Economist, EMD/PSEMC

About the Project

Through the Private Sector Engagement Modernization Contract (PSEMC), Dexis supports the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) PSE Hub to expand and deepen collaboration with the private sector to achieve greater development outcomes. The PSE Hub's mission is to create the institutional conditions, operating infrastructure, and capacity necessary to expand engagement with the private sector in the United States and partner countries. The PSE Hub works to transform and modernize how USAID does development by institutionalizing USAID's PSE policy and delivering capacity- and systems-building support for PSE across all sectors, operating units, and countries where USAID operates.

About the Position

The USAID Center for Economics and Market Development (EMD) in the Bureau for Inclusive Growth, Partnerships, and Innovation (IPI) is the Agency's primary resource for knowledge and technical assistance on economic growth and trade. EMD leads and supports USAID missions and other OUs in working with civil society, the private sector, and governments to build better enabling environments and trade capacity for the development and profitability of private enterprise, toward advancing the effective design and implementation of regulations.

The Economist position is located in EMD's Economics Team (EMD/E), which provides technical assistance and thought leadership in development economics, poverty reduction, and economic growth directly and through implementing partners. The Economics Team leads analytical and empirical studies for USAID Missions and other operating units. EMD technical analyses, such as feasibility studies and financial sector analysis, are used to evaluate potential investments, design activities and strategies, and help leverage financial resources from potential investors. This position will help the EMD/E team design, coordinate, and conduct economic studies and analyses to inform USAID programming. The Economist will also help to manage USAID implementing mechanisms providing technical services to USAID bureaus and independent offices to include technical and administrative oversight, including budgeting support.

A successful EMD Economist will work collaboratively, seek opportunities proactively, demonstrate persistence, set goals and see them through, systematically plan, and work with minimal direction and oversight.

This is a telework-eligible position, requiring occasional travel (15 25%) to USAID partner countries.

Responsibilities

Research and Analysis

• Conduct or oversee research and analysis to support leadership and investment decision-making. This includes market analysis, policy research, and feasibility studies.
• Develop and evaluate new or revised policies, procedures, and systems in global economics, focusing on successful strategies and methodologies.
• Identify economic challenges, collaborate with agencies and countries to propose policy solutions, and prepare detailed reports with recommendations.
• Develop financial and economic models to examine the likely impact of investments on USAID partner countries.

Project Management

• Plan and design central and mission-specific activities under established and/or proposed objectives.
• Select and lead assessment teams to provide on-site technical assistance in defining strategic plans, and designing specific programs and projects.
• Oversee project planning, execution, and delivery, ensuring alignment with goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Monitor program performance through data analysis and reporting, making adjustments to optimize outcomes and meet objectives.
• Evaluate operational and financial data to develop, monitor, and optimize budgets, ensuring that an organization's financial resources are allocated efficiently and align with its goals.

Strategic Advice and Planning

• Provide expert advice to regional bureaus, missions, and host-country personnel on economic issues, program analysis, and policy formulation to address key challenges.
• Understand and speak to IPI interests in intra-agency and external fora, collaborate with cooperating countries to develop tailored strategies, and coordinate with other USG agencies and other development assistance organizations.
• Advise on the design and implementation of programs, reviewing proposals to address economic and financial issues and promote growth and development.
• Contribute to strategies, plans, and approaches for effective management and use of EMD and Agency resources.

Operations

• Provide advice and assistance related to strategic investments, public policy, or field activities and/or initiatives to help ensure that they can be carried out efficiently and effectively. This involves coordinating resources and tracking progress.
• Advise on organizational changes, including technology adoption, process reengineering, or cultural shifts.

Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, government agencies, and industry groups to further EMD business development goals and objectives.
• Coordinate and manage stakeholder communication, providing regular updates and resolving issues that arise.

Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• MS/MA (or higher) with 8 or more years of work experience in a relevant field (e.g. Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field), Bachelor's degree and 10 years of work experience or 15+ years equivalent relevant work experience in private sector engagement
• Familiarity with economics and finance for international development.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic guidance to senior-level leaders
• Experience with resource and budget planning and management.
• Proficiency in statistical methods, data analysis, and financial or economic modeling.
• Knowledge of programming languages commonly used for data analysis, such as Python, R, or Stata, for manipulating data and automating tasks
• Knowledgeable about USAID project management, including budgeting, financial analysis, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong management skills and experience with the ability to lead projects with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong leadership experience combined with the ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships and help other staff develop their own skills and expertise.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, with a focus on translating technical materials into usable information for non-experts.
• Demonstrated evidence of excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and team building skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level clearance.

Preferred

• Current holder of an active Secret-level security clearance.
• Experience working at USAID or an implementing partner, including using USAID rules and regulations to create and maintain budgets.
• Prior experience in financial analysis, budgeting, or accounting.

All applicants are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All employees and consultants are expected to value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.