Senior Economist

Senior Economist

Job #: req37137 Organization: IFC Sector: Economics Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Hong Kong,China Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/2/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Country Advisory and Economics Unit of the East Asia and Pacific Region (CEAAE) contributes to IFC’s mission by providing diagnostics and advisory services to help deliver the reforms and the policies needed to remove market barriers and mobilize private investments. CEAAE has a peculiar dual role (advisory and analytics). In its advisory role, CEAAE works with governments, public agencies, sector regulators and industry/business associations to help improve the business environment through reforms, policy actions and by completing the legal and institutional framework. The analytical role of CAE encompasses several tasks, including: (i) producing regional and country-level economic and market assessments to support IFC’s strategy and operations; (ii) leading analytical products such as Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and the associated sector ‘deep dives’; (iii) leading on behalf of IFC the preparation of WBG country engagement products such as Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF) and Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDR), in coordination with regional and industry colleagues; and (iv) working closely with IBRD/IDA operations teams to help identify reform priorities with a specific private sector focus to be steered through DPLs, PfoR and IPFs. CEAAE also has a specific mandate to enable a one WBG approach to unlocking markets by: (i) facilitating coordination across the WBG and connecting public and private sector thinking; (ii) helping IFC teams better understand market risks and devise well-tailored solutions for private capital mobilization (PCM); (iii) connecting governments with IFC and providing interface with external stakeholders (SOEs, regulators, development partners). Because of its dual role CAE has a workforce with diverse skills, including economics, strategy, and operational staff.

CAE is seeking to recruit a Sr. Economist to be based in Hong Kong, to lead analytical work covering China and other selected countries in East Asia. The Sr. Economist shall be a committed and dynamic professional with strong analytical skills; policy-relevant experience; expertise in market and sectoral analysis and applied research; a track record of publications; and proven skills as team player and aggregator. A track record of experience across the WBG, including leading and/or taking part in the preparation of country engagement products, as well as a deep understanding of East Asian economies and China’s in particular, will constitute a plus.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Contribute to business development by providing investment and upstream/advisory teams with customized, up-to-date research, such as country economic and market updates; assessments of regional-global trends and/or analysis of real-time issues; market assessments and sectoral analysis.

• Identify and develop real-time analytics to help identify market opportunities and help shape business strategies in the region.

• Provide timely and quality input to IFC investment projects on country/regional context, macro/market analysis, policy issues, strategic fit, key risks, and other analysis during the full project life cycle, especially on high-risk projects.

• Provide analytical support and advice to CEAAE project teams to identify and deliver actionable reforms that can open private sector opportunities and support IFC industries.

• Focal point for WBG coordination/collaboration. This includes: (i) on behalf of IFC, co-leading the preparation of country engagement products (CPFs, CCDRs, etc.); (ii) coordinating analytical tasks and contributing to policy dialogue and IBRD lending programs (DPOs, IPFs, and P4Rs) to ensure that key private sector reforms are considered; and (iii) provide review of/support to WBG analytics and operations.

• Lead preparation of CPSDs, including: (i) coordinating with regional and industry colleagues and WB’s counterparts to select strategic sectors; (ii) designing and leading data collection and analysis; and (iii) identifying/developing deep dives.

• Work closely with the Knowledge Bank to (i) coordinate diagnostics; (ii) jointly develop flagship studies; and (iii) ensure a consistent WBG position on global/country/market issues/trends.

• Provide front-office support to the Regional Director and the Vice-President of the Asia Region including: (i) preparing analytics and updates on countries’ economies and selected markets; and (ii) in collaboration with the communication team, preparing briefing and talking points for key meetings and events (conferences, interviews, blogs etc.).

• Facilitate consultations with various stakeholders including other development finance institutions, civil society and enterprise sector.

• Mentor junior colleagues and provide quality control of strategic and analytical work, as well as operational projects.

Selection Criteria

• PhD or master’s degree in economics with at least 12 years of relevant professional experience.

• A track record of excellence in research and analytics, including published research.

• Proven expertise in both macro- and micro-level issues; that is, in addition to typical macroeconomic diagnostics and public sector analysis, the ideal candidate shall have solid expertise in private sector policies and market issues, as well as experience in private sector diagnostics and/or sector/market analysis.

• Expertise in China economy and in a specific thematic area (private sector regulations, climate policies, etc.) and sector (finance, infrastructure, etc.) will be considered a plus.

• Experience with economic models, financial models, or econometrics approaches is desirable.

• Ability to understand how the macroeconomic framework and trends at global/regional/country level produce impacts at the micro-level, e.g., on financial flows, private investments, and risks/opportunities within specific sectors and markets.

• Ability to translate economic and policy analysis into country and sector strategies/programs/reforms.

• Experience with policy dialogue, lending operations (including policy-based and investment lending) and delivering programs and solutions to clients.

• Experience in leading/contributing to WBG analytical work such as CPFs, CPSDs, and CCDRs will be considered a plus.

• Strong writing skills, including the ability to write quickly and concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner.

• Strong communication skills, including ability to interact with internal stakeholders within the WBG and IFC’s client countries, and participate in programs/initiatives in collaboration with the WB/MIGA/external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills; proven ability to work effectively as a team leader and team member, build and maintain relationships with colleagues, manage junior staff and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, adjust to changes in schedule and priorities, and juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently.

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.