Senior Economist – Economics and Sustainability
About Oxford Economics
Oxford Economics is a global advisory firm founded in 1981 in partnership with Oxford University’s business college. We specialize in economic forecasting, modeling, and advisory services for companies, financial institutions, and governments worldwide. With offices in key locations around the globe, we employ a diverse team of economists, consultants, and industry experts, making us a leader in economic analysis and advisory services with limitless opportunities for career development.
About the Senior Economist (Economics & Sustainability) role
Senior Economists work on multiple research projects, contributing in various ways such as developing innovative methodologies, analyzing data, drafting high-quality deliverables, and presenting results to clients. With experience, they progress to designing analytical frameworks, leading client interactions, and project management. They collaborate with other teams at Oxford Economics, utilizing different expertise to provide powerful solutions. The role involves working with diverse clients worldwide and excelling in written and verbal communication. Senior Economists also engage in idea generation and research proposal production. Being part of the Economics & Sustainability team offers access to expertise in economic and environmental impact, climate change, and social value. The field requires constant innovation and adaptation to help clients improve their environmental performance and societal impact.
We are looking for candidates with an economics background and several years of experience of delivering consultancy work, including project management, preferably with exposure to the application of economics to sustainability challenges.
Key elements of the role include the following:
- Undertaking robust and rigorous economic and environmental analysis in the delivery of consultancy projects including applying quantitative analytical techniques to large datasets using a variety of tools;
- Taking the lead on aspects of project work, managing them from inception to completion addressing challenges along the way, including managing whole projects with the support of a project director;
- Communicating with clients and potential clients effectively, responding promptly and positively to their enquiries, with progression to leading on existing and potential client relationships;
- Working with senior colleagues to develop research proposals, innovative methodologies, and structing projects to meet client requirements, with progression to leading on the development of new proposals.
- Taking the initiative in suggesting ways to strengthen the quality of our analysis, including exploring new areas of application, with progression to proactively developing new business opportunities.
- Being able to plan and structure one’s own workload, balancing priorities across projects and other responsibilities with line manager support, with progression to line management responsibilities; and,
- Supporting the continued development of the team, sharing knowledge and expertise, and mentoring junior colleagues, and bringing new ideas and techniques to the team.
Person Specification
Senior Economists are expected to have at least four or five years of prior experience working as a professional economist. Ideally, the successful candidate will have experience 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. The successful candidate must also be able to pro-actively lead on the delivery of projects, so demonstrable project management experience is required. Applicants should also have the following attributes:
Essential:
- Experience within a consultancy context, delivering multiple projects to competing deadlines;
- Experience of quantitative economic analysis using a variety of data sources and formats;
- Strong skills in Excel or similar tools for the manipulation of large datasets;
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain economic concepts and quantitative results, as well as their implications, to non-specialists;
- Experience in project management, defining project scope, developing methodologies, managing inputs, and delivering outputs to high standards, involving both team and client management;
- Evidence of being creative in using economics to answer practical questions, and thinking beyond standard application of economics to address environmental and social challenges;
- Some experience applying economic tools and analysis to environmental and social issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social impact and inequality; and,
- A drive to contribute to sustainability, including a commitment to going the extra step, producing rigorous work within the context of resource constraints, and exceeding client expectations to create positive impact.
Desirable:
- A post-graduate degree in economics or a closely related quantitative discipline;
- Familiarity with analytical techniques including IO modelling, cost-benefit analysis, econometric modelling or economic forecasting;
- Experience with programming software such as Python or R, and other tools such as SQL, Tableau, and network interfacing;
- Knowledge of market activity and client drivers around sustainability, in particular emerging reporting and disclosures standards; and,
- Educational and professional consulting experience working on applied environmental and social issues.
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 local government laws.
Apply now