The Associate Economist is a member of the Country Economics and Policy team of the Economics, Policy and Governance (EPG) Department of the Vice Presidency Policy & Partnerships. The Associate Economist provides support to the Lead Regional Economist on macroeconomic and structural reform analysis and policy advice for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region. Given the exceptionally high degree of focus on the regions in which this role is based, and the regular demands from senior management, he or she is expected to show strong initiative and to take the lead on briefings and other requests. The Associate Economist contributes to the joint EPG/OCE forecast, as well as knowledge and experience documentation and sharing within the CE&P pillar. The Associate Economist is based at EBRD Head Quarters in London with extensive travel to the region.
Economics, Policy and Governance (EPG) department consists of a team of around 50 economists, political counsellors and analysts. It supports the Bank in increasing its impact through enhancing its operations and policy engagements. EPG does this by supporting and assessing the quality of the Bank’s interventions through economic analysis focused on its projects, by leading and supporting reform engagements in countries of operation (through country diagnostics and policy objectives), by providing political and political economy analysis in support of operations and high-level dialogues with the leadership of COOs. It also supports better governance and business environment through a number of targeted products and serves as the Bank’s knowledge hub on economics, policy and governance. EPG also assesses compliance to Article 1 in the context of country strategies.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
- Show strong initiative in developing and drafting position papers, policy notes and briefings.
- Monitor and analyse macroeconomic performance and risks, and assess structural reform progress in the countries of the particular region in order to provide input into key EPG and Bank products;
- Maintain department’s databases on the region and monitor local media and commercial sources about economic and policy developments in the region so as to provide up-to-date briefings to management;
- Maintain dialogue with the IMF, World Bank, other international financial institutions and donor agencies, local think tanks and rating agencies on economic developments in the region;
- Draft contributions for the department’s regular publications, including the Regional Economic Prospects and the annual Transition Report, the flagship annual publication of EBRD;
- Perform ad hoc assignments, including background research on macroeconomic, sectoral and other policy developments, drafting of briefings, presentations, and short analyses/focus pieces;
- Prepare regular growth forecasts and long-term macroeconomic scenarios to be used in the financial models by the Banking department;
- Prepare draft of presentations to be delivered in the Bank and to outside audiences;
- Support monitoring donor coordination and mapping landscape and, as requested, participate in donor coordination meetings.
- As requested, represent the Bank at policy and research forums;
- Conduct theoretical and / or empirical research on economic issues of interest to the Bank.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications
- Master’s degree in economics or a related field from a university, perhaps a PhD.
- Given the seniority of this analyst role, relevant experience in the region and the ability to show initiative and take the lead on certain tasks are essential;
- Strong analytical background in economic programming and policies;
- Research or work experience in an area of interest to the Bank, including political economy, economics of development, financial economics, international economics and macroeconomics;
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in English;
- Fluency in French is required and fluency in Arabic is a strong asset.
- Experience of working with economic datasets and knowledge of statistical software packages;
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including knowledge of Excel. Facility with other database/analytic software (e.g. Stata).
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams;
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
- Ability to operate sensitively and effectively in a multicultural environment;
- Willingness to travel to the EBRD’s countries of operation.
- Familiarity with the EBRD region of operations and work or study experience in the region.
Diversity Matters
Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities.
THIS POSITION IS BEING OFFERED AS 2 YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT