Environmental Economist

Environmental Economist

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. https://www.worldbank.org
The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region:
The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse, predominantly middle-income countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. ECA countries face structural and legacy issues, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependence on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and, in many instances, aging populations. Recent shocks (COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, weather shocks and natural disaster) have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards. The World Bank Group is working closely with client countries in the region to address these issues, with increasing focus on productivity growth and job creation, energy security and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, and physical and digital connectivity. The region has a strong lending pipeline and a large portfolio of projects spanning a number of sectors. In addition, knowledge is critical to the Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region.
The Planet Practice Group:
The Planet Practice Group (PG) helps countries tackle their most complex challenges in the areas covered by the four Planet Global Practices: Agriculture and Food, Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy, Social Sustainability and Inclusion, and Water, as well as cross-cutting area of Climate Change. In addition, Planet’s staff provide services to the rest of the Bank’s program on environmental and social risk management, gender and citizen engagement, and leadership on crafting climate action.
Environment Practice:
The sustainable management of the environment and natural resources is vital for economic growth and human wellbeing. When managed well, renewable natural resources, watersheds, productive landscapes, and seascapes can provide the foundation for sustained inclusive growth, food security and poverty reduction. The ENV also contributes to sustainability of the entire World Bank portfolio through supporting implementation of the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and compliance with safeguards policies.For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/environment
ENV Practice consists of 10 regional units mapped to 6 world regions and one global unit based in Washington DC. ENV is part of the Sustainable Development Practice Group.
The Environment Unit of the Europe and Central Asia (ECA), SCAE2 is seeking to recruit an Environmental Economist to be based in Vienna, Austria. The selected candidate will report to ECA Regional Manager for Environment in charge of EU, Western Balkans and Eastern Europe Country Management Units.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will support a broad and evolving portfolio of lending and policy operations in the region. The Environmental Economist will work closely with Vienna-based staff and collaborate with staff based in Washington DC and country offices in the ECA region on operations and analytical work related to green growth, circular economy and climate change. As part of the operations and analytical work, the selected candidate will undertake the following:
• Contribute to analytical work on green growth agenda in the region, review of sector policies and legislation, revision of strategies and action plans.• Lead and facilitate the work on circular economy in the region, including consolidating inputs and preparing report(s) on circularity gap in EU member states, ensuring timely delivery of quality outputs in the area of solid waste management in Croatia, finalizing country assessments in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania, and contributing to ongoing related operations in other countries of the ECA region.• Undertake administration, reporting, and visibility related to the Climate Support Facility’s (CSF) Trust Fund’s Western Balkans Green Recovery Support Window, in close collaboration with the Climate Change Group. • Contribute to country climate / environmental assessments• Carry out economic analysis of investment projects• Review operational and analytical reports / documents from a green growth, climate change and natural resource management perspective and provide constructive comments to task team. • Undertake mainstreaming of climate action and natural resource management in the broader environment portfolio / pipeline, such as pollution management and transition to circular economy, sustainable forest/landscapes management, coastal/blue economy development, etc. • Contribute to design of actions (such as policies and regulations) for Development Policy Operations, appropriate to country context and compatible with their sustainable development priorities, that promote more sustainable and resilient growth paths and deliver local environmental sustainability and climate co-benefits.• Support development of integrated approaches and measures to address air quality management and climate change mitigation that contribute to making cities more livable and can be incorporated in Investment Lending Operations across sectors.• Prepare activity-related completion reports and project-related reports for management, as required. • Miscellaneous tasks as requested, in support of ECA ENB’s work program in the ECA region.
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

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental economics, environmental policy, natural resources management, or climate change, • A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience as a professional particularly related to the fields of environmental economics, environmental policy research and analysis, green growth, circular economy and climate change• Familiarity with the environment, green growth and climate contexts of ECA countries, EU legislation, strategies and directives• Good analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative data and information related to green growth, circular economy and climate change • Ability to manage and follow up on multiple work-streams simultaneously• Good verbal and written English skills are essential• Relevant field experience of working with and/or in relevant client countries will be a plus• Relevant work experience in international organizations, including the World Bank, will be a plus• Ability to work in a team and intercultural environment, with minimal supervision• Hands-on and action-oriented approach• Enthusiasm for, and commitment to development work• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, often on short notice

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.

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