Junior Economist and Modeler

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The Economics Department (ECO) leads co-ordinated, innovative, international action with respect to the OECD’s work on economic policy, both international and domestic. The Department implements the priorities of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) set by Member Countries and the Secretary-General in its area of business.

The Economics Department aims at enhancing economic performance in Member and non-Member countries through sound and innovative policy advice with a view to seeking an inclusive and durable increase in living standards. It deals with a wide array of policy areas combining macro-economic analysis and a strong emphasis on structural policy issues. Its policy advice is derived from a variety of sources such as country surveillance, cross-country benchmarking and evidence derived from empirical research. Much of the Economics Department’s policy analysis and advice is provided as input to committee-based peer review and multilateral surveillance processes and contributes to the overall OECD mission. The Economics Department interacts with several other OECD directorates working in specific policy fields.

THE POSITION

The Economics Department is looking for Specialized Junior Economists to work on the modelling work of the Structural Policy and Research Division (ECO/SPRD). The successful candidates will work with the team on the research project on development of the macroeconomic and structural models, focusing on both conceptual and quantitative issues, and develop new innovative approaches that offer policy-relevant insights relevant to the areas covered by the division. The selected candidates will report directly to the Head of the Structural Policy Analysis Division.

The Junior Economist and modeler will work under the guidance of an experienced Senior Economist. As part of this project, the Junior Economist will also be expected to interact with a broad array of stakeholders, including central banks, governments, non-governmental organisations, BIAC and TUAC, other international organisations, think tanks, and academics as well as other OECD Directorates.

Main Responsibilities

Tools/Key competencies

- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
- Knowledge of applied econometric research techniques, such as panel econometrics and/or time series analysis.
- Ability to manage large datasets (experience with firm level data would be an advantage).
- Excellent programming skills in Python and MATLAB are essential. Knowledge of other programming languages (R and Stata) would be an asset.

Languages

- Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
- Knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the research on developing the analytical macroeconomic and structural models.; Conduct quantitative, tailored applications to country cases.; Support the co-ordination of analytical work on macroeconomic modeling for policy analysis within the Division. The work should lead to the formulation of policy recommendations, based on sound economic theory and empirical analysis.; Provide technical support and guidance to research assistants, and, on occasion, trainees and external consultants involved in this work.; Contribute to analytic documents and papers on issues covered by modelling applications, for consideration by Committees and/or Working Parties, or for publication.; Draft reports and articles summarising empirical knowledge and quantitative results from the mdoels, recent economic developments or policy issues, either for inclusion in the Department's documentation (Economic Surveys, Working Papers, the Economic Outlook, Going for Growth and Policy papers) or for briefing senior officials.; Undertake ad-hoc and innovative analyses that contribute to the Organisation's understanding and capacity to comment on structural and macro-economic issues.; Gather information and data for the purpose of compiling specific databases. Check the data and ensure comparability.; Establish and maintain professional contacts and build networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations.; Undertake other tasks as may be required, including proof-reading of documents.; Assist with the organization of workshops.; Carry out other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

An advanced university degree in Economics.; A Ph.D. would be an advantage.; One to two years of experience with economic statistics and modern econometric techniques (including time-series and panel data techniques) as well as with the development, use and estimation of applied economic models. Experience in using sectoral and microdata would be an advantage.; Experience in research and analytical activities through studies, internships or one or two years of professional activities would be an advantage.; OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 1), Enable People (Level 1), Ethics and Integrity (Level 1), Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 1), Achieve Results (Level 2), Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).; To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies .