Economist / Fiscal policy expert CDC Foundation

This position, which is supported through a partnership of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC Foundation, Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, and the World Bank, is located in the Global Tobacco Control Branch, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Once hired by CDC, the incumbent will be seconded to the Health Nutrition and Population Unit, Human Development Network, World Bank, Washington DC, USA.

I. INTRODUCTION

The incumbent in this position serves as a senior health economist and fiscal policy expert. The incumbent serves as the major authoritative senior technical advisor on economics, taxation, public finance and tobacco control. An extensive knowledge of international tax administration is desired.

The economist/fiscal policy expert will strengthen the World Bank’s Health Nutrition and Population (HNP) agenda on tobacco taxation policy and integration. He/she will report to the Regional HNP Lead and will have four main areas of responsibility: (i) expand and develop new knowledge products and tools that are operationally relevant to the priority countries and regions; (ii) develop synergies with the other units at the World Bank in particular the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) units (that have responsibility for economic policy) in order to develop a successful approach to tobacco tax policy; and (iii) provide world-class advice and share global good practice and knowledge with partners/clients/Ministries of Finance on key tobacco taxation policy issues; and (iv) play a central role in building coalitions with other units and networks both inside and outside the World Bank, strengthening partnerships with local institutions, NGOs, academia, private sector, etc., and identifying a multi-sectoral relevant knowledge sharing agenda.

II. MAJOR DUTIES

1. Support and advance the World Bank’s work program to develop and implement taxation policies as a public health finance and economic development subject

Expand attention on public finance options for tobacco taxation and support the World Bank’s work in priority countries to develop relevant and progressive taxation policies for reducing tobacco consumption. Specifically,

• Support the World Bank’s country teams to highlight effective tobacco tax policy as both a public finance and economic development topic;
• Collaborate as members of the World Bank country teams in their dialogue with Ministries of Finance on taxation issues;
• Contribute to the formulation of specific strategies for priority countries, including the adoption of tobacco tax methods for health benefits, and the steps that are needed to enact and implement tobacco taxation measures and build capacity;
• Generate additional and country specific evidence as needed while working with World Bank’s economic teams;
• Provide analytic support and materials for integrating tobacco taxation into operations of global and regional development institutions; and
• Establish a systematic mechanism to track tobacco tax levels and benchmark against best practices in collaboration with ongoing work at WHO and other stakeholder institutions.

2. Conduct an assessment of countries’ commitment to tobacco taxation as an effective policy tool for both public health protection and public revenue generation

Analyze and interpret the economic impact of proposed taxation strategies. Work with partners (WHO) and country representatives from the Ministries of Finance to conduct economic evaluations of proposed or existing policies and programs and to interpret the findings of such studies. Conduct a projection of the economic impact of implementing such policies for both public health and the economy. Priority countries include the 15 Bloomberg Initiative countries and within these, emphases will be given to the top 5 high-burden countries and their corresponding regions (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, and Russian Federation).

Develop agency guidelines for conducting and presenting economic analyses and effectively collaborate with national governments-ministries of finance, international organizations (WHO), and other groups (academic institutions, non-governmental agencies) to promote the adoption of effective tobacco taxation and fiscal policy measures.

3. Build country and partner capacity on the design and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of tobacco taxation policies

Collaborate with partners (government and non government) to develop an appropriate framework to systematically document the trends and impact of taxation policies that can be replicated, disseminated and expanded to other countries.

4. Training, Technical Assistance and Meetings

Represent the World Bank at high-level policy task forces, country missions and other international interagency committees, works with other agency representatives in the UN systems, develop proposals to set priorities, produce analytical reports and make policy decisions.

Represent HNP at professional meetings and conferences dealing with tobacco economic issues.
Serve as a key HNP focus for the development of training methods and consulting with countries, academic institutions, and other national and international organizations on the development of training and technical assistance programs.

Perform other duties as assigned.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

• Post graduate degree in economics, public policy, or international affairs; PhD desirable, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent command of applied economic theory, econometrics, taxation, fiscal policy, and demonstrated experience in the area of international tax administration.
• Strong diplomatic skills and success working in teams both as a team member and as a team leader.
• High quality of written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to teamwork and knowledge sharing, and experience working with multidisciplinary teams on complex projects across different sectors.
• Strong client orientation with commitment to results, operational experience, and ability to contribute to strategic thinking.
• Understanding of policies and practices related to taxation and broad knowledge of fiscal policy. Knowledge of developing country conditions related to economics and tobacco a plus.

Knowledge Required by the Position

• Economics, particularly microeconomic underpinnings and political economy of taxation applicable to all matters related to the analysis of taxation and of relevance to tax and fiscal policy makers.
• Strong skills in economic evaluation, econometrics and decision analysis
• Knowledge and skill to conceive, design, and direct methodological studies to determine optimal procedures for measurement and collection of taxation.
• Economics of tobacco control and understanding of types of tax structures in various countries and impact of tax structure on price, revenues and tobacco use.
• Multi-lateral organization (World Bank, WHO), its functions and operations.

Supervision

Works under the broad general guidance of the Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Anchor of the World Bank’s Human Development Network and Poverty and Economic management unit (PREM) units in the Regions and with Country Directors who will provide insight on program direction and program policy. Supervision will be provided by the HNP Regional Lead, with regular communication from the HNP anchor. Additionally, the regional economists from PREM will serve as additional evaluation supervisors.

Work Environment

Most of the work is performed in typical office and meeting room settings. Office location: In principle World Bank, Washington DC, USA. However, candidates already living in the following countries will also be considered: Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russian Federation, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine or Viet Nam. Domestic and international travel is required (at least 50% of time). Travel includes the normal risks and discomforts associated with automobile, rapid transit, and air transportation.

Duration

One year (2011-2012) with the possibility of being extended for at least another year.

For inquiries or to apply, please submit resume or CV directly to Connie Granoff, Coordinator of Financial Servicers, Tobacco Control Initiatives, CDC Foundation, at cgranoff@cdcfoundation.org.