Economist – Economics & Sustainability
We are looking to add an Economist to the expanding Economics & Sustainability team within the broader Economic Impact and Sustainability Consulting team at Oxford Economics. The team tackles a wide range of questions raised by our clients, from quantifying the economic, environmental, and social impact of major companies and sectors, to better understanding their exposure to risk in an uncertain world, we apply our economics expertise to all things sustainability-related.
Our consulting projects usually run from a few weeks up to six months or longer, and we are increasingly focused on longer-term client relationships. Projects tend to have a mixture of stakeholder engagement, data collection, economic analysis, interpretation and presentation of results to clients. At any one time, there are several live projects across the Economics & Sustainability team, with around a couple dozen in progress across the broader Economic Impact and Sustainability Consulting directorate, which currently comprises approximately 35 staff.
About the Economist role on the Economics & Sustainability team
The role offers an excellent opportunity to work on evolving sustainability challenges and developing solutions with our diverse range of clients based all over the world and in a wide variety of sectors. As a member of the Economics & Sustainability team, you will have access to—and we would expect you to develop—expertise on economic and environmental impact, climate change, social value, and other aspects of sustainability. The field is rapidly evolving and of critical importance both on a global scale and increasingly to our private sector clients. This requires the ability to constantly innovate and react to an emerging market to help clients understand and improve their environmental performance and societal impact.
Economists typically work on several research projects at a given time, and are expected to contribute in a wide variety of ways, from contributing to the development of methodologies, to data analysis and economic modeling, to drafting deliverables to a high standard and interpreting and explaining results. With greater experience, Economists will progress to taking a lead on specific components of projects and proposals, and product development.
Given the inter-disciplinary nature of sustainability issues, members of the Economics & Sustainability team are also expected work with other Oxford Economics teams, such as those focusing on macroeconomic modelling or economic analysis at the industry or city and region level, to build on different areas of expertise to bring to clients. As well as strong quantitative analytical skills, our economists are expected to excel in written and verbal communication, allowing them to explain complex concepts in a clear and accessible way.
Job Description
We are looking for early-career candidates with an economics background and ideally some experience of delivering consultancy work, and some exposure to, or high degree of interest in, the application of economics to sustainability challenges.
Key elements of the role include the following:
- Take the lead on components of project work, undertaking robust and rigorous economic analysis in the delivery of consultancy projects;
- Apply quantitative analytical techniques to large datasets using software such as Excel and Python;
- Communicate economic concepts and the results of analysis with clients and other stakeholders effectively;
- Work with senior colleagues to develop research proposals, innovative methodologies, project reports and presentations;
- Be able to plan and structure one’s own project work, ensuring sufficient time for quality assurance from senior colleagues; and
- Take the initiative in suggesting ways to strengthen the quality of our analysis.
Person Specification
This exciting role would suit someone with up to two years of professional experience as an economist. Ideally, the successful candidate will have some exposure to applying economic analysis to environmental and social challenges. The successful candidate will be rigorous, adaptable and creative in seeking solutions to difficult economic questions; enthusiasm for using economics to improve the economic-social-environmental dynamic is a must. Applicants should also have the following attributes.
Essential:
- Strong aptitude for quantitative economic analysis using a variety of data sources and formats;
- Evidence of successful project work and report-writing;
- Familiarity with Excel and the formatting and analysis of large datasets;
- Evidence of being creative in using economics to answer practical questions, and thinking beyond standard application of economics to address environmental and social challenges;
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain economic concepts and quantitative results, as well as their implications, to non-specialists;
- Attention to detail and a commitment to going the extra mile to produce rigorous, accurate work, within the constraints of the time and resources available which meets or exceeds client expectations and creates positive impact; and,
- A drive to contribute to sustainability.
Desirable:
- A post-graduate degree in economics or a closely-related quantitative discipline;
- Experience with quantitative analysis software such as R or Python;
- Familiarity with analytical techniques such as IO modelling, cost-benefit analysis, econometric modelling or forecasting; and,
- Academic or professional experience working on applied environmental and social issues.
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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