View Vacancy - Economic Advisor

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Do not use - DFID (Department for International Development)

The British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for the position of Economic Advisor, Grade – C5 (L).

 

Objective:

DFID Lebanon is looking for an energetic and experienced Economic Advisor, with strong technical and programme management skills, thorough knowledge of the economy in Lebanon and the international aid architecture. The role is based in the British Embassy in Beirut. The post holder will work within a small team headed by a senior economic adviser, and including a private sector development expert and two programme managers. S/he will be expected to work closely with the DFID humanitarian and education teams and the wider Embassy team, particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office economic adviser.

 

DFID’s economic development approach in Lebanon

DFID support on economic development in Lebanon is anchored in commitments made at the London Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in February 2016, as well as DFID’s Economic Development Strategy.  At the London conference, the Government of Lebanon (GoL) and the international community made a series of commitments which sought to boost Lebanon’s economic growth whilst strengthening its capacity to manage the refugee burden. With the promise of additional grant and loan investments from the International community, the GoL committed to facilitating the creation of 300,000 and 350,000 new infrastructure jobs, stating that around 60% of those would be for Syrians; and introducing measures to ease access to the labour market.  In its turn, the UK is supporting interventions which provide job opportunities for both Lebanese and Syrians, whilst at the same time build the foundations for sustained growth. Our programmes support Small and Medium Enterprises to grow as well as provide infrastructure investments that can help create jobs and support local economic development. So far, DFID has supported approximately 13,000 people in Lebanon through livelihoods projects and support to cooperatives and created 1,300 new jobs. Going forward, we will provide assistance in support of the Lebanese Government’s plans for large infrastructure projects including through concessional finance, and press the Government of Lebanon to ensure their investments are underpinned by a clear medium term economic vision that takes concrete steps towards addressing the country’s macroeconomic challenges.

DFID Lebanon is expecting to spend approximately £30m ($40m) per year in support of its economic development objectives, out of an overall portfolio of around £100m per year.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Support the Economic Development Team Leader to deliver DFID programmes on jobs and economic opportunities

- Lead the development and management of several key economic development programmes, particularly those related to local and national infrastructure investment

- Build strong and effective working relationships with Government of Lebanon counterparts and delivery partner agencies, managing relationships with partners to ensure programmes deliver objectives

- Ensure programmes have clear monitoring frameworks with measurable results and proportionate research and evaluation plans.  Monitor effectiveness of interventions, driving good value for money throughout programmes

- Work with programme managers to strengthen risk management of programmes and partners, address programme blockages/deficiencies and deliver tough messages to partners as necessary

- Ensure programmes are fully compliant with DFID rules and procedures

- Build strong and effective working relationships with DFID teams managing institutional relationships with partners and other donors

 

2. Generate high quality economic analysis and advice to support other teams’ work, policy engagement and advocacy

- Provide macro and micro economic advice and analysis to support the development of DFID’s economic development policy and strategy in Lebanon

- Providing economics support in the development of other programmes (particularly education and humanitarian work); ensuring value for money considerations are appropriately addressed and effective options appraisals are undertaken

- Lead on driving value for money improvements across the office

- Work with Embassy colleagues to produce high-quality economic briefing and analysis for a range of information requirements and audiences

- Maintain an in-depth understanding of political dynamics in Lebanon and how they impact economic development. Monitor and assess economic risks and possible triggers for economic crisis. Ensure managers, Ministers and broader HMG network are informed in a timely manner of evolving risks.

 

3. Contribute and input into wider work of DFID Lebanon

- Contribute to effective team working and wider team delivery, by collaborating with other programmes to share best practice and lesson identified through the team and across DFID.

- Provide high quality and timely input into parliamentary and ministerial deliverables and support high-level visits as required. Manage visits by Ministers, management and UK Government scrutiny bodies to see DFID Lebanon economic development programmes, handling these to advance goals of this high profile programme.

- Collaborate with MENA Economic Advisors to ensure a joined-up approach on DFID’s Economic Development Strategy across the region and share lessons identified between Lebanon and other DFID teams.

 

Key Competences required for the job:

1. Generic competency:

• Making Effective Decisions - Effectiveness in being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.

• Delivering Value for Money - The efficient, effective and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery of public services. Seeking out and implementing solutions which achieve the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay.

• Delivering at Pace - Delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

• Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done..

 

2. Technical competencies and professional skills:

Advisors must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following primary technical competencies.

• P1 Macroeconomic knowledge.  Understanding the economy as a whole including; growth measurement, trends, drivers, and diagnostics, fiscal policy, budgeting, taxation and debt, monetary policy and exchange rates and regulation

• P2 Microeconomic knowledge.  Understanding the behavior of firms or households including; importance of choices and incentives, demand, supply, markets and competition, core rationale for government intervention, core project appraisal skills, sectoral/market analysis.

• P3 International economics. Understanding the interaction with the global economy including; balance of payments, international and regional trade, investment, international finance, aid flows and debt, migration.

• P4: Econometrics and data. Understanding data sources and econometric techniques including; Regression analysis and Random Controlled Trials.

• P5: Effective communication for economists. Being able to communicate complex technical ideas and arguments in ways which non-economists can readily understand.

 

Advisors are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following shared technical competencies.

1. International development

2. Design and manage programmes and projects

3. Develop and implement policy

4. Use evidence to inform policy and programming

Essential:
• High level of written and verbal English and Arabic communication skills
• A postgraduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in economics or related discipline that includes macro, micro, international economics and quantitative methods
• Minimum 5 years of experience working on economic policy and programming in Lebanon or the MENA region.
• Excellent financial management skills and people management skills.
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure in a busy and sometimes challenging environment.
• Flexibility and willingness to respond to a range of corporate needs.
• Excellent judgement and ability to understand complex issues quickly.
• Excellent IT skills (standard Microsoft applications).

N/A
28 November 2017
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
Beirut
British Embassy
1
USD
5800
1 February 2018

Working Hours and Remuneration:

Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. The Embassy is committed to ensuring that you are able to maintain a suitable work-life balance. Leave entitlement is 20 days plus 14 public holidays.

This is a full time, fixed term contract for 1 year with possibility of extension. We are looking for someone to start working on this position from February 2018.

Some flexibility in working hours will be permitted subject to negotiation and agreement. The successful candidate will be required to attend set weekly meetings and some internal and external events possibly after working hours.

The British Embassy in Beirut offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package of $ 5,800 monthly for this role.

The embassy offers a competitive remuneration package in line with local labour law (including transport, family, education allowances, and medical insurance coverage). Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate.

Application Process:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.

1. An updated two page Curriculum Vitae to demonstrate skills, capabilities and achievements

2. A (1500 words) covering letter/statement of suitability including both for generic and advisor competencies outlining the evidence, competence and experience required.

*** (Applications that do not include the above information will be rejected).

 

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Time) on 28 November 2017.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90 day probationary period. 

Interviews will be held at the British Embassy Beirut Office. Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment/interview will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures.  Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

 

Candidates must ensure that they are eligible to work and reside in Lebanon.

 

The British Embassy is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.  Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Lebanon employment law.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.