Economist, Cities – Middle East
Oxford Economics is a leading global provider of economic forecasts, research, and consulting solutions. We are seeking an Economist or Senior Economist to join our Cities Team, to focus on Middle Eastern city and regional forecasting and analysis. The position is based in London, with regular travel to our Dubai office and to visit clients across the region likely.
We are looking for candidates with an economics background and several years’ experience of delivering consultancy work, including project management, preferably for clients across the Middle East. The role offers the successful candidate the opportunity to contribute to, and help develop, our existing forecasting services, and work a range of consultancy projects.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing company at the forefront of the industry. We offer a rewarding work environment with room for growth, highly competitive salary package (including bonus plan), and an excellent benefits package.
Forecasting
Our Middle Eastern Cities Forecasting Service covers key cities across the region, and you will contribute directly to the production of socio-economic forecasts and analysis for these locations. For this aspect of the role, the ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of the economic structure of Middle Eastern economies, familiarity with the unique demographic and social trends in the Middle East, and a broad knowledge of regional current affairs.
Consulting
Typical consultancy projects in the Middle East range from assessing regional development strategies, to economic impact assessments, and city master planning. Our clients in the region often require analysis and forecasts for bespoke geographies and indicators, and a key requirement of the role will be tailoring solutions to meet these unique needs. The ideal candidate will have delivered similar projects in a previous role, and will have experience in any of economic forecasting, economic impact analysis, and/or urban planning.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will contribute to all aspects of the production, delivery and development of our subscription services and a range of consultancy projects. This includes:
- Forming baseline economic forecasts and alternative scenarios for cities across the Middle East;
- Producing insightful economic analysis for these cities, including for quarterly outlook publications and in-depth research reports;
- Articulating key messages from our forecasts via reports, webinars, presentations and in client meetings;
- Developing and identifying new datasets to enhance the offering of our subscription services and consultancy projects;
- Undertaking robust and rigorous analysis in the delivery of consultancy projects, including applying quantitative analytical techniques to large datasets using a variety of tools, including economic impact modelling;
- Contributing to and leading project work, managing projects from inception to completion, and addressing challenges along the way;
- Working with senior colleagues to develop research proposals, innovative methodologies, and structuring projects to meet client requirements, with progression to leading on the development of new proposals;
- Communicating with clients and potential clients effectively, responding promptly and positively to their enquiries, and building on existing and new client relationships;
- Balancing priorities across multiple projects and forecasting responsibilities, with the potential for progression to line management responsibilities.
Candidate Requirement
The successful candidate should have a genuine interest in Middle Eastern economies and at least 2 years’ relevant experience. Skills and qualifications relevant to this role include:
- A strong academic background in economics or a related discipline;
- Excellent analytical and quantitative skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain technical concepts and quantitative results, to non-specialists;
- Experience in using database programming languages using software such as EViews, R, Stata or Python is desirable.
Our Team
Our Cities Team, consisting of around 40 economists, has an outstanding forecasting track record and produces high quality economic research. Our analysis and forecasts for Middle Eastern cities form part of our unique suite of services that cover more than 8,000 cities and regions across the world. Recent examples of our work is available to view on our Resource Hub.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you meet the person specification and where you have relevant experience of elements and attributes of the role.
Oxford Economics is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
About Oxford Economics
Oxford Economics was founded in 1981 as a commercial venture with Oxford University’s business college to provide economic forecasting and modelling to UK companies and financial institutions expanding abroad. Since then, we have become one of the world’s foremost independent global advisory firms, providing reports, forecasts and analytical tools on more than 200 countries, 250 industrial sectors, and 8,000 cities and regions. Our best-of-class global economic and industry models and analytical tools give us an unparalleled ability to forecast external market trends and assess their economic, social and business impact.
Headquartered in Oxford, England, with regional centres in London, New York, and Singapore, Oxford Economics has offices across the globe in Belfast, Boston, Cape Town, Chicago, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, Philadelphia, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto. We employ 400 full-time staff, including more than 250 professional economists, industry experts and business editors—one of the largest teams of macroeconomists and thought leadership specialists. Our global team is highly skilled in a full range of research techniques and thought leadership capabilities, from econometric modelling, scenario framing, and economic impact analysis to market surveys, case studies, expert panels, and web analytics.
Oxford Economics is a key adviser to corporate, financial and government decision-makers and thought leaders. Our worldwide client base now comprises over 2,000 international organisations, including leading multinational companies and financial institutions; key government bodies and trade associations; and top universities, consultancies, and think tanks.
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