Senior Economist - Kigali, Rwanda

The Africa Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department (AFTP2) is currently seeking a GG level economist to work as Country Economist for Rwanda based in Kigali, Rwanda. In collaboration with and guided by a Lead Economist based in Nairobi, the Senior Economist will lead the policy reform dialogue with the Government of Rwanda and development partners and will provide intellectual leadership and quality assurance for the PREM work in Rwanda. S/he would collaborate closely with PREM colleagues in the public sector governance group on public expenditure management and public sector reform issues. The selected candidate would be expected to take up her/his position in Kigali by October 2012.

The Africa Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Group (AFR PREM) plays a key role in implementing the Africa Action Plan. It has particularly significant responsibilities in strengthening efforts to assure shared growth; enhance opportunities for the population; build sustainable and effective institutions; and deepen results orientation.

The Senior Economist would be a key member of the PREM team for East Africa and the Horn. AFTP2 is the home of about 30 PREM staff providing lending and non-lending services in support of growth, governance and poverty reduction in the country programs managed by currently three Country Directors who are located in the country offices along with about three-fourths of the PREM team. The department’s country economists’ work programs are tailored to the specifics of each country but involve in virtually all cases a high level of responsibility and visibility as country economists are expected to carry forward the economic policy dialogue in each country, interacting with both senior government officials (up to and including Ministers) as well as other development partners and the IMF.

Rwanda has emerged as a leader for economic reform in Africa, and its Government is actively seeking to find new and innovative solutions for the country’s development. Government ownership and its vision are exceptionally strong, and the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) team plays a central role for the Bank’s program in Rwanda. PREM staff is currently leading the dialogue with Government and donors related to the multi-sectoral Poverty Reduction Support Grants. PREM also has built a strong track record of policy advice on growth, poverty reduction, and public expenditure management through ESW reports and innovative TA. This senior economist position therefore comes with high responsibility and visibility.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

- Lead the policy reform dialogue with Government and development partners, including task management of PRSGs;

- Lead the preparation of critical Economic and Sector Work (ESW) with a focus on offering innovative solutions in response to government priorities, and with hands-on capacity building;

- Lead IDA’s engagement with the country on its overall policy reform program as set out in its PRSP.

- Represent the Bank in its dealings with the IMF on the macroeconomic framework for Rwanda and the design and sequencing of economic reforms in the Fund supported programs, as well as in the preparation of joint World Bank-IMF debt sustainability analyses;

- Lead within the country team relevant process tasks such as the annual Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) exercise;

- Play a key role in the dialogue with development partners on harmonization procedures to reduce transactions costs and ensure high quality IDA lending.

Senior Economist