USAID Chief Economist Job

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks an accomplished and recognized expert economist with cutting-edge expertise and gravitas in their chosen field for the post of Chief Economist.  The successful applicant’s experience should be drawn from the public, private, academic or research community, including consulting and policy work in fields relevant to international development.  The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the substantive policy areas elucidated in the Presidential Policy Directive on Development: broad-based economic growth, food security, health and/or global climate change.

The position’s principal functions are to provide economic advice to senior management (15%), elevate the profile of economic analysis (20%), cultivate and sustain economic expertise within the Agency (30%), liaise with the broader development economics community (10%) and maintain an active personal research agenda (25%) as well as other duties as assigned.  While the position is a non-supervisory one, leadership and staff development, particularly in the areas of technical prowess and professionalism are key components of the required skillset.  Therefore, an ability to transform theoretical insights into actionable, practical applications relevant to international development, an interest in fostering both technical and professional talent particularly in technical, economics staff, and the necessary political acumen to ensure effective implementation while being attuned to USAID operational concerns is crucial.  This should be demonstrated through experience leading a technical/research unit within a larger (preferably public-sector) organization, and an ability to deal tactfully and persuasively with others, showing particular sensitivity to other professionals’ views and concerns.

The position is a Scientific Technical (ST) position in the competitive service with pay commensurate with qualifications.  ST employees are eligible for bonuses and awards based on performance. Veteran’s preference is not applicable to ST positions. This position will report to the Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3) though its writ will be Agency-wide and not confined solely to the E3 bureau, and will require the ability to function independently with little supervision or guidance.  As Agency management’s leading economic expert, the Chief Economist will serve as a recognized authority and leader in advanced economic analysis, providing expert commentary at all levels and on all aspects of Agency business, including guidance to the Bureau for Policy, Planning & Learning (PPL) on key macroeconomic, sectoral, or microeconomic issues that arise in development and implementation of Agency strategies, policies, analytic tools, and practices.  The successful candidate, therefore, must possess specialized skills recognized by Agency officials, other federal agencies, foreign governments, other international donors, researchers, and academia.

The major focus of her/his role will be in advancing the Agency’s technical capacity and cultivating a culture of excellence in economics.  As such, s/he will need to elevate the profile of economics and economic analysis within the Agency by strengthening its capacity for economic rigor and advocating for economic thinking across the Agency.  S/he will enhance the rigor of specific technical areas such as benefit-cost analysis, analysis of constraints to inclusive growth and macroeconomic briefing materials; and advocate their incorporation into program/project design, implementation and evaluation.  S/he will be an authoritative voice and advocate, strengthening USAID’s overall capacity to understand innovative, high-impact approaches, drawn from external research and analyses, and to incorporate them into USAID programs and practices.  S/he will ensure the quality of key analytical products developed for highly complex projects involving inter-disciplinary collaboration, and direct special studies of marked importance in new programming areas.  She will be the authoritative expert in the conceptualization, development, testing and implementation of methodological innovations that support Agency initiatives.   She will work collaboratively with E3 and PPL to cultivate a cadre of policy analysts and researchers who combine solid analytic skills with practical development experience, and with E3 senior economists to foster a culture of mentorship, learning and professional development.  S/he will apply technical and Agency knowledge to contribute to and represent the Agency at conferences and events, both domestic and international, and cultivate linkages with and outreach to economic research and analysis units at other federal government agencies, other donors, and academic institutions in the ambit of development economics.

The position of Chief Economist is a permanent position expected to be filled by rotating 2-3 year appointments.  It is particularly suited to individuals in academic and research careers seeking a sabbatical opportunity; therefore, applicants from the academic/research community are particularly encouraged to apply.  In order to apply, please consult the position description and application instructions here:https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/341652600.