Senior Economist – Governance

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The World Bank Group is a global partnership dedicated to ending extreme poverty, boosting shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR), the World Bank Group serves 30 client countries with diverse development needs. The Bank’s strategy in LCR focuses on promoting inclusive growth, investing in human capital, and building resilience, including through stronger governance, better institutions, economic integration, and greater mobilization of private finance. The World Bank’s Governance and Institutions Unit for LCR (GOV PSI), part of the Prosperity Practice Group, works with governments and stakeholders to improve the performance, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness of public institutions. The unit applies a problem-driven and evidence-based approach, combining global knowledge of reform experience with a strong understanding of country-specific institutional constraints and opportunities. GOV PSI works across several core business lines, including public financial management; domestic resource mobilization and tax administration; state-owned enterprises and corporate governance; public institutions, including civil service, center of government, legislatures, and administration of justice; and decentralization and subnational governance. The unit also supports cross-cutting priorities such as digital governance, anti-corruption, and political economy analysis. The unit delivers a broad range of products and services, including diagnostics, technical assistance, advisory services, learning and knowledge activities, and the design and supervision of investment projects, results-based operations, and development policy operations. GOV PSI is seeking an outstanding Senior Economist to strengthen its work on public sector and institutional reforms in LCR, with particular emphasis on public financial management, fiscal management, applied economics, and data-driven analysis. The selected candidate will contribute to policy dialogue, analytical and advisory work, and lending operations, working closely with GOV PSI colleagues, the broader Prosperity team in the region, and global Governance colleagues. The Senior Economist will report to the GOV PSI Practice Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Requirements

At least a master’s degree, preferably in economics, public finance, accounting, business administration, public policy, or a closely related field, with strong knowledge of public financial management and fiscal management.
At least 8 years of relevant professional experience and a sustained record of high-quality results in economics, institutional reform, public policy analysis, public financial management, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or advising on public financial management and institutional reforms, particularly in planning, budgeting, public investment management, fiscal management, and the quality of public spending.
Proven ability to lead policy dialogue and deliver analytical and advisory services with senior government officials and development partners.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to use economic evidence, data, and diagnostics to inform policy recommendations and operational design.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly and build productive client relationships.
Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a government practitioner, including as a civil servant or public official in areas related to fiscal policy, budgeting, planning, or public financial management, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to policy dialogue and business development with client governments on public sector, fiscal, and public financial management reforms.
Prepare and oversee high-quality analytical and diagnostic work, including expenditure reviews, public financial management assessments, institutional reform analyses, and other public policy products.
Lead and support the preparation and supervision of lending operations, including investment projects, results-based operations, and development policy operations.
Lead and support the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of Bank-executed trust funds and related advisory engagements.
Collaborate with other Global Practices, particularly within the Prosperity Practice Group, to design and deliver integrated country engagements and operations.
Provide technical inputs to initiatives led by other Global Practices where institutional reform, public finance, or governance expertise is required.
Contribute to partnerships and knowledge exchange with international organizations and development partners working on institutional development and public sector reform.
Support the design and delivery of learning, training, and knowledge-sharing activities for internal and external audiences.
Undertake other assignments, as agreed with the Practice Manager, consistent with the unit’s priorities and work program.