Senior Poverty Economist (SPE)

However, the challenge of reducing poverty remains one of the country’s most pressing issues. While national poverty rates may be close to pre-crisis levels, this still means that about 40 million people are living below the national poverty line. Moreover, although Indonesia is now a middle-income country, the share of those living on less than US$2-a-day is similar to that of the region’s low-income countries such as Vietnam. The number of people living below US$2-a-day in Indonesia comes close to equaling all those living on or below US$2-a-day in all of the rest of East Asia besides China. The Indonesian government is committed to the objective of reducing poverty in its medium-term plan (RPJM) for 2005-09. In addition to signing on to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for 2015, in its medium-term plan the government has laid out its own key poverty reduction objectives for 2009.

The World Bank has supported the Government poverty agenda under the Indopov project which was jointed financed by the World Bank and DFID in 2003 with a three part agenda that reviewed and gave policy advice on pro-poor growth, pro-poor spending and services for the poor. After four year of support from DFID TF, currently poverty related activity is funded by a Dutch Trust Fund with focus on a selected set of priority activities designed to improve the efficiency of spending and policies in order to achieve poverty reduction and development results. The World Bank worked closely with the Government on its overall Poverty Strategy (through the medium-term plan and annual action plans), as well as growth and service agendas. Major reports are: Poverty Assessment Report “Making the New Indonesia Work for the Poor”, Making Services Work for the Poor Report, and the Rural Investment Climate Report. Current efforts include assistance on Conditional Cash Transfers, improved poverty targeting and monitoring and evaluation. The Government has indicated that this work is a very high priority, and solicits continuous assistance from World Bank.

Specific Responsibilities
The position will involve continuous interaction with government high officials, universities/research think tanks, other donor agencies, and counterparts within and across sector and countries/regions, networks, CMUs and other units integral to delivery of the program. The staff will (i) provide intellectual leadership and high-quality technical advice on matters related to poverty reduction strategies, poverty analysis and evaluations of key poverty programs; (ii) lead the Poverty Team in undertaking rigorous applied research and technical assistances on strategic, analytical, and policy matters concerning poverty and labor market problems in Indonesia; (iii) manage the day to day activities and supporting Trust Funds.

Selection Criteria

• PhD in Economics and at least 8 years of relevant work experience.
• State of the art knowledge in Poverty economic and ability to address issues at broader level.
• Strong analytical skills in economics and excellent command of econometrics.
• Successful experience in working together with government agencies.
• In depth knowledge of Indonesia poverty issues and challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the capacity to influence across organizational and multicultural boundaries.
• Ability to promote client/beneficiary participation and commitment to ensuring implementation and longer-term sustainability of projects/programs.
• In depth understanding of Bank policies and practices in related economic/country area.
• Effective verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to lead a team of professionals in the execution of major projects/tasks.
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and knowledge sharing, and working with multidisciplinary teams.

Reporting
The local-hired Senior Poverty Economist will lead the Poverty Team as part of the PREM unit in the World Bank Office Jakarta. He/She will be reporting to PREM Lead Economist at Jakarta Office.

Job Application
Applicant shall submit written application including cover letter, CV, and references (at least three names with full contact details) in an envelope and indicate the position code on the right top corner of the envelope.

Application should be submitted no later than 23 May 2008 to:

Human Resources Unit
The World Bank Office Jakarta
Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) Building, Tower 2, 13 th Floor
Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52-53, Jakarta 12190.

Application will be treated strictly confidential and only short-listed candidates will receive responses. Late submissions will not be considered; incoming applications through e-mail and phone inquiries will not be accepted