Job Description

E T Consultant

Job #:
req38106
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
EC2
Term Duration: 1 year
Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment
Location:
Vienna,Austria
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
8/24/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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 https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/home

The World Bank Group’s (WBG’s) Trade, Competition and Business (TCB) department provides expertise in private sector-led development to foster private-sector-led growth and help facilitate private investment and jobs in client countries. Through this work, TCB strengthens WBG’s evolving approach to leverage private sector investments for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The SMEs and Enterprise Development team (WKPTS) provide evidence-based support to help countries foster an enabling business environment, maximize the benefits of private investment, and secure a share in global value chains. By leveraging a comprehensive approach that addresses the legal, regulatory, administrative, and institutional barriers affecting all phases of the business and investment lifecycle, the WKPTS helps countries establish a competitive investment climate favorable for stimulating investment for business-led growth. Capable of mobilizing a wide range of WBG instruments—including advisory services and analytics (ASAs) and diverse lending products (DPFs, P4Rs, and IPFs)—to help developing countries, the private sector experts on the business environment and investment policy and promotion support governments to design and implement investment climate reform programs in the context of a broader trade, investment, and competitiveness agenda.

Roles and Responsibilities

The ETC will join the WKPTS team with a focus on the activities listed below, although the roles and activities may evolve in agreement with the WKPTS Practice Manager.

• Support the unit’s cross-support to Regional Prosperity, FCI and IFC teams by providing technical and strategic input on investment climate programs, including through designing and implementing investment policy diagnostics, FDI trend analysis, identification of priority sectors for foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, and investment climate assessments at the country and regional levels.

• Prepare high-quality policy and technical notes, analytical reports, working papers, and presentations with concrete recommendations and action plans on investment policy, promotion, and competitiveness.

• Contribute to global Advisory Services and Analytics (ASAs) with a focus on investment promotion, green and inclusive FDI attraction, and FDI linkages, including through research, stocktaking of operational experience, and development of analytical frameworks and scalable solutions for clients.

• Conduct rigorous quantitative and qualitative economic research, applying advanced econometric methods and impact evaluation techniques to generate evidence-based insights.

• Apply spatial analysis and data visualization tools to support evidence-based policy recommendations.

• Engage with government counterparts, ministries, and key stakeholders in client countries to support policy dialogue, reform design, and institutional capacity development.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in economics, public policy or international development with a focus on competitiveness and private sector development.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in private sector development, investment climate reforms, investment policy, or SME development, combining research, advisory and operational roles.
• In-depth knowledge and proven expertise in investment policy and promotion, including FDI analysis, sector prioritization, strategy design, policies and institutions for FDI attraction, retention and SME linkages, preferably in both country-specific and regional contexts.
• Strong quantitative research skills, with demonstrated proficiency in econometric analysis using Stata and/or R, including custom programming for analytical purpose, and experience with spatial data and GIS tools.
• Experience supporting government counterparts in developing country settings, preferably in hands-on advisory roles for government institutions (e.g., ministries of finance, line ministries).
• Prior experience working with or for the WBG or comparable multilateral development institutions is strongly preferred.

Skills:

• Strong analytical, drafting, and policy advisory skills, with the ability to translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable policy recommendations.
• Strong familiarity with WBG operational instruments and processes is an asset.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

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

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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.