Economist
Mindseeker Inc.

Job Info

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Title: Economist
Location: Washington, DC

Introduction:
Mindseeker is looking for an Economist to join the Mindseeker Team and support the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The Economist will be primarily tasked with assisting the Economic Analysis Division in conducting economic research and data analysis in support of MCC's results framework, including constraints analysis, economic rate of return analysis, beneficiary analysis, monitoring and impact evaluation. This position has advancement opportunities if tenure and performance goals are met.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyzes the primary constraints to growth and the economics and policy frameworks in the sectors under consideration and makes recommendations on sector requirements and reforms that will stimulate both public and private investment and optimize impact on productive assets.
• Evaluates proposals of eligible countries and analyzes the quality of the economic logic in compact proposals including the potential impact on growth, implicit subsidies, economic return of proposed projects, and quantitative reasoning behind economic development proposals.
• Works closely with other stakeholders during project development and provides input into program design processes to enhance the cost-effectiveness and targeting of investment proposals under consideration.
• During implementation, works closely with sector leads and other stakeholders to maintain a current profile of the economics of ongoing projects, including the maintenance of current ERR models, and provides timely analysis of the economic implications of possible changes in project design.
• Develops and coordinates economic analysis plans for country compacts. Analyzes accountability data and keeps abreast on the extent to which compacts raise the economic growth of developing countries. Recalculates economic rates of return resulting from changes in projects due to unforeseen economic or other conditions.
• Works closely with stakeholders and implementers in the field to strengthen their understanding of MCC's use of economics in priority identification, project appraisal, and independent and rigorous evaluation.
• Participates as a member of the Practice Group to share experiences and discuss issues of MCC operational policies and programs.
• Evaluates and interprets economic analysis study findings and prepares reports and recommendations based on those findings for publication. Assumes technical responsibility for the interpretation and application of economic analysis findings and publishes original research on economic development, the determinants of economic growth, and the linkages of growth and investments in particular sectors with poverty reduction.
• Provides recommendations in a complex and critical area of economic analysis research with recommendations for action within the area of assignment. Communicates complex findings and associated methodologies to officials and professionals not familiar with the area of research.
• Develops articles and speeches to maintain active communication between the agency, the development policy community, and the academic community. Makes presentations about MCC to a variety of stakeholders, both within the US and in developing countries
• Oversees maintenance of data for economic indicators affiliated with international assistance programs for developing nations, and maintains currency on research relevant to the indicators.
• Formulates and carries through research plans that inform and advance the agency's goals, objectives and programs. Conducts major studies with far-reaching results. As studies progress, modifies approaches to resolve unprecedented problems where no guidelines exist. Evaluates data generated by other studies and serves as an advisor to top-level agency officials concerning the adequacy, accuracy, and contribution to agency programs.
• Provides analysis and advice on agency-wide programs or issues of national impact. Applies advanced techniques to interpret and evaluate findings resulting from analysis. Reconciles conflicts between basic policies and program goals. Provides advice and recommendations to top management officials. Identifies reasons for the nature and /or extent of program-related problems that arise and investigates areas in need of improvements. Recommends options that remedy problematic situations. Writes comprehensive resolution recommendations. Formally presents findings before large and diverse audiences, such as Federal, State, and local government representatives, special interest groups, the community, the media, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in economics, public policy or a closely related field that has a significant quantitative analysis component

• Experience applying economic theory, principles, concepts, methods, and techniques to issues of economic growth and poverty reduction in lower and lower-middle income countries
• Proficiency applying statistical or programming software (such as Stata or R) to manipulate, clean and analyze economic data, including large data sets such as household and/or firm surveys
• Experience with and knowledge of quantitative methods for statistical and economic applications
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to present and explain findings to economist and non-economist colleagues
• Experience writing and editing economic analysis papers or reports that draw on economic theory and evidence to generate findings and recommendations.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Candidate must be a US Citizen

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or experience with growth diagnostics (constraints analysis) using the methodology of Hausmann, Rodrik, and Velasco, or with microeconomic topics relevant to growth diagnostics
• Experience undertaking cost-benefit analysis of economic development projects
• Experience modeling and assessing distributional impacts of development investments, particularly on poor people, women and girls, and other marginalized groups.
• Experience interacting with foreign governments, international donors, and other stakeholders
• Experience working in lower and lower-middle income countries
• Publications or working papers on topics related to economics and development policy
• Proficiency in French, Portuguese or Spanish (include reference to level of proficiency for reading, writing, and oral communications)

Work Environment:

• Candidate must be able to work in a hybrid office setting in Washington, DC. Fully remote work may be considered for a well-qualified candidate.
• The work is primarily sedentary, although some walking, bending, or carrying of light items may be involved.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

Suitability Requirements:

• All employees supporting MCC must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, including credit and reference checks, prior to starting.

Current direct hire federal employees who are considering applying to this announcement should immediately contact your Agency Ethics Officer for post-employment counseling.

Selectee will be required to work directly with MCC's Office of General Counsel to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form (OGE-450) due as a new entrant within 30 days of onboarding and then due annually by February 15th. Selectee is not requested to submit the Disclosure Form prior to the onboarding.

EEOC Statement:
Mindseeker provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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