Economist/Senior Economist

Role Overview

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) wishes to strengthen its capacity in project and sector assessment and related policy work in its Financial Institutions group, encompassing banks, non-bank financial institutions (such as insurance, leasing, and factoring), capital markets and equity funds. A regular appointment at the Economist/Senior Economist level for a Financial Institutions' sector expert is sought in this context. The Economist will work under the direction of the Director for Project and Sector Assessment.
OCE consists of a team of around 50 economists and analysts. It contributes to the operational, policy and strategy work of the Bank and provides intellectual leadership on economic and financial aspects of transition in the region.

OCE works closely with the Banking Department in structuring, appraising and monitoring investment projects that advance the transition to a market economy. OCE also initiates and participates in Bank policy initiatives, contributes to the development of country and sector strategies, and supports the Bank's operations by monitoring macroeconomic developments and risks. In addition, OCE undertakes economic research, and publishes the EBRD's Transition Report and other research-based papers and reports.

The Office is divided into three main pillars, each headed by a Director, with responsibilities for Project and Sector Assessment, Country Strategy and Policy and Research. The Project and Sector Assessment pillar works closely with the Banking department and is primarily responsible for ensuring a strong transition impact of the Bank's operations.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

· Designing and appraising investment projects in the financial institutions' sector for their impact on transition and helping to monitor the sector portfolio, including through engagement with Banking project teams and visits to the region;

· Helping to drive forward specific sector policies, through strategy papers and policy dialogue, including on financial sector development, MSMEs, cross-border and banking regulation issues, innovative financial products and development of local capital markets;

· Monitoring and assessing growth and reform progress in the financial sectors of the Bank's countries of operation, with a particular focus on the impact of deleveraging, the development and implementation of new regulations, role of state banks and other government interventions in the sector, financial access and small business development;

· Contributions to country and sector strategies and financial sector issues discussed by the EBRD's Board of Directors and relevant sub-committees;

· Ad hoc assignments as requested, including drafting of briefings, presentations, and speeches by the President or other members of senior management.

Essential Skills, Experience Qualifications

· Sound knowledge and work experience of the financial sector, gained for example through working in a relevant financial institution, central bank, finance ministry, think tank or academia;

· A postgraduate degree in economics or related field from a leading university; a PhD in economics or finance would be an advantage;

· Strong analytical and quantitative skills;

· An ability to understand credit analysis of investment projects;

· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Familiarity with the EBRD region of operations (especially Russia, the Western CIS and Central Asia) and work or study experience in the region would be helpful. Knowledge of one or more languages of the region, particularly Russian, would be an advantage.

Competencies Personal Attributes

· 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 and multi-tasking skills;

· Willingness to travel and potentially spend some time in Moscow or another regional office;

· Ability to operate in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with internal/external clients and colleagues.

This job description is not limited to the responsibilities listed and the person selected may be requested to perform other relevant duties as required by business needs.

October 10, 2013 • Tags:  • Posted in: Financial

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.