and Global Monitoring Reports and other DECPG products.
• improve the modeling frameworks for analysis of economic prospects and poverty and shared prosperity dynamics at global and country levels.
• develop a work plan to continuously renew and upgrade DECPG’s expertise in the area of global, regional, and country economic models, acquiring and maintaining state-of-the art techniques in economic modeling where relevant and important for DECPG’s applications.
• work closely with a team of talented economists and researchers to provide to economic analysis and scenarios for the flagship reports and for regular briefings to Senior Management.
• work closely with various experts in order to play an active and leading role in DECPG’s and the World Bank’s analysis of economic and poverty trends.
• provide analytical support and advisory services to other teams in DECPG, the Bank’s regions and global practices; and build networking relationships with major academic institutions, think tanks, and policy forums through active participation in conferences and seminars and joint work on research projects related to its mission

DECDP/OS serves to advise the Bank’s Senior Vice President and Bank Chief Economist and senior management on all relevant development policy and operations issues, leveraging the knowledge in DEC, regions, global practices, and other parts of the Bank Group and academia to articulate the Bank Group positions on issues of global significance, integrating macro and micro-economic perspectives, as well as political and social dimensions of public policy.

Economist: will be a PhD level Economist with relevant work experience and works with the senior level Economists and provides policy research and analysis resulting in papers for publication and policy notes. Second, the role requires preparation of speeches and certain presentations and contributing to the review of DEC flagships, including the publication of the WDR. Third, the Economist will support Bank Operations, through preparation of analysis that aid the review of Bank project proposals and policies, and research/analytic support and advice to operational units (including through direct work on Bank projects). Fourth, the Economist will support various corporate initiatives and mandates, such as the Bank's engagement with the G20, middle-income country agenda, etc.

Lead Economist: will be a PhD Economist with at least 10 years of relevant experience: The position involves working closely with the Chief Economist to define and lead policy research and analysis resulting in papers for publication and policy notes. The role requires independent preparation of key speeches and presentations and leading the review of DEC flagships. The Lead Economist will support Bank Operations, through leading reviews of Bank project proposals and policies, and research/analytic support and advice to operational units (including through direct work on Bank projects); will play a key senior role in supporting various corporate initiatives and mandates, such as the Bank's engagement with the G20, middle-income country agenda, etc.

The Research Department (DECRG)

DECRG conducts research, generates, and disseminates knowledge about development that is essential for the achievement of the World Bank’s ultimate objective—eliminating extreme poverty and creating shared prosperity in a fiscally, environmentally, and socially sustainable manner. Typically ranked as a top global development research institution, the work of DECRG is often cited by the media, the academic community, and other parties interested in international development. Researchers also provide support to the World Bank's regions and Global Practices to help ensure that the Bank's policy advice is firmly grounded on current knowledge. The department produces the majority of the Bank’s research and enjoys a high international profile. The work of our researchers appear in academic journals, the World Bank Policy Research Working Paper Series, books, blogs, and special publications such as the Policy Research Reports.

Economist: DECRG is looking for candidates in all areas of economics relevant to development, including macroeconomics, international economics, trade, finance, applied microeconomics, rural and agricultural economics, and natural resource economics. We seek candidates with (i) strong technical skills; (ii) a record of—or good prospects for—publication of high-quality original research in peer-reviewed journals, (iii) the ability to communicate technical knowledge and expertise in a policy environment; and (iv) excellent spoken and written proficiency in English. We are considering new PhDs as well as more experienced candidates with relevant post-doctoral academic or non-academic experience. Research economists are expected to maintain an outstanding scholarly publication record, as well as provide relevant policy advice and technical expertise to colleagues throughout the World Bank, and to policymakers in client countries.