View Vacancy - Economist - DFID

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Do not use - DFID (Department for International Development)

The Department for International Development (DFID) in the British Embassy, Amman is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Economist - DFID, Grade – C5 (L).

 

Purpose of the job:

DFID Amman is looking for an energetic and experienced Economist to provide economic policy analysis to support implementation of the new UK-Jordan long-term partnership.

Main Responsibilities:

This is a critical role within the DFID’s Economic Opportunities Team.  You will be our expert on economic issues in Jordan providing detailed economic analysis to influence the direction of both our policy and programmes.   A strong understanding of Jordan’s economic situation is central to the UK’s work in Jordan, particularly as we scale up our Economic Opportunities portfolio as part of the new UK-Jordan long-term partnership.

The key strands of the role include to:

  • Provide timely and succinct analysis on Jordan’s macroeconomic situation, including fiscal and monetary policy and structural reform for growth and job-creation, including for refugees. This will include writing a six monthly macroeconomic assessment.
  • Provide timely and succinct analysis on the budget and public financial management. Lead adviser on PFM programming.
  • Lead for DFID on trade analysis.
  • Provide economic advice to programme teams across the British Embassy’s security, development and political sections. This will include completing economic appraisals and leading work on value for money of cross-sectoral programmes.
  • Lead on policy analysis for the GoJ/UK Government partnerships on tax and statistics.
  • Build economic capacity among colleagues across the British Embassy by providing training and frequent reporting.
  • Build, maintain and utilise a broad contact base in state institutions, public & private sector, and with other economic analysts.
  • Build and maintain constructive working relationships with key contacts within the UK embassy in Jordan, particularly with colleagues from the Department for International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
  • Learn about and feed into DFID and UK Government systems and ways of working as part of a wider team.

 

Key Competencies and Required Skills:

1.   Generic competency:

  • Making Effective Decisions - Effectiveness in being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
  • Seeing the Big Picture - Having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. Focussing your contribution on the activities which will meet Embassy goals and deliver the greatest value.
  • 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.
  • Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.

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.

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

  • International development
  • Design and manage programmes and projects
  • Develop and implement policy
  • Use evidence to inform policy and programming

Desirable: Experience and knowledge of the Jordanian private/financial sector including innovative financing instruments.

Essential:

  • Fluent communication skills in English and Arabic language (both written and spoken, this will be tested).
  • Candidate must hold a postgraduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in economics or related subject.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience working on economic policy and programming in Jordan or the MENA region.
  • Excellent understanding of Jordan’s economy, private sector and business environment.
  • Excellent communication and team-working skills.
  • Ability to work in fast-paced, high profile environments, and deliver to deadlines.
  • Good judgement and ability to understand complex issues quickly.
  • Flexibility and willingness to respond to a range of corporate needs.
  • Excellent IT skills (standard Microsoft applications).

Desirable:

  • Experience working on economic policy, including with government of Jordan.
  • Experience of working with or for donors.
  • Experience working in the private sector.
  • Experience working in economic research.
21 November 2019
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37
Middle East & North Africa
Jordan
Amman
British Embassy
1
JOD
3334
14 January 2020

Working Hours and Remuneration:

The position is full-time, permanent at 37 hours a week with considerations of flexibility depending on circumstances.

Pay is on the Embassy C5 (L) scale, with a salary of JOD 3334 per month. The package includes a good level of health insurance and a friendly, English-speaking work environment. We offer opportunities to develop professional skills through our Learning & Development offer. Leave entitlement is 25 days (on pro rata basis) plus 14 public holidays.

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

The Embassy has an active and supportive learning culture and offers tailored mentoring and coaching programmes. Your learning and development will follow the 70:20:10 model: 70% of your learning will be on-the-job, working with economists, private sector advisers and other experts across the British Embassy and DFID; 20% will be dedicated mentoring and coaching with senior technical colleagues; and 10% will be formal training courses. These courses include ‘Economics for Foreign Policy’ training and numerous on-line e-learning courses in economics and finance. You will also be assigned a senior Technical Quality Assurer who will oversee your economic analysis and provide guidance on your technical learning and development pathway.

Eligibility: 

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

  • Receive the appropriate level of standard security clearance;
  • Must hold a work permit in Jordan, prior to joining.

To Apply:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.

  • An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • 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 stated information will be rejected).

 

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Time) on 21 November 2019.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large amount of applications, we receive only those shortlisted for interview or assessment 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.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.

 

The British Embassy Amman is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.