Raphaela Karlen is a Social Protection Specialist in the Africa region of the World Bank Group, where she specializes in the intersection of jobs and poverty alleviation. She has led or been a core team member of a large variety of analytical and operational projects, where she focuses on economic inclusion of vulnerable population groups; inclusive value chain development towards improved livelihoods for youth and women; building support mechanisms to strengthen the resilience of informal sector actors; and the creation of good quality jobs for youth in conflict-affected settings.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Raphaela worked as a Policy Advisor on Local Economic Development and Decentralization at GIZ in Burundi (2014-2016). At UNDP Benin (2013-2014), she was a member of the core team that conducted the national consultations for the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda.
Raphaela holds a M.A. in International Economic Policy from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris and a M.A. in International Affairs and Governance of the University of St. Gallen.