Economist, USAID PSE MC

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

Dexis is seeking an Economist to support USAID's independent Office of the Chief Economist's (OCE's) Macroeconomic Policy Engagement Team. The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)—led by the Agency Chief Economist—brings stronger economic theory and evidence to bear on the Agency's work. Toward this end, OCE's three-pillar strategy centers on: (1) promoting the use of cost-effectiveness evidence in Agency decision-making; (2) promoting the generation of cost-effectiveness evidence that the Agency is uniquely placed to catalyze; and (3) providing macroeconomic analysis and advice to Agency leadership. Specifically, the Economist will support a top USAID priority of helping countries avoid or address sovereign debt crises.

This position is based in hybrid position based in Washington DC with an in-office expectation of 2-3 days a week.

The Economist will provide guidance, analysis, and expertise on a range of macroeconomics policy issues. They will assist in providing counsel to the OCE's operations; support the OCE in strengthening the USAID economics community; support the OCE's efforts to recruit and develop new Agency economic expertise; serve as a liaison and POC to USAID Missions, Bureaus, and staff on development macroeconomic issues; and execute related functions and responsibilities such as:

• Monitor global economic and financial conditions as relevant to USAID;
• Support in responding to Mission and other Operating Unit (OU) requests for macro-related information and activity design. This will include but is not limited to coverage of technical areas such as sovereign debt, public financial management, and economic governance;
• Conduct economic policy analysis using methods such as debt sustainability analysis, trend analysis, cross-country comparisons, computed general equilibrium modeling, regulatory impact assessments, and related techniques.
• Apply macroeconomic theory and historical experience to evaluate partner country economies and macroeconomic risks;
• Inform and support the development of USAID strategies to ensure macroeconomic considerations are incorporated;

Required

• Master's degree and a minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in international development related domestic resource mobilization (DRM) and/or public financial management (PFM);
• OR a bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in international development related to DRM and/or PFM.
• Expertise must include the use of development assistance to strengthen government revenue (e.g., revenue policy or administration), PFM (e.g., budgeting, internal control, audit, or other), and/or debt management in developing countries.
• Experience conducting at least one specific type of analysis related to macroeconomics, including but not limited to: debt sustainability analysis, trend analysis, cross-country comparisons, computed general equilibrium modeling, regulatory impact assessments.
• Demonstrable experience working successfully as an individual and as part of a team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce and edit written documents in English.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• All candidates must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Facilities Access Clearance.

Preferred

• Previous experience working on DRM or PFM projects in one or more USAID partner countries.
• Experience conducting multiple types of analysis related to macroeconomics, including but not limited to: debt sustainability analysis, trend analysis, cross-country comparisons, computed general equilibrium modeling, regulatory impact assessments.
• Experience working for an International Financial Institutions such as but not limited to: the International Monetary Funds, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, etc.
• Active Facilities Access Clearance.