Economist

Job #: req36172
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Private Sector Development
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Vienna,Austria
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 4/10/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group (WBG) 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, 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.
As unprecedented shocks and uncertainty have hit the Europe and Central Asia region (ECA) in recent years, the WBG is focusing on a strategy to deliver on its objectives through boosting human capital, facilitating green transitions, enabling markets, and building and strengthening institution. In this context, the Finance, Competitiveness, and Investment Global Practice (FCI), part of the WBG Prosperity Vertical, plays a key role in achieving this strategy. By providing financial stability, efficiency, markets and firm-level solutions in an integrated way, FCI supports client countries develop the essential enabling environment to crowd in the private sector, support the creation of markets, and accelerate equitable growth.
DUTIES, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The objective of this assignment is to recruit a Private Sector Economist (GF) to support FCI's operational and analytical work program in ECA. The Economist will contribute to the development and implementation of analytical frameworks, policy-relevant research, and operational lending at the intersection of private sector development, market dynamics, and finance. The position is anchored in applied economic and policy analysis, with a strong emphasis on translating analytics into operationally relevant WBG products and concrete policy dialogue with client governments.
The Private Sector Economist will work under the supervision of the Practice Manager and/or designated Task Team Leaders (TTLs) within the FCI GP. At the GF level, the Economist is expected to demonstrate sound knowledge of private sector development and applied economics, and to operate with a significant degree of independence on discrete workstreams, while contributing to broader team objectives.
Analytical and Knowledge Work
● Lead and contribute to the development and dissemination of new analytical frameworks and approaches in core areas of FCI expertise, including competitive markets, industrial organization, competitiveness, technology adoption, and private sector dynamics.
● Conduct market assessments, value chain analyses, and sector competitiveness diagnostics, with a focus on identifying structural constraints and reform opportunities for private sector growth.

● Produce high-quality economic policy papers, policy notes, working papers, and analytical reports, including inputs to core analytical products 

● Play a key role in markets monitoring, including preparation of economic projections, sector outlooks, and regular updates on private sector trends.

● Develop state-of-the-art approaches in applied economic and policy analysis and pioneer their implementation in operations and analytical work, including the use of firm-level data, regulatory assessments, and productivity diagnostics.

● Identify, document, and disseminate lessons learned and good practices from the portfolio to inform future operations and policy dialogue.
Operational and Project Work
● Serve as a team member or co-TTL on FCI lending operations (Investment Project Financing, Program for Results) and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) / Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) activities, contributing across the full project cycle from concept through implementation and completion.

● Lead or contribute to the preparation of key project documents, including Project Concept Notes (PCNs), Project Appraisal Documents (PADs), Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs), and Aide Mémoires.

● Work under the guidance of the Practice Manager and senior team members to transform analytical outputs into operationally relevant WBG products, ensuring research findings are embedded in project design and implementation.

● Work with WBG project teams to provide technical guidance and advocate for strengthening and improving project monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including results indicators related to private sector growth, investment, and green transition.

● Contribute to the development of new lending and ASA engagements, including preparation of concept notes, scoping missions, and stakeholder consultations.
Policy Dialogue and Country Strategy
● Work closely with country teams to integrate private sector development, productivity and market assessments into core diagnostics and policy dialogue

● Support the preparation of policy notes, reform roadmaps, and technical briefs for senior government officials and World Bank management.

● Facilitate public-private dialogue (PPD) processes, including the organization of stakeholder workshops, roundtables, and consultations between government and the private sector.
Coordination, Partnerships, and WBG Collaboration
● Work closely with other Verticals, on the preparation of key strategic pieces and engagements related to private sector development, sector/competitiveness, markets, technology, and innovation.

● Coordinate with IFC and MIGA counterparts on joint diagnostics, advisory work, and operational activities, contributing to integrated "One WBG" solutions for clients.

Selection Criteria

Education
● Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Economics, Applied Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field. Specialization in development economics, industrial organization, microeconomics, is particularly valued. Graduate studies in applied microeconomics, economic regulation  are a strong plus.

● Candidates with a Master's degree should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience; candidates with a PhD should have a minimum of three years.

Experience
● Demonstrated track record of intellectual, policy dialogue, and operational contributions on issues of competitive markets, private sector development, industrial policy, innovation, and/or competition.

● Proven track record of delivering high-quality, technically sound, and operationally relevant analytical work, including peer-reviewed publications, policy reports, or institutional knowledge products. 

● Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including demonstrated knowledge of econometrics, applied statistics, and management of large databases. Proficiency in Stata; knowledge of R, Python, or SQL is a strong plus.

● Excellent analytical skills and experience conducting sectoral and market assessments, including an understanding of how policies, regulations, and other government interventions in markets shape market outcomes, as evidenced by policy notes, reports, and client references.

● Demonstrated ability to develop knowledge tools and analytical pieces to understand market distortions and policy constraints affecting value chains across sectors, with an emphasis on the role of the state in markets; including the mainstreaming of microeconomic analysis of market dynamics into standard country economic analysis frameworks and the development of indicators and statistics on market structures, value chains, and technologies at the economy and industry level.

● Exposure to private sector development and structural microeconomic reform agendas to achieve development goals is valued.

● Experience working with or advising government counterparts on private sector development and economic policy reform in emerging markets and developing economies.

● Connections with climate finance and private capital facilitation are a plus.

● Experience in the World Bank Group or a comparable multilateral development institution is an advantage but not required.
Technical Knowledge (Sound Knowledge Expected at GF Level)
The candidate must demonstrate sound knowledge in at least two of the following FCI thematic areas:
● Investment Climate and Business Environment: Business regulation reform (entry, licensing, inspections, insolvency, contract enforcement); investment policy and promotion; FDI attraction; investor protection; public-private dialogue mechanisms.

● Competition Policy and Market Dynamics: Market competition analysis; competition law and enforcement; state-owned enterprise reform; product market regulation; barriers to entry and contestability.

● Industry analysis and sector competitiveness diagnostics; special economic zones (SEZs); industrial policy evaluation; global value chain integration; quality infrastructure, green and digital industrial policy.

● Firm dynamics, Innovation and Technology Policy: Science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy; technology diffusion; digital transformation for firms; Industry 4.0; productivity diagnostics.

● Trade Facilitation and Regional Integration: Trade policy reform; non-tariff measures; trade logistics; regional economic integration.

● MSME Development and Entrepreneurship: SME policy design and evaluation; access to finance for MSMEs; entrepreneurship ecosystems; women's economic empowerment.

FCI Cross-Cutting Competencies
In line with the World Bank's Professional Family Mapping framework, the following four cross-cutting competencies are required at the GF level:
Knowledge and Experience in the Development Arena. Demonstrates sound understanding of development challenges and translates technical and economic knowledge into practical policy applications and operational solutions. Applies knowledge of best practices and standards in private sector development and applied economics to client contexts in emerging markets.
Policy Dialogue Skills. Capable of conducting independent policy discussions with government and non-government partners. Able to present complex technical and economic findings clearly to senior officials and non-specialist audiences. Demonstrates tact and cultural sensitivity in engaging with diverse stakeholders.
Integrative Skills. Understands cross-sectoral linkages and their interrelationships. Able to integrate private sector development and economic perspectives into broader country strategies and multi-sector operations. Works effectively across Global Practices and with IFC/MIGA counterparts.
Communications and Influencing Skills. Articulates ideas clearly and persuasively in written and oral form. Produces high-quality technical documents, policy notes, economic papers, and presentations. Actively shares knowledge and best practices within the team and across the institution.

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.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.