Senior Economist

The Senior Economist will be employed by the Competitiveness Support Fund (CSF) under the following terms of reference:

General Duties

• Reporting to the CEO and COO, he/she will inter alia undertake the duties of Senior Economist covering all relevant aspects of CSF’s activities and operational windows with a focus on the rigorous economic analysis of issues affecting the competitiveness of Pakistan’s economy.
• Assist and advise the CEO, COO and other CSF professional staff on matters related to the economy of Pakistan and other relevant global, regional and country-specific economic matters affecting competitiveness.
• Assist the CEO and other senior CSF personnel in drafting policies and other relevant papers on competitiveness for CSF and its clients.
• Assist the CFO and COO with in-house financial analysis and budgeting as required.
• Any other professional task/assignment given by the CSF CEO/COO.

Economic Research Duties

• Based on CSF’s strategy and approved Work Plan, establish a database of relevant economic information and information sources including macro- and micro economic data. This database will link to CSF’s library and to its website in order to provide a basic information resource for the work of the Fund and its stakeholders.
• Establish and develop professional links on behalf of CSF with other relevant institutions including international donors, NGOs, professional institutes and academic institutions.
• Attend relevant workshops and other professional meetings and conferences on behalf of CSF.
• Based on the Work Plan and issues that arise during the course of CSF’s work for its clients (especially USAID and Government of Pakistan), conduct specific socio-economic (both macro-, micro- and sector-specific) research and ad hoc studies in order to support CSF’s operational activities. This research will be directly relevant to enhancing the ranking of Pakistan against World Economic Forum and other recognized benchmarks.
• Participate in joint research activities in conjunction with other research/economic institutions and carry out assigned research tasks effectively.
• Provide in-house support and resource information and participate in the preparation and drafting of the State of Pakistan’s Competitiveness Report (on an annual basis).

Technical Assistance Duties

• Undertake sector studies as required within an agreed professional competency, including industry/sector research and visits to relevant locations.
• Assist the TA Manager and other senior CSF staff to identify the Technical Assistance requirement within the framework of competitiveness and tasks identified in the approved CSF Work Plan. Assist CSF TA Manager and management with the identification and management of consultants.
• Liaise with CSF management, Board Members, Clients and other stakeholders to ensure that the Technical Assistance Activities are carried out effectively.
• Review all TA work undertaken by CSF for economic content and accuracy.
• Assist the Business Incubator and Venture Capital teams as required with financial and economic analysis.

Monitoring and Evaluation Duties

• Prepare progress (annual and quarterly) and monitoring/evaluation reports on CSF activities which are to be sent for distribution to various CSF stakeholders including government of Pakistan and USAID.
• Undertake quantitative economic (monetized cost-benefit and poverty) impact assessments of CSF initiatives and operational activities.
• Draft ad hoc reports as required on CSF activities in the context of the CSF approved Business Plan for distribution to various CSF stakeholders including government of Pakistan and USAID.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelors Degree majoring in economics (micro and macro) and a Masters or other higher degree in one or more subjects of economics, business studies, statistics, international finance, international trade.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience, preferably with an international organization (donor, NGO, company or university).
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills including professional ability with MS Excel or other spreadsheet software.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Preferably familiarity in a professional context with the ideas of Professor Michael Porter and other aspects of comparative/competitive advantage and international competitiveness.