Senior / Lead Research Economist

Remark: The actual level of this role will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Purpose of Job

The Associate Director, Lead Research Economist pursues a high-quality research agenda in one or several areas pertinent to the EBRD, such as the green transition, economic inclusion, finance and development, firm productivity, and/or structural economic transformation. The Lead Research Economist also provides intellectual leadership to the rest of the Bank, including by providing input to policy dialogue and briefing notes. In addition, they act as a senior in-house advisor on methodological issues, such as survey design, causal inference, or the use of big data and machine learning.

Externally, the Lead Research Economist is a recognized authority on their area(s) of expertise and regularly represents the Bank as a speaker at high-level fora and conferences.

The Lead Research Economist is an active researcher who successfully and consistently publishes economic research in top-tier academic journals. Part of their research agenda may involve complex and multi-year projects such as randomised controlled trials or international surveys that require excellent project management skills. The Lead Research Economist also mentors junior researchers in OCE.

Background

OCE consists of a team of around 17 ecomonists and analysts.  It contributes to the operational, policy and strategy work of the Bank and provides intellectual leadership on the economic transformation of the regions in which the Bank invests. OCE is responsible for economic research relevant to EBRD and its countries of operations, macroeconomic analysis, and relations with academia. It also leads the design and implementation of large-scale household and firm-level surveys; randomised impact studies; and the production of major EBRD publications, including the annual Transition Report.

Facts / Scale

• The Lead Research Economist is responsible for a high-quality research agenda in one or several economic areas pertinent to the Bank. He or she manages a Research Analyst as well as one or several interns, and may co-manage one junior research economist in OCE. The position is based in London and reports to the Director of Research.
• The Lead Research Economist manages one or more large-scale and complex research projects, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or multi-country surveys, that require first-rate project management, budgeting, people, and logistical skills. He or she is also responsible for independently mobilising donor funds or external funding for such assignments.
• The Lead Research Economist interacts closely and independently with other teams in the EBRD, such as Banking, Corporate Strategy, and VP Policy (including the Impact Team).
• Part of OCE senior leadership, he or she may represent OCE at Bank committees and contribute to broader strategic and operational decisions around OCE’s work. 

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a research program in one or several thematic areas and be an experienced authority and intellectual lead on these areas. Provide research-based guidance to senior management within EBRD as well as communicate externally and authoritatively on these issues.
• Publish research in top-rated, peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Manage large-scale, complex, and multi-year/multi-country impact assessments and surveys, including generating the required internal donor funding and/or external funding.
• Independently manage one or several chapters of OCE’s annual Transition Report and other research-based policy reports. In charge of briefing notes for EBRD senior management, including the Chief Economist, VPs, and the President.
• Internally, support EBRD colleagues with research-based analysis and advice.
• Externally, he or she independently works together at senior level with other IFIs, in particular the World Bank Group, IMF and the EIB, on leading long-term and highly-visible joint research projects and the associated policy and research reports.
• Externally, provide intellectual leadership and communicate on EBRD’s research-based views on specific global economic trends and provide economic analysis to be shared with the media, clients and in various public forums. Represent the Bank at high-level events to further cement EBRD’s external reputation as a knowledge-intense organisation. Independently interfaces with outside academics, think thanks and other IFIs.
• Organize research conferences or EBRD’s Annual Economics Symposium.
• Provide guidance, mentoring and leadership to OCE analysts and interns.
• The job requires extensive travel to manage field research in countries of operation, work with international co-authors and principal investigators, and to present research findings.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Economics or Finance from a leading university.
• A track record of research in fields relevant to EBRD, in the form of academic publications in areas such as development economics, industrial organisation, economic growth, labour economics, international trade, environmental economics, or finance.
• Strong proven ability to translate complex research findings into clear policy advice and to advice senior management on the practical implementation of research findings to further the Bank’s operational and policy goals.

• Proven ability to gain trust from operational departments and to cooperate with them independently and to mutual satisfaction on large-scale research projects of high academic quality that provide meaningful input into EBRD’s strategy, operations, and/or projects and policies.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written, at the standard required for professional publication and official representation.
• Strong knowledge of economic policy issues facing transition economies and emerging markets.
• Fluency in one or more of the languages of the EBRD regions would be an advantage. Experience in team management would be a major advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams as well as independently.
• Ability to plan and organise work unsupervised. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Good organisational, project management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to operate in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with internal/external clients and colleagues.

What is it like to work at the EBRD?

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in. 

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital  transformation at the heart of what we do.

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.  As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

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