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Principal Economist ECB

European Central Bank

Frankfurt, Germany

Function

The successful candidate will work in the EU Countries Division of the Directorate Economic Developments and assume a lead role in ECB work on EU countries under EU/IMF programmes, directly supporting the ECB Coordinator of EU country missions. He/she should be in a position to deputise for the ECB mission chief in programme countries and to lead technical teams in the absence of the mission chief. His/her tasks include active participation in high-level policy meetings with the authorities and other international organisations involved in country programmes. His/her duties will also comprise the preparation and coordination of key policy documents on EU countries (including policy assessment notes for the Executive Board of the ECB,, mission briefs, assessment of compliance with programme targets etc.). He/she will also be involved in assessing the effectiveness and consistency of macroeconomic, structural and financial sector policies of EU countries and provide contributions from the country perspective in further developing the ECB’s assessment of the EU crisis prevention and resolution framework.

The successful applicant will be entrusted with the following main tasks and responsibilities commensurate with the level of a Principal Economist:

  • analysing and forecasting economic developments in euro area countries under EU/IMF programmes, including in respect to intra-euro area imbalances, vulnerabilities and competitiveness developments;
  • coordinating key policy documents related to country programmes;
  • formulating macroeconomic and structural policy recommendations for EU countries and coordinating analytical background studies;
  • coordinating with other business areas within the ECB the drafting of policy documents related to country analysis and programmes;
  • representing the ECB in policy discussions with country authorities and other international organisations involved in country surveillance;
  • coordinating the preparation of reports and briefing material on policy-oriented issues for the members of the Executive Board and the Governing Council of the ECB.

Frequent mission travel will require a high level of personal flexibility.

Qualifications and experience

Applicants must have the following knowledge and competencies:

  • advanced university degree in economics, with a sound academic record, or proven ability to perform the tasks required by the position. A suitable publication record would be an asset;
  • at least six years professional experience with policy work on countries under economic adjustment programmes, including the integrated analysis of macroeconomic developments and structural and financial sector issues;
  • excellent capability to formulate country-specific policy recommendations and to coordinate the drafting of policy-oriented documents and analytical background studies on country issues under very tight deadlines;
  • extensive experience in preparing and coordinating missions to programme countries;
  • excellent knowledge of the ECB’s monetary policy framework and the EU institutions and crisis resolution framework;
  • capability to represent the ECB externally in interactions with national authorities and international organisations on policy-sensitive issues;
  • excellent command of English, including excellent drafting skills;
  • a working knowledge of at least one other official EU language is also required.

Behaviour Competences

The successful candidate will have the following behavioural competencies:

  • brings informed and balanced perspectives when forming policy judgements while defining policy issues/problems clearly and coming to concise policy solutions;
  • defines and prioritises organisational objectives in a coherent strategic plan in accordance with the mission and overall strategy of the ECB;
  • exhibits very strong coordination skills, including the ability to guide and motivate newer and more junior staff;
  • coordinates teams, while supporting team members in the attainment of common goals and defining success in terms of the whole team;
  • is proactive in identifying policy challenges and tasks ahead and proposing solutions;
  • proven ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with staff and management at all levels, inside and outside the institution;
  • displays a conscientious attitude and a thorough understanding of the wider context beyond the own area of expertise;
  • delivers results within tight timeframes and adapts flexibly to changing priorities in response to changing circumstances and work demands;
  • manages multiple assignments and tracks progress on numerous processes simultaneously.

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