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
Standards refer to rules that determine the agreed-upon ways of carrying out a particular task. (Ruth, 2021) These rules help to promote consistency and uniformity and lower coordination and transaction costs. Standards could be established in almost every social and economic area including food, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, labor, education, governance, technology, and healthcare.
Metrology pioneered the establishment of international standards in measuring length, area, weight, volume, temperature, and light. Standardizing weights and measures, currencies, and railway gauges were crucial constituents of economic development. With the increasing globalization and interconnectivity of the world, establishing global standards has become even more critical, and their impact on economic development is even more important.
International standards set by many organizations are voluntary and non-binding. However, the standards created by several international organizations, e.g., the International Standardization Organization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are widely adopted by countries and firms across the world. Extensive adoption of their standards accords these organizations a potent though invisible regulatory power, and the standards they establish hold immense potential to influence economic development.
World Development Report 2025: Standards and Development (WDR2025) will assess the impact of standards on development. The Report will classify and analyze various organizations involved in the standard-setting process. Additionally, it will look at the governance structure of some standard development organizations (SDOs) and explore how countries and firms influence the standard-setting process at some major SDOs. The Report will also examine the power of developed and affluent countries to control the standards-setting process, and will discuss the benefits of standards on economic development.
OBJECTIVE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Academic Lead will be responsible for guiding the content and direction of the WDR2025, including:
- Providing substantive leadership on the overall report structure, messaging, and quality of content;
- Providing substantive leadership on the academic literature that will guide the report;
- Assist the Director in leading and managing the report preparation team; and
- Developing partnerships with relevant expert academics in the field.
Selection Criteria
- Ph.D. in government, economics, finance, or a related field.
- Substantive knowledge of issues related to industrial organization (IO), regulation, compatibility standards and international development, and demonstrated ability to combine theoretical and empirical approaches;
- Substantive experience in academic teaching and advising at a reputable university;
- Excellent leadership and supervisory skills with an established track record in managing large and diverse teams, blending academic and policy experts;
- Demonstrated engagement skills, with both internal and external stakeholders;
- Strong written and oral communication skills with proven experience in dealing with external constituencies and expert groups.
This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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