empleo

WASHINGTON, January 18, 2017 – The World Bank Board of Directors approved two loans totaling US$ 100 million yesterday to improve the transparency and efficiency of the tax administration in Guatemala and to improve urban infrastructure and prevent violence in the Gran Ciudad del Sur Commonwealth in the south. “These projects are extremely important for Guatemala since they will support two key pillars of the country’s development: to improve the tax administration and to reduce violence, which in turn are crucial for reducing poverty,” said Guatemalan Finance Minister Julio Héctor Estrada. The “Project for Tax Administration Transparency and Efficiency,” with a loan of US$55 million, will work to increase compliance with tax and customs obligations by individual and corporate contributors. To this end, the project will support the transparency, integrity and institutional development of the Tax Administration Authority (SAT), and will strengthen tax collection mechanisms and customs operations. Another objective is to strengthen comprehensive fiscal intelligence, control processes and the new tax appeal system, all with a view to improving institutional efficiency and transparency. This will contribute to increasing tax collection. Guatemala has one of the lowest tax-collection rates in Latin America and the world (10.2 percent of GDP, in comparison with an average of 16.9 percent for Latin America and the Caribbean).   Additionally, the “Project for Urban Infrastructure and Violence Prevention,” will allocate US$45 million to better living conditions in the Gran Ciudad del Sur Commonwealth. Specifically, this project seeks to improve access to services and basic infrastructure and to mitigate the key risk factors for crime and violence. According to World Bank statistics, violence cost Guatemala 10 percent of its GDP in 2014. “While Guatemala faces major challenges such as high rates of poverty and inequality, the country has enormous potential to address its challenges and to offer a better future to its citizens. Projects such as those approved strive to provide better opportunities to vulnerable populations,” said Homa-Zahra Fotouhi, World Bank representative in Guatemala. Planned activities include small-scale investments in urban and peri-urban infrastructure; capacity-building of municipalities; implementation of baseline surveys to identify the most affected communities; improvement of municipal records offices; strengthening of inter-municipal coordination; and, support to crime and violence observatories. Contacts: Washington: Marcela Sánchez-Bender, +1-202-473-5863, msanchezbender@worldbank.org Guatemala: Àngels Masó, (503) 7860.8019 amaso@worldbank.org Learn more about the work of the World Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean: www.worldbank.org/lac   Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/BancoMundialLAC   News Release 2017/147/LAC  

WASHINGTON, 12 de janeiro de 2017 – Carlos Végh é o novo economista-chefe do Banco Mundial para a América Latina e o Caribe. Végh, de nacionalidade uruguaia, supervisionará uma equipe de economistas encarregada de proporcionar liderança intelectual, análise econômica e assessoria sobre as questões de desenvolvimento enfrentadas pela Região da América Latina e do Caribe (ALC). "É uma grande honra assumir este cargo e somar meu aporte à liderança intelectual de meus antecessores", afirmou Végh. "Apesar do significativo avanço econômico e social nos últimos anos, a região provavelmente enfrentará tempos difíceis no futuro próximo. No longo prazo, a ALC precisará consolidar os ganhos passados e buscar novos avanços em uma ampla gama de áreas. Espero poder contribuir para esse processo." Végh, que assumirá o posto no dia 1º de fevereiro, é atualmente  professor da cadeira Fred H. Sanderson de Economia Internacional na Escola de Estudos Avançados Internacionais Johns Hopkins (SAIS) e Pesquisador Associado no Escritório Nacional de Pesquisa Econômica dos Estados Unidos (NBER). Anteriormente, foi professor de economia e vice-presidente de Estudos de Graduação da Universidade da Califórnia em Los Angeles (UCLA), e antes disso presidente do Programa de Estudos Comparativos e Tópicos do Centro Latino-Americano da UCLA. Végh substitui o equatoriano Augusto de la Torre, que foi economista-chefe para a ALC desde setembro de 2008 e se aposentou no final do ano passado. As pesquisas de Végh sobre política monetária e fiscal em países emergentes e em desenvolvimento são de grande influência e são apresentadas com regularidade na imprensa financeira internacional. Carlos Végh contribuiu para vários relatórios do Banco Mundial, como o relatório Perspectivas Econômicas Globais. Carlos Végh também foi pesquisador visitante no Banco Central do Chile, no Banco da República da Colômbia e no Banco do México. Durante as décadas de 1980 e 1990, ocupou vários cargos de pesquisa no Fundo Monetário Internacional e no Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento, em Washington D.C. Atualmente, trabalha como editor-chefe da revista Economía, uma publicação da Associação Econômica Latino-Americana e Caribenha. Carlos Végh já ocupou outros postos editoriais em periódicos especializados como IMF Economic Review, Journal of Development Economics e Journal of International Economics, entre outros. É Doutor em Economia pela Universidade de Chicago e Bacharel em Economia pela American University, em Washington D.C., e pela Universidade da República, no Uruguai. — Saiba mais sobre o trabalho do Banco Mundial na América Latina e no Caribe: www.worldbank.org/lac Visite-nos no Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Atualize-se via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC Assista o nosso canal no YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BancoMundialLAC  

WASHINGTON, 12 de enero de 2017 – Carlos Végh, de nacionalidad uruguaya, es el nuevo economista jefe del Banco Mundial para América Latina y el Caribe. Végh supervisará un equipo de economistas encargados de proporcionar liderazgo intelec…

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2017 – Carlos Végh, a Uruguayan national, is the new World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean. Végh will oversee a team of economists charged with providing intellectual leadership, economic analysis, and advice on the development issues facing Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Region. “It is a great honor to take this position and build on the intellectual leadership of my predecessors,” said Végh. “Despite significant economic and social progress in recent years, the region is likely to face some challenging times in the near future. In the long run, LAC will need to consolidate past gains and strive for further improvements in a broad range of areas. I look forward to contributing to this process.”    Végh, who will start in his new role on February 1st, is currently the Fred H. Sanderson Professor of International Economics at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Previously he also served as Professor of Economics and Vice-Chair of Undergraduate Studies at UCLA, and before that as Chair of the Program in Comparative and Topical Studies at UCLA’s Latin American Center.  Végh replaces Ecuadorean economist Augusto de la Torre, who served as Chief Economist for LAC since September 2008 and retired at the end of last year.  Végh’s research on monetary and fiscal policy in emerging and developing countries has been highly influential and is regularly featured in the international financial press. He has contributed to several World Bank reports such as the Global Economic Prospects.  He has also served as visiting scholar in Banco Central de Chile, Colombia’s Banco de la República and Banco de México. During the 1980s and 1990s Végh served in different research positions at the International Monetary Fund and the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington D.C.   He is currently editor in chief of Economía, a publication of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association. He has also held other editorial positions in specialized publications such as the IMF Economic Review, the Journal of Development Economics and the Journal of International Economics, among others.   He holds a doctorate degree on Economics from the University of Chicago and bachelor’s degree on economics from American University in Washington DC and Universidad de la República in Uruguay. — Learn more about the work of the World Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean: www.worldbank.org/lac    Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank  Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/BancoMundialLAC    

WASHINGTON, January 18, 2017 – The World Bank Board of Directors approved two loans totaling US$ 100 million yesterday to improve the transparency and efficiency of the tax administration in Guatemala and to improve urban infrastructure and prevent violence in the Gran Ciudad del Sur Commonwealth in the south. “These projects are extremely important for Guatemala since they will support two key pillars of the country’s development: to improve the tax administration and to reduce violence, which in turn are crucial for reducing poverty,” said Guatemalan Finance Minister Julio Héctor Estrada. The “Project for Tax Administration Transparency and Efficiency,” with a loan of US$55 million, will work to increase compliance with tax and customs obligations by individual and corporate contributors. To this end, the project will support the transparency, integrity and institutional development of the Tax Administration Authority (SAT), and will strengthen tax collection mechanisms and customs operations. Another objective is to strengthen comprehensive fiscal intelligence, control processes and the new tax appeal system, all with a view to improving institutional efficiency and transparency. This will contribute to increasing tax collection. Guatemala has one of the lowest tax-collection rates in Latin America and the world (10.2 percent of GDP, in comparison with an average of 16.9 percent for Latin America and the Caribbean).   Additionally, the “Project for Urban Infrastructure and Violence Prevention,” will allocate US$45 million to better living conditions in the Gran Ciudad del Sur Commonwealth. Specifically, this project seeks to improve access to services and basic infrastructure and to mitigate the key risk factors for crime and violence. According to World Bank statistics, violence cost Guatemala 10 percent of its GDP in 2014. “While Guatemala faces major challenges such as high rates of poverty and inequality, the country has enormous potential to address its challenges and to offer a better future to its citizens. Projects such as those approved strive to provide better opportunities to vulnerable populations,” said Homa-Zahra Fotouhi, World Bank representative in Guatemala. Planned activities include small-scale investments in urban and peri-urban infrastructure; capacity-building of municipalities; implementation of baseline surveys to identify the most affected communities; improvement of municipal records offices; strengthening of inter-municipal coordination; and, support to crime and violence observatories. Contacts: Washington: Marcela Sánchez-Bender, +1-202-473-5863, msanchezbender@worldbank.org Guatemala: Àngels Masó, (503) 7860.8019 amaso@worldbank.org Learn more about the work of the World Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean: www.worldbank.org/lac   Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/BancoMundialLAC   News Release 2017/147/LAC  

WASHINGTON, 18 de ENERO, 2017 –El Directorio Ejecutivo del Banco Mundial (BM) aprobó ayer dos créditos por un valor total de US$100 millones para mejorar la transparencia y la eficiencia de la Administración Tributaria en Guatemala, así como para mejorar la infraestructura urbana y prevenir la violencia en la Mancomunidad Gran Ciudad del Sur, al sur del país. “Estos proyectos son de gran importancia para Guatemala ya que buscan apoyar dos pilares fundamentales para el desarrollo del país como son la mejora de la administración tributaria y la reducción de la violencia, cruciales, a su vez, para reducir la pobreza,” dijo Julio Héctor Estrada, Ministro de Finanzas de Guatemala. El “Proyecto de Transparencia y Eficiencia de la Administración Tributaria”, por US$55 millones, busca aumentar el cumplimiento de las obligaciones tributarias y aduaneras por parte de los contribuyentes individuales y las empresas. Para ello, el proyecto va a apoyar la transparencia, la integridad y el desarrollo institucional de la Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria (SAT), así como el fortalecimiento de las funciones de recaudación de los impuestos y la operación de las aduanas. Otro de los objetivos es fortalecer la inteligencia fiscal integrada, los procesos de fiscalización y el nuevo sistema de apelación tributaria. Todo ello con miras a mejorar la eficiencia y transparencia institucional para así contribuir a incrementar la recaudación fiscal, que en Guatemala es de las más bajas de América Latina y del mundo (un 10.2 por ciento con respecto del PIB, en comparación con el 16.9 por ciento del promedio en América Latina y El Caribe). Por otra parte, el “Proyecto de Infraestructura Urbana y Prevención de Violencia”, destinará US$45 millones a mejorar las condiciones de vida en la Mancomunidad Gran Ciudad del Sur. En concreto, este proyecto busca mejorar el acceso a los servicios y la infraestructura básica y mitigar los factores de riesgo claves que causan el crimen y la violencia. De acuerdo a datos del BM, en 2014 la violencia le costó a Guatemala un 10 por ciento del Producto Interno Bruto. “Si bien Guatemala enfrenta retos importantes como las altas tasas de pobreza y desigualdad, el país tiene un enorme potencial para hacer frente a sus desafíos y ofrecer un mejor futuro a sus ciudadanos. Proyectos como los aprobados buscan precisamente brindar mayores oportunidades a las poblaciones vulnerables”, señaló Homa-Zahra Fotouhi, representante del Banco Mundial en Guatemala. Entre las acciones previstas se incluyen inversiones a pequeña escala en infraestructura urbana o periurbana, actividades de fortalecimiento de capacidades en los municipios, la creación de encuestas base para identificar a las comunidades más afectadas, la mejora de catastros municipales, el fortalecimiento de la coordinación inter-municipal y el apoyo a observatorios de crimen y violencia. Contactos: En Washington: Marcela Sánchez-Bender, +1-202-473-5863, msanchezbender@worldbank.org En Guatemala: Àngels Masó, (503) 7860.8019 amaso@worldbank.org Para conocer el trabajo del Banco Mundial en América Latina y el Caribe visite: www.bancomundial.org/alc Conozca más sobre el Banco Mundial en Guatemala: http://www.bancomundial.org/es/country/guatemala Visítenos en Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bancomundial Manténgase informado via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   Nuestro canal de YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank Comunicado de Prensa 2017/147/LAC  

El directivo del Banco Mundial en agricultura cree que se debe reducir la huella de carbono en la producción Reside en Washington, pero por el cargo que ocupa tiene que tener una mirada global. Juergen Voegele, director principal del Banco Mundial para la Agricultura, estuvo de visita en la Argentina recientemente y en su agenda de trabajo trata de unir temas como el cambio climático, la pobreza, la tecnología y la producción agrícola. En el país se reunió con funcionarios del Ministerio de Agroindustria y representantes del sector privado. En una entrevista con La Nación, Voegele se refirió al cambio climático como una "oportunidad" que tiene la Argentina por la tecnología agrícola que utiliza y a las tendencias globales en el consumo de alimentos. ¿Por qué le interesa al Banco Mundial la agricultura y el cambio climático? El Banco Mundial tiene dos objetivos como institución. La reducción de la pobreza y que mejoren el ingreso de la población que vive en los países en desarrollo. Esto último que se haga en condiciones de igualdad, equidad y sustentabilidad. Sabemos que el 70 % de los pobres vive en áreas rurales y la mayoría de ellos depende de la agricultura. Y si queremos llegar a los pobres tenemos que trabajar con la agricultura. Cuando hablan de sustentable, ¿a qué s refieren? Hablamos de la sustentabilidad de la tierra, el suelo y de la biodiversidad. Es muy importante para la humanidad que se reduzca la huella de carbono. La agricultura tiene una gran contribución al cambio climático. Globalmente es la responsable del 25% de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. Pero así como es parte del problema, también lo es de la solución porque permite reabsorber el dióxido de carbono ¿Qué papel le asigna a la tecnología en este proceso? Tiene un rol muy importante porque hay ciertas tecnologías que son inteligentes desde lo climático y otras que no lo son. Creemos que los agricultores deben adoptar tecnologías inteligentes. Hay tres dimensiones en esto. Primero, se necesitan rindes elevados para aumentar la producción. Hay que alimentar 9000 millones de personas para 2050, pero hacerlo de manera sustentable. En segundo lugar, debe haber mayor resiliencia y adaptación al cambio climático. Y en tercer lugar, usar tecnología que ayude a reducir la huella de carbono. La labranza cero, en la cual la Argentina tiene una larga tradición, es un buena tecnología. Plantar árboles o producir biogás también son otros ejemplos.

He lives in Washington, but his job requires him to have a global vision.  Juergen Voegele, senior director of the World Bank’s Agriculture Global Practice visited Argentina recently, where his work agenda sought to link topics such as climate change, poverty, technology and agricultural production. There he met with officials of the Ministry of Agribusiness and private-sector representatives. In an interview with La Nación, Voegele said that climate change was an “opportunity” for Argentina given the agricultural technology it uses and global food consumption trends. Why is the World Bank interested in agriculture and climate change? As an organization, the World Bank has two goals: to reduce poverty and to improve incomes of the population living in developing countries. The latter should occur in conditions of equality, equity and sustainability. We know that 70% of the poor live in rural areas and most of them depend on agriculture. So, if we want to reach the poor, we must work with agriculture. What do you mean when you say sustainable? We are talking about sustainability of the land, the soil and biodiversity. It is crucial for humanity to reduce the carbon footprint. Agriculture is a significant contributor to climate change. Globally, it is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. But just as it is part of the problem, it is also part of the solution because it allows for reabsorption of carbon dioxide. What role does technology have in this process? It plays a key role because some technologies are climate-smart while others are not. We believe that farmers should adopt smart technologies. This involves three dimensions. First, high yields are needed to increase production. In 2050, we will need to feed 9 billion people, but in a sustainable way. Second, resilience and adaption to climate change must increase. And third, we should use technology that helps to reduce the carbon footprint. No-till farming, which has a long tradition in Argentina, is a good technology. Planting trees and producing biogas are other examples.

Cada vez que cae una fuerte lluvia sobre las ciudades o la sequía afecta a alguna región de Brasil, la economía del país sufre un golpe considerable. Los desastres causan daños a la infraestructura, a los cultivos, a los servicios públicos y a la industria. A menudo, los gobiernos gastan más con acciones de emergencia para abordar la reconstrucción que con los recursos originalmente previstos para áreas tales como saneamiento y transporte. En Brasil, las pérdidas por desastres alcanzaron 2.800 millones de dólares anuales entre 1995 y 2014, o lo que es lo mismo: 56.700 millones durante estos 20 años. Eso demuestra que, contrariamente a una percepción muy popular, Brasil sí es afectado por los desastres naturales, aunque no sufre con eventos naturales de gran magnitud, como terremotos (como Chile o Haití) o huracanes (como el Caribe). Conocer el impacto preciso sólo fue posible porque Brasil tiene ahora una base de datos sobre los daños sufridos por los municipios: el Sistema Integrado de Informaciones sobre Desastres (S2ID), de la Secretaría Nacional de Protección y Defensa Civil. Pionero en Latinoamérica, el sistema impulsó un estudio que ha examinado cerca de 53.800 registros de desastres en Brasil entre 1995 y 2014. Los datos fueron recopilados en el informe Daños Materiales y Pérdidas Causadas por los Desastres Naturales en Brasil, publicado a finales de 2016 por el Banco Mundial y el Centro de Estudios e Investigación sobre Desastres, de la Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina. De acuerdo con la encuesta, las sequías – que evolucionan lentamente y, por lo tanto, los gobiernos reaccionan con lentitud – son los fenómenos reportados con más frecuencia por los municipios. "Ellas representan el 48% de los registros y se producen más en el noreste y el sur", explica Rafael Schadeck, uno de los autores del informe. Los desastres relacionados con el exceso de lluvias, documentados principalmente en el sureste, vienen en segundo lugar, con el 39% de los casos. El S2ID se transformó en una fuente de información para los que trabajan en la gestión de riesgos de desastres e hizo posible un importante cambio de mentalidad. "Los municipios sólo reportaban desastres si tenían interés en acceder a los fondos del gobierno federal para ayuda humanitaria y respuesta a los desastres. Más recientemente, se observa que muchos municipios reportaron casos de desastres sin tener estas intenciones, lo que nos permite comprender mejor la magnitud del desafío en Brasil, así como sus características específicas", dijo Frederico Pedroso, experto en gestión de riesgos de desastres del Banco Mundial.

A cada vez que uma chuva forte cai nas cidades ou uma seca afeta qualquer região brasileira, a economia do país sofre um golpe considerável. Foram nada menos do que R$ 9 bilhões anuais (US$ 2,8 bilhões) entre 1995 e 2014, ou R$ 182,8 bilh?…

IBRD Credit: US $55 million equivalent Terms: Maturity = 33 years, Grace = 6 years Project ID: P153366 Project Description: The objective of the loan is to increase levels of compliance with tax and customs obligations in Guatemala by improving the transparency, Integrity and Institutional Development in the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), the strengthening of Tax Collection Functions in Internal Revenues and Customs and the Strengthening of Integrated Tax Intelligence and Tax Enforcement. Contact: Àngels Masó, (503)7860.8019, amaso@worldbank.org For more information, please visit here: http://www.bancomundial.org/es/country/guatemala  

Organization: Counterpart International
Country: El Salvador
Closing date: 20 Feb 2017

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries. We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.

For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.Counterpart.org

Summary:

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Finance & Administration Manager to set up, and thereafter manage, the financial, accounting, operational, fiscal and administrative functions of the Strengthening Human Rights Systems (SHRS) Program field office in El Salvador. This individual will ensure strict and timely compliance with all applicable Salvadoran laws, donor (USAID) and Counterpart’s norms, policies and procedures. This is a full time position based in San Salvador, El Salvador. This position will report to the Chief of Party (CoP). Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Directly set up and manage the financial and operational functions of the Program, including but not limited to management and supervision of project procurement, logistics and human resources operational processes, ensuring compliance with USAID’s and Counterpart’s policies and procedures as well as with local laws and regulations while applying the best financial and accounting practices.;

· Prepare the Program’s and organization’s monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports, including tracking, reporting, and documenting cost share requirements;

· Prepare and coordinate the preparation of budgets, projections and monthly monitoring expenses;

· Maintain and update the Program’s financial accounts;

· Lead and coordinate the Finance and Administration team to support the administrative, logistic and financial processes in order to support the implementation of Program activities;

· Review and ensure that all recruiting and selection processes for both employees and consultants follow transparent and rigorous procedures and comply with the required documentation and approvals;

· Oversee the project’s management/implementation of human resources policies and procedures as well as compliance with applicable labor and fiscal laws and regulations;

· Ensure efficient use of the Program’s assets and the continuous and smooth functioning of the Salvadoran office’s facilities, infrastructure and equipment;

· Conduct an internal auditing process for the organization’s financial and administrative procedures, ensuring compliance with all Counterpart’s and USAID’s rules and regulations;

· Coordinate disbursements and reconciliations of the grants program;

· Recommend improvements or changes to the financial and administrative policies and procedures, as well as manage the implementation of approved policies;

· Keep informed and up-to-date on approved changes to the country’s laws and regulations as they apply to the organization and the Program’s activities, making appropriate recommendations to the Program Leadership for implementation and compliance;

· Perform other related tasks relevant to the launching of operations of SHRS as assigned by the CoP.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

· Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance;

· A minimum of five years of management-level experience in financial, administrative, and accounting areas;

· Knowledge and experience with donor-funded Programs,

· Knowledge and extensive experience using Microsoft Office, QuickBooks and/or other financial software, Internet, Skype and similar e-communications;

· Knowledge of the Salvadoran fiscal and banking systems;

· Strong staff management and team-building skills, influencing and promoting a positive working environment;

· Demonstrated leadership, management, decision-making and positive interpersonal skills;

· Ability to perform efficiently independently and under pressure and as an effective team member;

· Strong attention to detail;

· Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills;

· Excellent oral and written communications skills;

· Verbal and written fluency in English and Spanish;

· Ability to think strategically and to act in the best interests of the organization as a whole

Preferred

· USAID knowledge and experience;

· Strong sense of responsibility;

· Punctuality and commitment;

· Positive attitude and interpersonal skills;

· Good Judgment

How to apply:

Please apply online at https://rew12.ultipro.com/COU1004/JobBoard/JobDetails.aspx?__ID=*93995BA61F160B1D. No calls or emails please.

Counterpart International is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of Counterpart International to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.