Short-Term Consultant - Economist

Interested applicants should submit their application to Muhammad Khudadad Chattha, mchattha@worldbank.org and Xinyue Wang - xwang23@worldbank.org latest by 7 October 2024. Please use the subject title “STC - Economist_[Your Name]”. The application should include (i) a motivation letter, (ii) CV, (iii) academic transcripts and (iv) a sole-authored (if possible quantitative) writing sample. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a writing test and video interview.

The Macroeconomics Team at the World Bank is seeking a Short-Term Consultant (STC) to support our analytical efforts for Saudi Arabia's economic growth and diversification agenda. Saudi Arabia is undergoing significant economic transformations to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues. The STC will play a pivotal role in analyzing economic trends, contributing to policy recommendations, and supporting the team's objectives.

Context

Saudi Arabia is an oil-rich country, the largest economy in the MENA region and the 18th largest in the world. At peak prices, over a decade ago, oil accounted for about 45 percent of the Kingdom’s GDP, 87 percent of exports and 92 percent of government revenues. Since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made significant progress in its diversification through a reduction of the oil sector’s contribution across revenue, export, and output. Today, the oil sector contributes around 38 percent of GDP.

In 2022 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the fastest growing G20 economy at 8.7 percent year-on-year. Real GDP per-capita (constant 2015 US$) stood at $21,139 in 2022, at the highest level since the early 1980s, after bouncing back from a low reached because of the pandemic and the associated decline in oil prices. Saudi Vision 2030 envisages a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.

Achieving these goals requires a dynamic private and public sector, an effective and efficient government, and policies that are conducive to economic growth and provide for the most vulnerable. The Government of Saudi Arabia has explicitly recognized the need to diversify the economy away from oil and foster private sector growth with the aim of creating skilled jobs for Saudi citizens. The government has also attached high priority to mitigating the negative impact of reform policies as well as of external shocks on citizens, particularly on the poor.

The World Bank has been actively supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in its diversification and economic growth agenda of the Vision 2030.

Tasks and Deliverables

The Economist would be responsible for the following tasks and deliverables:

1. Data management, cleaning, and processing: Perform data cleaning, processing, and analysis using statistical software such as R, and/or Stata for the Saudi Arabia Macroeconomics team.
2. Running analyses: Conduct descriptive analyses and run econometric models based on client demand – the exact scope of the analyses will be defined downstream.
3. Collaboration with broader Macroeconomics and country team: Collaborate with team members to integrate data analysis into project workflows.
4. Reports and presentations: Prepare and present analytical reports, presentations, and summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
5. Client dialogue: Provide support and inputs related to client dialogue.
6. Other support: Provide any other analytical support required by the team.

Qualifications

The Economist should possess:

1. Academic specialization: At least a master’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, or a related field with strong quantitative research skills (PhD or PhD candidate preferred).
2. Experience: The candidate must have demonstrated technical expertise in econometric analysis, data cleaning, visualizations, including proficiency in R and/or STATA for 2 years.
3. Writing skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are critical.
4. Language skills: Fluency in Arabic is an advantage but not required for the role.
5. Interpersonal skills: Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in teams and with government counterparts. A high degree of self-management and autonomy is required.

Time Frame, Working and Reporting Arrangement

The Research Analyst / Economist will work with other team members in the Macroeconomics team based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will report to the Senior Country Economist. He/she will work for 150 days. Remote work is possible.

The salary will be commensurate with World Bank standards and be based on the qualifications and the experience of the candidate. All payments and reimbursements will be based on submitted deliverables of the consultant. The consultant will use her/his personal cell phone and a laptop for the duration of the assignment expect with the use of confidential data. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.