Kharas began his career at the Brookings Institution in 2005 at the , where he pioneered foreign aid reform analyses, measuring the volatility of aid, quality of foreign aid, new players in development, including individuals and foundations, and helped develop the Center's strategy along that of the Global Economy and Development Program. Kharas is a recognized foreign aid expert and has advised donors, foundations and emerging/developing country governments on best practices in the area. Kharas is principal investigator of a number of grants to Brookings, including the Gates Foundation sponsored, Ending Rural Hunger and , to name a few. He has served as the lead author and , co-chaired by President Sirleaf, President Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Cameron, advising the U.N. Secretary General on the post-2015 development agenda. The report, “” was presented on May 30, 2013, and served as the basis for Sustainable Development Goals discussions. His most recent co-authored books are: ' ; ' ; After the Spring: Economic Transitions in the Arab World ; ' ; and ' . He has published articles, book . He has recently served as a member on the International Panel Review Committee on Malaysia’s economic and governance transformation programs ; the post-Busan Advisory Group to the DAC co-chairs ; the National Economic Advisory Council to the Malaysian Prime Minister ; and a member of the Working Group for the , chaired by Professor A. Michael Spence. He was a Non-Resident Fellow of the OECD Development Center. Before Brookings, Kharas spent 26 years at the World Bank, serving for seven years as chief economist for the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific region and as Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, Finance and Private Sector Development. Along with Indermit Gill, he developed the novel concept of From 1990-1991, Dr. Kharas was a Senior Partner with Jeff Sachs and Associates, advising governments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union on transition. He holds a PhD in economics from Harvard University and has an M.A. and B.A. from King's College, University of Cambridge.
