Senior/Lead Economist - Financial Institutions

EBRD
London - United Kingdom
S: Competitive

Role Overview

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) consists of a team of around 50 economists, analysts and support staff. It contributes to the operational, policy and strategy work of the Bank and provides intellectual leadership on the economic aspects of transition in the region.

OCE works with the Banking Department in structuring, appraising and monitoring investment projects that advance the transition to a market economy. OCE also initiates and participates in Bank policy initiatives, contributes to the development of country and sector strategies, and supports the Bank's operations by monitoring macroeconomic developments and risks. In addition, OCE undertakes economic research and produces the EBRD's Transition Report.
The Office is divided into three main pillars, each headed by a Director, with responsibilities for Project and Sector Assessment (2 Directors), Country Strategy and Policy and Research. The Project and Sector Assessment (PSA) pillar works closely with the Banking department and is primarily responsible for ensuring a strong transition impact of the Bank's operations and policy dialogue on sector reforms. PSA wishes to strengthen its capacity in project and sector assessment and related policy work in its Financial Institutions group, which covers banks, non-bank financial institutions (such as insurance, leasing and factoring), capital markets and equity funds. A regular appointment at Senior/Lead Economist level for a Financial Institutions' expert is sought in this context. They will work under the direction of the Director for Project and Sector Assessment.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Lead the Financial Institutions group in OCE, providing direction, professional expertise and policy advice, coordination and development support to the group;
Provide support to PSA management on Financial Institutions group matters and on cross-cutting issues more generally, e.g. methodology, policy debates such as the Vienna Initiative, Basel III implementation, etc.
Coordinate the deal flow with the Financial Institutions Business Group in Banking and help allocate the Financial Institutions economists and analyst to projects, covering both the pipeline and portfolio;
Develop and lead in cooperation with the Financial Institutions Business Group policy dialogue activities, including policy seminars, policy notes and participation in high level meetings and conferences;
Responsibility for the overview and coordination of work on Financial Institutions sector transition gaps;
Coordinate the OCE Financial Institutions team's input into Sector and Country Strategies.
Preparation of priority projects, frameworks and 'integrated approaches', and related policy dialogue, to deliver quality transition impact and sector reform;
Management of sector project reviews for OpsCom, SBIC, TC Com and TIMS meetings; responsibility for preparation of briefing material for high level meetings, Board, DAQs, etc.; and support effective portfolio management of TIMS;
Ensure consistency of sector assessments and transition ratings for Financial Institutions projects and provide quality assurance of Financial Institutions output and results reporting (OCE notes, benchmarking, ATC, TI value added, 'case law', wider messaging);
Oversight of sector group interactions with Banking and first port of call for explanations and resolution of disputes;
Advice and support to more junior economists and analysts; contribution to developing sector training programmes for the Financial Institutions group;
Coordination with regional economists and researchers in OCE to improve the impact of sector interventions.

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Extensive sector knowledge and professional work experience, gained for example through full-time employment in a relevant financial or government institution or in consultancy or financial services with exposure to strategy and policy;
A post-graduate degree in economics or a related field from a leading university; a PhD would be an advantage, as would an MBA;
Knowledge of project assessment, structuring and implementation and good experience in communicating results to non-economist decision makers at a senior level;
Strong track record of applying economic and policy analysis to operational strategy and economic policy making, including policy dialogues with senior officials and Ministers;
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, at the standard required for professional publication, official documents and official representation;
Proven ability to manage and mentor junior staff.

Competencies & Personal Attributes

Strong leadership, managerial and interpersonal skills and experience in a multicultural environment, with the ability to build effective teams and good working relationships;
Team player with strong multi-tasking skills;
Results orientation;
Strong communicator, with the ability to understand the needs of colleagues and clients and to communicate his or her point of view persuasively;
An ability to maintain a focus on sector development and transition goals while responding flexibly to operational needs;
Attracted to the mandate of the Bank as well as its multi-cultural environment;
Familiarity with the region of operations of the EBRD, and/or its languages, would be an advantage

Job summary