Economist, Health Job #: req33728 Organization: World Bank Sector: Health/Nutrition/Population Grade: GF Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Vienna,Austria Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/31/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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
The World Bank Group has set itself an ambitious goal to reach 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030. To reach this goal and help countries achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), at the global level, the focus is on three core elements: (i) expanding focus from maternal and child health to include coverage for a person’s lifetime including non-communicable diseases and long-term care; (ii) expanding operations to hard-to-reach areas, including remote villages, cities and countries, and (iii) working with governments to cut unnecessary fees and financial barriers to care.
To help ECA accelerate progress, future portfolio investments and engagements are proposed along five strategic pillars, based on regional priorities and gaps. These are – (1) Healthy Aging, (2) Health Financing, (3) Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response, (4) Climate Resilience, and (5) Digital Health. These pillars align with the broader goals of achieving UHC and are expected to address demographic transitions and enhance health systems resilience while promoting economic stability and reducing inequities.The HNP GP unit in ECA includes staff members in Washington, DC, Vienna and many country offices. The ECA HNP Global Practice works with and across multiple sectors, in recognition of the fact that HNP outcomes often depend on actions that lie outside the HNP sector. Accordingly, a capacity to work across GP boundaries, forge coalitions and influence multi-practice solutions is essential for achieving the major objectives of improving HNP outcomes.
The Health Specialist/ Health Economist will contribute to the World Bank’s HNP portfolio and support the broader People agenda in ECA as needed, including through ongoing policy dialogue with Government counterparts and partners, assist in preparation of analytical products, and contribute to preparation and implementation of operations in the sector.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Health Specialist/Economist will report to the HNP Practice Manager and will be responsible for the following tasks and duties:
• Support sectoral or multi-sectoral teams in (reimbursable) business/pipeline development, program formulation, preparation and supervision of lending operations and analytical and advisory services in health and long-term care systems and services. • Contribute to projects in a dynamic environment, and high-impact publications, including just-in-time briefs and reports to meet client demand, and new ideas to stimulate new ways of meeting long-standing challenges in Health Systems in ECA.• Initiate innovations in HNP services and products, and support teams that incubate new services and products. Contribute towards policy dialogue with clients on complex reform issues in the health and long-term care sector. • Provide technical contributions and thought leadership on aging and long-term care reforms, including the development of service delivery models, financing mechanisms, and workforce strategies tailored to older populations.• Support development of innovative strategies for integrating long-term care with broader health and social protection systems, including work on healthy aging across the life course.• Proactively take the lead on knowledge-sharing and capacity building events.
Selection Criteria
• Graduate degrees (Master’s degree required, PhD, MD or equivalent would be an asset) in public health, epidemiology, health economics, health financing, nutrition, business administration or professional degree (medicine, nursing). Candidates without a core qualification in at least one of these domains need not apply. Candidates with combined degrees will have an added advantage.• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Health Nutrition and Population Research and/or program implementation.• Technical expertise desirable in the areas of Long-Term Care, Health Economics, Health Financing, Nutrition and Human Resources for Health, with an emphasis on designing and implementing policies and systems to meet the needs of aging populations.• Familiarity with demographic trends and policy responses related to population aging in the ECA region is a strong asset.• Experience working with demanding clients to build capacity and engage in dialogue on HNP issues and health and long-term care service delivery. • Experience working with multiple development partners to harmonize support for Government-led programming. • Experience in carrying out technical assistance activities designed to support the development and strengthening of HNP programs.• Strong quantitative skills, with demonstrated experience using health, demographic, or LTC-related data to inform policy dialogue or program design.• Proven ability to carry out independent policy-relevant research, translate theory into practice, and adapt professional knowledge and technical skills to analyze, diagnose and propose solutions to policy issues and challenges.• Ability to function well independently, handle multiple tasks, meet changing priorities, and deliver high-quality analysis and work on-time.• Strong interpersonal, communications and diplomatic skills.• Ability to analyze data, prepare documents on complex subjects, speak, and write persuasively, and present ideas clearly and concisely.• Demonstrate client orientation: balance a responsive and proactive approach to meeting client needs.• Track record of successful partner engagement and collaborating within teams and across organizations to deliver high quality products.• Knowledge of and experience with the health and long-term care sector in ECA – including institutional set up, healthcare delivery management, health system context and reforms, and community engagement.• Fluency in English (excellent oral and written communication skills) is essential, with ability to prepare documents on complex subjects, speak and write persuasively, and present ideas clearly and concisely.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – 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.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.