E T Consultant - Water Economist

World Bank Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Bank Group in Washington, DC, is seeking an E T Consultant - Water Economist to strengthen empirical and policy-analytic capacity in water economics. The role focuses on estimating tariffs, subsidies, affordability, and service efficiency, translating findings into flagship reports and practical tools for client countries and WB teams.

Ideal candidates hold an advanced economics degree (Ph.D. preferred) with strong econometrics, data handling, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in economics, public policy, or related field.
• Ph.D. with substantial professional experience preferred.
• Proven ability to prepare major analytical reports for technical and policy audiences.
• Experience in the water sector is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement rigorous empirical analyses using diverse household, utility, fiscal, and geospatial data.
• Develop clear visualizations, maps, tables, and reproducible code.
• Analyze regulatory frameworks, tariffs, subsidies, and affordability.
• Translate analytic findings into actionable policy guidance for governments and partners.
• Collaborate with World Bank teams across regions.

Skills

Econometrics

Stata

R

Python

Data management & analysis

GIS / spatial econometrics

Tariff modeling / regulatory economics

Communication of quantitative results

English proficiency

Education

Advanced degree in economics / public policy / related field

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Stata

R

Python

Job description

E T Consultant - Water Economist

Job #: req38598
Organization: World Bank Group
Sector: Water/Sanitation
Grade: EC2
Term Duration: 1 year0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): French and Spanish
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

Objective:

The ETC2 Economist will strengthen the Water Knowledge Bank’s empirical and policy-analytical capacity. The economist will produce credible, policy-relevant evidence on water-sector regulation, tariff and subsidy reform, utility performance, affordability and financial sustainability, as well as the broader economics of water allocation, investment, and institutional reforms. The economist will also help convert analytical findings into flagship reports, actionable guidance, and operational tools for client countries and World Bank Group regional teams.

Expected Deliverables and Results:

• Reproducible empirical analyses and analytical products, supported by well-documented data, code, methods, and robustness checks.
• High-quality inputs to reports, policy notes, and operational products, including country and cross-country assessments of key water-sector economic and regulatory issues.
• Input to analytical tools, datasets, visualizations, guidance, and templates that support operational and policy decision-making.
• Timely responses to agreed requests for operational and analytical support.
• Specific deliverables, milestones, and timelines will be agreed through an annual work program and reviewed periodically with the practice manager and supervisor.

Technical Skills:

• Excellent command of econometrics and applied microeconomic methods
• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming package such as Stata, R, or Python.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, merge, validate, and analyze large and complex datasets.
• Experience with GIS, spatial econometrics, remote-sensing data, or spatial models is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of tariff modeling, cost-of-service analysis, regulatory benchmarking, affordability analysis, microsimulation, or utility financial modeling is highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate complex quantitative findings through clear graphics, maps, and presentations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in another language relevant to World Bank Group operations is an asset.

Duties and accountabilities:

A. Applied Empirical Research and Data Analysis

• Design and implement rigorous empirical analyses using household, utility, firm, administrative, fiscal, and geospatial data.
• Apply advanced econometric methods, including panel-data analysis and causal inference approaches using quasi-experimental and other credible identification strategies.
• Apply spatial econometric and geospatial methods where relevant to analyze geographic variation and spatial dimensions of water-sector outcomes.
• Develop clear visualizations, maps, tables, and analytical code that meet high standards of transparency and replicability.

B. Regulatory Economics, Tariffs, and Utility Performance

• Analyze regulatory and institutional frameworks and the design and implementation of economic instruments across water supply and sanitation, irrigation, and water resources management, including tariffs and user charges, abstraction and pollution charges, subsidies, water rights and allocation mechanisms, and other incentive-based instruments.
• Assess pricing, tariff, subsidy, and other reform options against objectives of economic efficiency, financial sustainability, and affordability and equity, taking account of institutional and political-economy conditions.
• Evaluate the distributional, fiscal, and performance implications of water-sector policies and reforms, including distributional impacts across income groups, users, sectors, and assess appropriate mechanisms for affordability, subsidy targeting, and social protection.

C. Knowledge Products and Operational Support

• Contribute to flagship reports, policy notes, country diagnostics, and operational guidance. Support the development and refinement of standardized analytical tools, methodologies, and scalable solutions related to regulation, tariffs, subsidies, and utility performance.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality analytical reports, including developing report narrative, synthesizing quantitative and qualitative evidence, drafting and revising substantive chapters, integrating peer-review comments, and producing publication-ready outputs for technical and senior policy audiences.
• Translate analytical findings into concise, actionable recommendations for governments, private investors, and development partners.
• Provide just-in-time analytical support to regional and country teams, including data diagnostics, tariff and affordability analysis, regulatory assessments, and inputs to project design and implementation.

D. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

• Work collaboratively with economists, water specialists, engineers, financial specialists, social inclusion, and operational teams across the World Bank Group.
• Present work at seminars, workshops, clinics, and knowledge-exchange events and respond constructively to peer review. Contribute to team learning.

Selection Criteria

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree in economics, applied economics, public policy, agricultural and resource economics, environmental economics, urban or regional economics, or a closely related field. A Ph.D. with substantial relevant professional experience at least 5 years beyond graduation is preferred. Strong record of applied empirical research and quantitative analysis relevant to development policy.
• Demonstrated experience of independently preparing and finalizing major analytical reports, policy reports, or comparable knowledge products, with excellent command of writing for both technical and senior decision-making audiences.
• Experience in the water sector is strongly preferred; relevant experience in energy, transport, or other regulated network industries will also be considered.
• Experience working with developing country data and policy institutions is an advantage.

Technical Skills:

• Excellent command of econometrics and applied microeconomic methods
• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming package such as Stata, R, or Python.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, merge, validate, and analyze large and complex datasets.
• Experience with GIS, spatial econometrics, remote-sensing data, or spatial models is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of tariff modeling, cost-of-service analysis, regulatory benchmarking, affordability analysis, microsimulation, or utility financial modeling is highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate complex quantitative findings through clear graphics, maps, and presentations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in another language relevant to World Bank Group operations is an asset.

Reporting and Working Arrangements:

The ETC Economist will be based in Washington, DC, and will report to the Practice Manager of the Policy and Regulations unit and the Global Lead of Water Economy and Jobs in the Water Knowledge Bank. The economist will work closely with global, regional, and country teams and may be required to undertake missions. The work program will combine planned analytical products with responsive support to operational needs.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working on fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV)-related contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

• Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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 World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.