Job Vacancies The World Bank, March 2012

Job Vacancies The World Bank
Position Trade Economist
Job Family Economic Policy
Location    Washington, DC
Appointment International Hire
Closing Date: Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Language Requirements English [Essential]; French [Desired]; Spanish [Desired]
Appointment Type  

Background / General description
Background The International Trade Department in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) Network plays a key role in supporting the World Bank’s strategy of mainstreaming trade and competitiveness into country policies and making the world trading system more supportive of economic development . The Bank’s senior management has recently renewed its commitment to expand the Bank’s work on trade as an essential part of the growth and competitiveness agenda. The International Trade Department within the PREM Network leads the operational trade and export competitiveness work in the Bank, liaising effectively with PREM units in the Regions and with Country Directors to further this operational work program. The Trade Department currently has three business lines: (i) trade competitiveness; (ii) trade facilitation and logistics; and (iii) trade policy and integration. In addition, the Trade Department handles corporate issues related to trade that include support to senior management on trade, partnerships with trade agencies globally, and management of a multi-donor trust fund for trade and development for the Bank. Trade competitiveness addresses the supply side factors affecting trade expansion possibilities for developing countries, with a particular emphasis on fostering export competitiveness and diversification. Specifically, we focus on understanding the factors that contribute to firm-level and economy wide export participation and performance, and identifying the most effective policy interventions to overcome government and market failures and support competitiveness. Our work program is anchored in the Trade Competitiveness Diagnostic – a comprehensive framework and toolkit for assessing competitiveness and designing policy and operational solutions to expand trade participation and competitiveness. Beyond this, we provide a range of knowledge products addressing issues such as special economic zones, export promotion, industrial clusters, the attraction of FDI and its spillovers to the local economy, trade in lagging regions, and the potential for trade in services .

Duties and Accountabilities
To actively support this fast growing area, the Trade Department is seeking to hire a versatile Trade Economist to join its trade and competitiveness team. The Trade Economist will report to the Sector Manager. The scope of activities will include participating in the development of toolkits and in knowledge activities, helping the country teams implement the competitiveness agenda with client countries, and supporting as well as improving cooperation across departments and regions. S/he will work as part of the core trade competitiveness team under the general oversight of the lead economist and will be required to:
Manage his/her own work program on trade and competitiveness and collaborate with other team members.
Participate in the development of new knowledge products and instruments that can be mainstreamed into country work, including the development of toolkits for analytical work, and the design of country wide policies.
Support the regions by participating in the policy dialogue with client countries and in lending projects initiated by country teams.
Participate in knowledge sharing and learning activities of the Trade Department, and organize and contribute to dissemination activities, conferences, workshops and learning programs.
Participate in and expand the scope of partnerships established with other units and organizations active in the area of trade policy and trade competitiveness.

Selection Criteria
Advanced degree in relevant fields (economics, trade, industrial organization) required, along with relevant professional experience (minimum of 5 years), including on trade and competitiveness issues.
Strong analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative) and proven ability to conduct independent policy-relevant research, translate theory into practical applications, and adapt professional knowledge and technical skills to analyze, diagnose and propose solutions to policy issues and challenges;
Extensive and proven experience with trade analysis using firm heterogeneity concepts and application of these concepts using micro data
Demonstrated expertise in treating and combining firm-level data from different sources (customs, balance sheet, and census data) and awareness of limits and challenges of analysis through micro-data.
Proficiency in programming in STATA, and readiness to learn other software packages upon request.
Proven work experience in at least two of the geographic regions where the World Bank is active would be desirable.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with multiple priorities and tight deadlines. Strong analytical and organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Demonstrated ability to take leadership and communicate ideas effectively under pressure.
Willing to travel extensively, including to remote and conflict affected areas if required;
Understanding of Bank policies and practices related to trade and broad knowledge of trade issues, including negotiations under the WTO. Knowledge of developing country conditions related to economics and trade. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

World Bank 1818 H St NW Washington, DC 20006 (202) 473-1000




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