The British High Commission in South Africa is hiring and invites applications for the post of Economic Officer.
Application deadline : 16 March 2023
Salary: R 643,242.53 per annum | Start Date : 1 April 2023
Main purpose of job: Many countries, including middle-income countries – where around 60% of the world’s poor live – still face considerable challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, high and persistent inequality (including gender inequality) and digital exclusion, which can lower long-term growth prospects.
The British High Commission in South Africa delivers a portfolio of activities to support the broad-based and inclusive growth needed for poverty reduction.
Our strategic priorities within the Economic Growth team include supporting trade and investment, improving business environment and economic reform, driving productivity in key sectors through education, employment and skills development, improving digital access, support for entrepreneurship and MSMEs and sustainable urban development.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a prominent role in the economic and political work of the British High Commission in South Africa.
The jobholder will work alongside colleagues from across the office to help senior decision makers in the mission and the UK understand economic developments in South Africa.
The successful candidate will need to build an extensive network of economic contacts within South Africa, drawing on these to provide quick, informed analysis and advice on issues as they emerge alongside the political team.
They will also need to provide longer, more detailed analytical pieces to explain complex economic issues to a non-specialist audience, as well as regular updates on the overall performance of the economy.
As well as ensuring British officials in South Africa and the UK understand the South African economy, the job holder will also have the opportunity to work on policy development, working with officials from the British and South African governments to influence policy making.
Roles and responsibilities:
Lead on rapid reporting of important and emerging developments in South Africa’s economy, with quick analysis and commentary on economic data releases such as GDP, unemployment and interest rates.
Alongside this, produce longer analytical pieces to inform wider work in the High Commission.
Provide written briefings and policy advice to a wide range of stakeholders in the UK government, based in both South Africa and the UK, ahead of visits by Ministers and senior officials and international meetings (for example G20, IMF spring meetings etc).
Proactively build a strong network of economic contacts to inform reporting and policy advice, and support visits by Ministers and officials from the UK to South Africa.
Regularly present on South Africa’s economy, including weekly briefings to the High Commissioner and wider team on South Africa’s economic developments, bi-monthly briefings to His Majesty’s Treasury, and in quarterly induction sessions for new joiners.
Proactively support other teams in the British High Commission in understanding economic developments and ensuring their work is informed by strong economic analysis.
Build and maintain strong links into the UK government, in particular in His Majesty’s Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Bank of England.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Possible management of project funding.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- University degree or equivalent professional experience in political economy, economics or finance
- Strong influencing, communicating and networking skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to produce clear and concise reports for different types of audiences
- Capability to think strategically; sound judgement and problem solving skills
- Aptitude to analyse and process complex information quickly
- Ability to work on multiple tasks under pressure and meet deadlines
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Previous experience (2+ years) working in an economics role
Required behaviours
- Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The High Commission has an excellent personal development offer and the job would suit a self-starter keen to take advantage of this.
They will have the opportunity to develop their skills in economic and political analysis and will get involved in other areas of work such as communications and events.
The jobholder will also have access to the FCDO’s learning platform Global Learning Opportunities. Other development opportunities could potentially include specialist training.
The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.
- Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
- Working hours per week of 36.5
