Economist – Telecoms, Media and Technology

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI) is part of the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency. This department analyzes economic sectors with a view to identifying opportunities and solutions for private sector development; and works closely with IFC Operations in formulating sector priorities and strategies. It provides technical support to operations related to structuring, appraising, and monitoring investment and advisory projects and is responsible for reporting on IFC’s impact. The department implements the ex-ante project assessment framework (Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring- AIMM) for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, helps ensure high-quality economic support for IFC operations teams on strategies and projects, and develops sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development.

The CDI Department is offering a position for the unit working the TMT, Disruptive Technologies and Funds industry group (CDIDF). The Economist will focus on the TMT (Telecoms, Media, and Technology) vertical and will support the different facets of the department’s work program. This involves leading the implementation of the IFC impact measurement end-to-end system, including the AIMM framework, the monitoring and the ex-post evaluation work, and contributing to sector economics and econometric analytical work pertaining to the telecom and disruptive technology sectors. S/he will work closely with economists within the team and regional and IFC support department counterparts. S/he will also participate in a range of other corporate functions within CDI. 

Role & Responsibilities

• Articulate and measure the development and economic impact of: i) the Telecom and digital infrastructure industries (e.g., mobile services, broadband, data centers, and satellites); ii) the media and creative industries; and iii) the technology platforms (e.g., Infratech). The work will include working with IFC’s Investment Officers to collect and analyze project data, apply the appropriate frameworks based on data and research, create narratives that support the articulation of project impacts, and rate projects.
• Lead IFC’s Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring framework (AIMM) to assess the impacts on the above industries, including ex-ante assessments, project monitoring, XPSRs, and ex-post evaluation.
• Lead the day-to-day project management of development impact assessments in these industries, including quality oversight, stakeholder management, team supervision, participation in the IFC investment review process, analysis, and research. 
• Provide expert advice and support to operational teams and managers on trends, key risks, and sector analysis during the project life cycle.
• Lead economic and econometric analytical work on a variety of economic topics relevant to these sectors in collaboration with other economists and Operation; 
• Lead impact evaluation studies, project monitoring, and analyzing trends and developments in the telecom and disruptive tech sectors.
• Lead the contribution to various Strategy and Business Plan documents (e.g., Upstream, Strategy and Deep Dive Presentations, Country Private Sector Diagnostics, IFC’s support to WBG reports); support peer reviews of WBG and IFC papers on these topics.
• Supervise a team of junior economists and consultants to support the work plan above.

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