Lead Economist

Introduction:

This position is located in the Department of Policy and Evaluation (DPE), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The mission of the Policy and Evaluation Department is to provide management of MCC’s annual country eligibility process for compact and threshold programs; oversee the development and implementation of MCC Threshold Programs; promote effective policy improvement in MCC’s compact and threshold operations; manage the technical economic analysis and evaluation methods that underpins MCC’s engagement with partner countries, manage MCC’s learning and results agenda by monitoring trends in global development policy and sharing lessons learned and best practices internally, internationally, and among USG agencies and other donors.

MCC is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected developing countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. To receive assistance, eligible countries are required to enter into a public agreement (Compact) with the MCC that includes a multi-year plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives, regular benchmarks to measure progress, multi-year financial plan, and a plan to ensure accountability for the use of MCA assistance.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Provides timely and accurate economic guidance and analysis, under tight deadlines, in environments where data can be limited and parameters relevant to the analysis are not always fully known or can shift quickly.

Develops or makes necessary revisions to models (e.g., cost-benefit analyses, beneficiary analysis, etc.) that are complex and requires a sophisticated application of economic theory to assess the economic impact of changes to Compacts.

Works closely with DCO colleagues during project development and provides input into program design processes to enhance the cost-effectiveness and targeting of investment proposals under consideration. During implementation, works closely with RCD and sector leads to maintain a current profile of the economics of ongoing projects, including the maintenance of current ERR models, and provides timely analysis of the economic implications of possible changes in project design.

Works closely with MCA colleagues and implementers in the field to strengthen their understanding of MCC’s use of economics in priority identification, project appraisal, and independent and rigorous evaluation.

Provides expert input to ensure Impact Evaluations are designed to address key public policy and

development questions that are likely to be informative for other, similar projects in similar contexts.

Provides expert analysis and advice on critical agency issues. Identifies reasons for the nature and

extent of program related problems that arise and investigates areas in need of improvements.

Recommends options that remedy problem situations.

Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the Position

Mastery of economic principles, concepts and practices sufficient to model complex economic concepts especially in conducting cost-benefit analysis, distributional analyses and beneficiary analyses.

Ability to apply complex economic principles, theories, concepts, methods, and techniques to issues of economic development or in developing countries with important economic policy implications.

Ability to draft comprehensive reports that provide recommendations in complex and critical areas of economic analysis.

Ability to work in developing countries and on developing country issues to provide sophisticated and authoritative economic guidance and analysis.

Ability to use a variety of statistical analysis software packages (e.g., STATA, SAS, SPPS).

Oral and written skills to develop comprehensive reports and to present and explain findings and

recommendations.

Factor 2 – Supervisory Controls

The supervisor provides administrative direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions of the organization. The incumbent independently plans, designs, and carries out programs, projects and studies. The work is reviewed for fulfillment of economic program objectives, and the overall effect of advice and influence on MCC economic programs. Recommendations for new projects and alterations of objectives are evaluated for such considerations as availability of funds and other resource issues and corporate priorities.

Factor 3 – Guidelines

Guidelines consist of broad policy statements and basic legislation that require extensive interpretation.

The economist uses judgment and ingenuity in interpreting the intent of legislation and broad program objectives. The incumbent is recognized as a technical authority in a field of economics with responsibility for the development of policies, standards and guidelines for use by other economists in order to meet new programs or legislative mandates.

Factor 4 – Complexity

The work is characterized by intensive efforts in economic program, project, or study planning,

coordination, and/or in problem solving or analysis for an area of economics where the economist

functions as a designated authority. The economic programs and systems analyzed are broad in scope, complex, and interrelated and often involve addressing economic issues and problems that have been referred by other economists. Decisions regarding what needs to be done are complicated by the extreme diversity of functional program and operations and their related systems.

Factor 5 – Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to study and integrate the findings of a number of economic efforts to define unknown conditions in order to develop criteria and new approaches for use by other economists. The incumbent provides expert advice to other economists on the interpretation of economic regulations and their application to controversial problems. The work affects the work of other expert economists and provides a definitive framework for the application of economic theories, concepts, and techniques.

Factor 6 – Personal Contacts

Personal contacts include analysts, specialists, and professional staff from within and outside MCC in a moderately unstructured setting. Contacts also include individuals or groups from outside the

corporation, including consultants, contractors, vendors, or representatives of professional associations, the media, or public interest groups, in moderately unstructured settings. Contacts also include agency officials who are several managerial levels removed from the employee. Must recognize or learn the role and authority of each party during the course of the meeting.

Factor 7 – Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to influence and persuade employees and managers to accept and implement economic findings, advice, guidance, and recommendations. May encounter resistance as a result of issues such as organizational conflict, competing objectives, or resource problems. Must be skillful in approaching contacts to obtain the desired effect; e.g., gaining compliance with established policies and regulations by persuasion or negotiation.

Factor 8 – Physical Demands

The work is sedentary. Travel may be required.

Factor 9 – Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting.