Job Description
Associate Economist
Job #:
req37348
Organization:
World Bank Group
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GF
Term Duration: 4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
7/9/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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.
VPU Context: The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the World Bank’s central reservoir of fresh insights into the most pressing challenges of development. It is led by the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group, who advises the President and senior managers, serves as the community leader for the WBG’s economists, and helps to keep the institution in the forefront of thinking about development policy. DEC constitutes one of the world’s largest teams of economists focused on policy solutions for developing economies.
Unit Context: The Private Market Department of DEC is seeking to hire an economist who will work closely with the Director of the Department on analytical research related to private sector development, crowding in private capital, and macro, market, and political risks in emerging markets. The research will provide insights that will help to bridge DEC’s global knowledge with operational needs on private sector issues and will contribute to producing development data that is aligned with IFC and MIGA priorities.
Duties and accountabilities:
• Contribute to DECPM’s research agenda through analytical work related to private sector investment, guarantees, and risk mitigation, including drafting major research publications.
• Contribute to the creation of unique firm level and transaction level datasets, market surveys, and real time indicators that can inform IFC/MIGA operations.
• Develop new theoretical and quantitative frameworks to support policy analysis and evaluate the effects of economic policies on productivity, firm and industry performances.
• Prepare briefs, reports, and presentations for the Director of DECPM.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the Director of DECPM, contributing to the overall objectives of the department.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree in economics or related relevant field with research experience. PhD in economics is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional and/or academic experience in fields relevant to private sector development, private investment, financial markets, and guarantees. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using large-scale administrative datasets and empirical methods (micro/macro), including firm level analysis and market monitoring.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills including a strong econometrics background, and proficiency in STATA and/or other econometric/statistics software.
• Ability to work with and extend general equilibrium models of endogenous growth, firm dynamics, and economic development.
• Proficiency in solving, calibrating, and simulating quantitative general equilibrium models for policy analysis, including dynamic stochastic and structural models used to evaluate industrial, innovation, labor market, and development policies.
• Demonstrated track record of drafting different types of publications, including academic papers and policy-oriented reports.
• Commitment to teamwork, knowledge-sharing, and ability to influence across organizational boundaries.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The 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.
