Senior Economist, Health Job #: req34060 Organization: World Bank Sector: Health/Nutrition/Population Grade: GG Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 8/27/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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.
Background/General description
The Pandemic Fund is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnership among donor countries, co-investors (countries that are eligible to receive funding from the Pandemic Fund), multilateral development banks (MDBs), other international organizations, philanthropies, foundations and civil society organizations. The Fund finances critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.ย
The Pandemic Fund is governed by its Governing Board and supported by a Secretariat hosted by the World Bank. The World Bank also serves as the Fundโs Trustee and as one of its Implementing Entities, through which resources are channeled to eligible countries and regional bodies. Other Implementing Entities include additional MDBs and international organizations.
The Secretariat is staffed by a dynamic, high-performing team based at the World Bankโs headquarters in Washington, DC. Its work is organized around five core workstreams: (1) Governance and Board Operations; (2) Grant Operations, Portfolio Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E); (3) Partnerships; (4) Communications; and (5) Support to the Technical Advisory Panel.
The Grant Operations, Portfolio Management, and M&E team is responsible for designing, developing, and launching new funding rounds and calls for proposals for the Boardโs approvalโworking in close consultation with the Board, its Committees, and other key partners and stakeholders. Further, the team supports the Board in overseeing the Fundโs large and growing portfolio, which currently includes 47 projects across 75 countries in six geographic regions. This includes regular monitoring of project implementation, portfolio analysis, results tracking, learning and evaluation, and reporting. In addition, the team leads the implementation of Board-approved operational policies and procedures.
The Secretariat is looking for an energetic, resourceful, and qualified Senior Health Economist with deep experience working at the intersection of global health and development financing to join the Grant Operations, Portfolio Management and M&E team. The selected candidate will work with Secretariat leadership and other members of the team and in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality results.ย
Duties and Accountabilities
โข Monitoring and Evaluating Results and Impact: Supporting the implementation of the Pandemic Fundโs Results Frameworks to track results from the Fundโs large and growing projects portfolio, measure progress, and ensure accountability for results. Analyzing the economic and health outcomes of Pandemic Fund-supported projects to identify what works best and inform the design of future funding rounds/allocation modalities.ย ย
โข Reporting and Dissemination: Producing high-quality reports, presentations, and publications to communicate findings to stakeholders, including policymakers, donor agencies, and partner organizations.
โข Economic Analysis and Modeling: Applying economic principles to assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of different types of interventions, helping the Pandemic Fund design and prioritize funding allocation modalities for maximizing impact.ย
โข Resource Mobilization: Working closely with the Fundโs Partnerships team, supporting efforts to attract additional funding from donors by demonstrating the strong economic returns and health gains generated by Pandemic Fund-supported investments.
โข Technical and policy guidance: Providing technical and policy guidance on strategies for maximizing co-investments (domestic resource mobilization from eligible countries) and co-financing from MDBs and other international partners, as well as strategies and dynamic criteria to guide the graduation of countries out of recipient status.
โข Collaboration and Partnerships: Working closely with Secretariat leadership and teams, Implementing Entities (MDBs, Global Health Initiatives and other international organizations), and country partners to ensure coordinated and effective assistance.ย
โข Board papers, reviews and evaluations: Drafting papers for the Board; contributing to reviews and evaluations of the Pandemic Fund and overseeing external consultants; and providing inputs to relevant analytical reports on health financing prepared by partners.ย
โข Representing the Pandemic Fund: Attending international meetings and conferences, representing the organization's expertise and impact, and advocating for evidence-based decision-making.ย
โข Carrying out any other duties, as needed.
Selection Criteria
โข Technical Expertise and Analytical Skills: Advanced degree (Masterโs or PhD) in Health Economics, Economics, Public Health, or a related field, with at least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in health economics, policy analysis, and program evaluation within the context of global health and development. Demonstrated ability to apply analytical rigor to complex development challenges.
โข Strong Analytical and Quantitative Capabilities: Proven skills in economic modeling, statistical analysis, and data interpretation, with the ability to draw policy-relevant insights from quantitative and qualitative evidence.
โข Effective Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex economic and technical information into clear, actionable messages for diverse audiences, including senior decision-makers, operational teams, and non-technical stakeholders.
โข Client Orientation and Results Focus: Demonstrated track record of leading or contributing to the delivery of high-impact programs or analytical work, with strong results orientation and the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to evolving priorities.
โข Team Leadership and Collaboration: Proven ability to lead or work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, manage team dynamics, and collaborate across units and with clients and partners. Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships in multicultural and multi-institutional settings.
โข Strategic and Operational Understanding of Global Health: Deep knowledge of health systems, health financing, and global health priorities in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding of the development context and key actors, including multilateral and bilateral partners.
โข Operational Familiarity: Knowledge of World Bank Group operational policies and procedures and/or familiarity with the operational frameworks of other Implementing Entities would be an advantage.
โข Drive for Excellence and Innovation: High levels of personal initiative, self-motivation, and accountability. Demonstrated ability to solve problems creatively, think strategically, and contribute to institutional learning.
โข Adaptability and Resilience: A โcan doโ attitude with flexibility, dependability, and resilience in managing competing demands and navigating complexity.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.
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