Junior research assistant for development of models for supporting average of 10% economic growth in Africa

Result of Service Two sets of models that can simulated to provide guidance to African countries on how to achieve an average annual growth of 10% over the medium to long term developed

Work Location Dakar, Senegal

Expected duration The assignment will be from 01st April to 17th June 2021

Duties and Responsibilities The ECA young economist network (ECA-YEN) seeks to create a platform to train, empower and engage a new generation of skilled young macroeconomic modelers who will champion macroeconomic modelling excellence on the continent. The recent global crisis has emphasized the importance for policymakers and economic agents of a realtime critical analysis of the prevailing macroeconomic environment leading to appropriate economic policies and measures for sustained growth and development. One of the main challenges for instance is the delay with which key macroeconomic indicators such as GDP and its components, but also fiscal variables, regional/sectoral indicators and disaggregate data, are released. ECA-YEN aims to promote the pool of these professionals. ECA-YEN will also contribute to the establishment of strong technical Macroeconomic Policy Research Units (MPRUs) to support policy decision-making in various African countries. Once established and resourced, such MPRUs will support Governments to effectively undertake economic policy analysis and formulation thus reducing its dependence on external technical experts and consultants. MPRUs will also be expected provide strong technical support to attaining and maintaining a stable macroeconomic stability for successful policy implementation in African countries. In line with YEN research activities, IDEP will select Ten Young Economist as Junior modelers to participate in a team of researchers that will develop two sets of models that can simulated to provide guidance to African countries on how to achieve an average annual growth of 10% over the medium to long term.

2. Duties and responsibilities: Under the general guidance of the Director of IDEP and the direct supervision of the Head of the Division of e-Learning, ICT and Knowledge Management, and OIC of Training and Research Division, the junior modelers are expected to perform the following tasks:

• Consult Senior modelers about assigned tasks and understand the timelines ;
• Review the necessary literature on the research area and the research methodologies towards the development of a generic country macroeconomic models
• Collect data and information obtained from relevant data sources for the models;
• Assist the team of senior modelers in model specifications and writing out reports
• Participate in publication
• Participate in the final report

• Participate in the production of policy brief.

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in macroeconomic, economics, applied econometrics, Development Economics, statistic, finance or related discipline is required. A first-level university degree with combination of 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A PhD is an advantage.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in economics, statistic, and econometrics is required. A good understanding of sustainable development and Africa macroeconomic and planning landscape is an asset.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English or French is required. Knowledge of the other is an advantage.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.