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World Bank Group
Lead Economist
full-time•Accra

Summary

Location

Accra

Type

full-time

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About this role

Lead Economist

Job #: req35487
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Economics
Grade: GH
Term Duration: 4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Accra,Ghana
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 2/6/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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 www.worldbank.org.

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region

We need the best and brightest talent focused on Sub-Saharan African countries in order to harness the potential and innovation happening across the continent. Africa is a continent on the move, with a young population and a growing market of nearly 1.2bn people. We are committed to making the Africa regional teams into leading innovation hubs.
Yet, these vast opportunities are tempered by persistent gaps in education, health, and skills, which have Africa only reaching forty percent of its estimated potential. Moreover, conflict, food insecurity, population growth, and the disruptive forces of climate change threaten to curtail or even reverse the progress that has been made over the past decades.
In West and Central Africa, the World Bank is a leading partner with a growing portfolio of 350 projects totaling more than $38 billion in areas such as agriculture, trade and transport, energy, education, health, water and sanitation- all to support job creation, gender equality, poverty reduction, and better lives. Across the continent, the World Bank’s program has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. By 2030, about 87% of the world’s extreme poor are projected to live in Sub-Saharan Africa, so this is where our mission to end extreme poverty and to promote shared prosperity will be achieved.
Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team to improve people’s lives and help countries build back better after COVID. 

The Economic Policy (EP) Global Practice

The Economic Policy (EP) Global Practice is located within the Prosperity Vice Presidency. Almost half of EP professional staff are decentralized to the field partnering closely with the Country Management Units (CMUs) and in proximity to the clients. EP houses the Bank’s country economists together with trade economists and specialists, debt and macro modeling experts, competition, business environment and investment policy experts who work together to support countries in their search for private sector led, inclusive growth. EP offers integrated solutions to macroeconomic and private-sector focused structural reform programs. In doing so, EP staff often serve integrative functions working closely with other GPs.

You will be working with across a wide array of Bank instruments ranging from Development Policy Operations to advisory projects, combining the strength of Bank analysis and lending with long standing expertise in providing implementation support at the country level. You will often lead or participate in the preparation of Strategic Country Diagnostics for both the public and private sectors, as well as other analytic tools such as Public Finance Reviews, Country Economic Memorandum and Country Private Sector Diagnostics. Knowledge and learning is a central part of EP’s work focused on 9 thematic areas: (a) macroeconomics; (b) fiscal policy; (c) growth; (d) economic management in resource rich environments; (e) macroeconomic modelling & statistics; (f) trade and regional integration; (g) competition policy; (h) investment policy and promotion; and (i) business regulation.
Poverty has no borders. Neither does excellence. This is why we continually search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe. 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.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Like most EP Lead Economists working on individual countries or CMUs, the Ghana Lead Economist is expected to:

• Lead the economic policy dialogue with the Government of Ghana.

• Lead high profile and complex Development Policy Operations or other types of lending operations focused on economic reforms.

• Lead high profile and complex Analytical Services and Advisory work (ASA).

• Ensure overall quality of all EP deliverables for Ghana.

• Lead coordination on macro-fiscal monitoring and policy dialogue work with the IMF.

• Support the analytical work program of the CMU including the preparation of the SCD, CPF and other key strategic pieces.

• Work closely with other GPs (within Prosperity as well as Planet and People) on the preparation of key strategic pieces and/or engagements.

• Actively develops new business that contributes to the development agenda of Ghana.

• Mentor and coach the group of EP economist (s) working on the delivery of the practice’s work program.

• Participate actively in the EP Global Practice and the EAWM2 Unit.

• Support the Practice Manager and the Global Practice with corporate demands, quality control of deliverables, and acting assignments as needed.

• Facilitate and organize intra-and inter-economic/sector teams, international experts to debate and exchange ideas on key issues relevant to Ghana.

• Serve as focal point or spokesperson on economic issues to clients and other external constituencies and expert economic groups. 

Selection Criteria

• Minimum of a Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in economics with at least twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience including a track record of delivery of high quality analytical and advisory products.

• Strong analytical skills in macroeconomic and fiscal management and ability to conduct policy-relevant research.

• Experience in leading high impact development policy operations; sound knowledge of Bank lending tools and procedures.

• Integrative capacity including the ability to situate sectoral issues within a broader development framework.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present complicated analyses to non-specialist audiences.

• Strong client-orientation and diplomatic skills combined with candor and courage of opinion.

• Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet deadlines.

• Entrepreneurial capabilities that can be deployed in identifying and securing new business opportunities.

• High energy and demonstrated interest in achieving impact through analytical work and technical assistance for demanding and sophisticated clients. Previous experience in delivering high impact work in a country under economic transformation would be a plus.

Required Competencies

• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses a track record of intellectual leadership and ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and specific micro/sector fields of expertise; provides quality assurance and assesses technical soundness of work/reports.

• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Influences the design and execution of major policy and/or research initiatives; conceives and promotes innovations in development policies, project design, organization and management to improve operational and sector work.

• Policy Dialogue Skills - Has a track record of conducting effective policy dialogue with country counterparts; communicates and defends difficult issues and positions to senior bank management and government officials.

• Integrative Skills – Possesses in-depth understanding of Bank resources in all areas of work in the network, and proven fungibility.

• Macroeconomic Skills and Country Economics Experience - Has strong record of task leadership of complex policy-based lending operations, major economic reports or other published work relating to macro-economic, fiscal, growth, structural policy and poverty issues.

• Written and Verbal Communication - Demonstrates a strong command of all forms of communication and delivers messages in a consistently effective, timely and engaging manner.

• Lead and Innovate - Inspires and influences others to drive innovation.

•  Deliver Results for Clients- Acts as a trusted, strategic advisor, partnering with clients to deliver results.

•  Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Leads collaboration across WBG and with partners drawing on robust professional networks.

• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Establishes an environment where knowledge is created, applied and shared.

• Make Smart Decisions - Makes timely decisions that have a broad impact.

 Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered


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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.

Other facts

Tech stack
Economic Policy,Analytical Skills,Macroeconomic Management,Fiscal Management,Policy Dialogue,Client Orientation,Communication Skills,Business Development,Mentoring,Collaboration,Strategic Planning,Research,Project Management,Innovation,Impact Assessment,Team Leadership

About World Bank Group

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Our vision is to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

We are not a bank in the common sense; we are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 189 member countries: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

Each institution plays a different but collaborative role in advancing the vision of inclusive and sustainable globalization. The IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries, while IDA focuses on the world's poorest countries.

Their work is complemented by that of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Together, we provide low-interest loans, interest-free credits and grants to developing countries for a wide array of purposes that include investments in education, health, public administration, infrastructure, financial and private sector development, agriculture and environmental and natural resource management.

Team size: 10,001+ employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: International Trade and Development

What you'll do

  • The Lead Economist will lead economic policy dialogue with the Government of Ghana and oversee high-profile Development Policy Operations and Analytical Services. They will ensure the quality of deliverables and coordinate macro-fiscal monitoring and policy dialogue with the IMF.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Lead Economist do at World Bank Group?

As a Lead Economist at World Bank Group, you will: the Lead Economist will lead economic policy dialogue with the Government of Ghana and oversee high-profile Development Policy Operations and Analytical Services. They will ensure the quality of deliverables and coordinate macro-fiscal monitoring and policy dialogue with the IMF..

Why join World Bank Group as a Lead Economist?

World Bank Group is a leading International Trade and Development company.

Is the Lead Economist position at World Bank Group remote?

The Lead Economist position at World Bank Group is based in Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Lead Economist position at World Bank Group?

You can apply for the Lead Economist position at World Bank Group directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about World Bank Group on their website.