Principal, Regional Infrastructure Economist (Western Balkans and Croatia), Belgrade

 

Closing date: Monday, 2 May 2016

Principal, Regional Infrastructure Economist (Western Balkans and Croatia)
Ref: 50038256
Country: Serbia
City: Belgrade
Department: Office of the Chief Economist
Business Unit: OCE
Closing date for applications: 2 May 2016
Role Overview
The Economics, Policy, Governance (EPG) Department: consists of a team of around 50 economists, political counsellors, economic analysts and support staff. It contributes to the operational policy engagements and strategy work of the Bank and provides intellectual leadership on the
development of a well-functioning private sector and market economy in the EBRD's region of operation, which comprises all countries in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, Turkey, Mongolia, and most recently Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia, as well as Cyprus and Greece. EPG works closely with the Banking Department: in structuring, appraising and monitoring investment projects and pursuing policy dialogue opportunities that advance the transition to a well-functioning market economy. EPG also works with Banking and other departments on coordinating the Bank's policy initiatives, contributes to the development of country and sector strategies and supports the Bank's operations by monitoring macroeconomic developments and risks.
We are looking for a sector economist to contribute to the design of investment projects and the policy reform agenda in the infrastructure sector (transport and energy) in the Western Balkans and Croatia. The economist will engage with policy makers in the region and take part in structural reform analysis and policy advice . This position will be initially based in London HQ, but within 12 months, would be on assignment based in the EBRD office in Belgrade (the regional hub). Based in Belgrade the economist will be part of the EPG's infrastructure and energy team as well as the Western Balkans regional hub.
Although primarily responsible for infrastructure sector and reform-related policy dialogue for this region, the economist will also (i) support other relevant sectors by accessing relevant expertise within EPG and expert networks across the Bank; (ii) support work on design and appraisal of key investment projects in the sector in an effort to link policy reforms to the Bank's infrastructure investments; (iii) support the Lead Regional Economist on more general sector/macroeconomic analysis and on policy engagements outside of the infrastructure sector across each sub-region; and (iv) Participate in public conferences and meetings with authorities, and presentation of the Bank's strategies, and assessments at such events, for which occasional travel will be required.

The economist will work closely with banking colleagues in each of the Bank's offices in Serbia and elsewhere in the WB region as well as with the Infrastructure Business Group's (IBG) Infrastructure Policy Unit and the Energy Business Group (EBG). He/she will be part of the Sector Economics and Policy (SEP) team in EPG and report to the Energy and Infrastructure Lead Sector Economist based in London; with a second reporting line to the Lead Regional Economist based in Belgrade. He/she will work also in close coordination with the IBG, EBG and the Office of the General Counsel's Legal Transition Team (LTT). Senior Banking colleagues in the RO and in the sector team in London will be involved in setting a work programme and giving feedback on performance.
Large infrastructure includes both Transport (roads, railways, ports, and aviation) and Energy (generation, transmission and distribution). The economist would support municipal and environmental infrastructure services (water and wastewater, urban transport, district heating/cooling and facilities management). While many infrastructure projects are in the public sector, the expert is expected to provide advice and strategic inputs which support development of commercial structures for infrastructure, such as PPP projects in the region. His/her main work includes project design, appraisal and monitoring; policy dialogue on sector reform issues; assessment of progress on infrastructure sector reforms in the EBRD Countries of Operation; the development of EBRD country and sector strategies; and managing internal and external relations on infrastructure sector policy issues.
This position is advertised as a regular appointment at the Principal Level.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Key responsibilities and deliverables will include

• Provide intellectual leadership on sector analytics, in particular EPG's diagnostic studies (Private Sector Development and Investment Climate). Contribute to the Assessments of Transition Challenges (ATC) in the infrastructure sector in each of the COOs in the regions he/she covers, which are used to identify operational priorities in sector and country strategies;
• Engage in Policy Dialogue activities, including carrying out structured engagement with the Governments and other stakeholders on sector reforms in the energy/infrastructure sector; develop and lead reform-related Technical Assistance assignments in the energy/infrastructure sector. In this regard, assist the Infrastructure Business Group's Infrastructure Policy Unit and the LTT with the planning, implementation and follow-up discussions related to Policy Dialogue activities, alongside EPG's sector economists and the Lead Regional Economist;
• In line with the Bank's Transition mandate, engage with Banking project teams to design and appraise selected key investment and Technical Cooperation (TC) projects, with a view to increase their transition potential and reducing the associated risks; recommend actions to strengthen the transition impact of Bank operations;
• Help bankers and policy makers to develop PPP projects, their project design and risk allocation;
• Structure, and potentially manage, TC projects, as well as engagement with the Donors;
• Monitor and assess infrastructure reform progress in the Bank's countries of operation;
• On occasion, represent the Bank at sector level and contribute technical input to relevant fora (conferences, dialogues with IFI counterparts, government officials, think tanks, etc.) to develop and spread best practices;
• Support the Lead Regional Economist on more general sector /macroeconomic analysis and policy dialogue engagement;
• Prepare briefing notes and presentations on infrastructure related issues for the VP Policy and Partnership and the EPG MD's contributions to ExCom, OpsCom, SP Com and RiskCom deliberations;
• The job will require extensive travel to the assignment countries from the regional hub of Belgrade, Serbia.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in economics or related field from a leading university; a PhD in economics and/or a strong focus on microeconomics/regulatory economics would be an advantage;
• Strong infrastructure sector knowledge and work experience, gained for example through full-time employment in a relevant governmental institution, sector regulator, consultancy company, think tank or academia;
• Experience in regulatory and infrastructure policy issues facing transition economies and emerging markets;
• Investment projects' experience and ability to understand credit analysis would be advantages;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of one of the local languages would be a strong advantage.
• Proven analytical and quantitative skills;
• Familiarity with the EBRD region of operations, especially the countries of the Western Balkans region and Croatia (particularly through work or study experience in the region), would be an advantage.

Diversity Matters
Diversity is one of the Bank's core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment.
The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities.