Ideation Center Impact Evaluation Economist

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Context The Ideation Center is the think tank arm of Strategy& that focuses on thought leadership and growing a number of distinct functional capabilities including evidence generation and impact evaluation, behavioural economics, foresight, and innovation-as-a service.

Within this context, the Ideation Center is growing its evidence and evaluation functional capability. This capability aims to work closely with clients and client staff to support in the impact assessment of programs and policies across various sectors and policy areas, using experimental and quasi-experimental approaches. It also aims to develop new thought leadership pieces based on evidence-based approaches, conduct economic analyses, generate evidence and develop indices, etc. We are looking to hire an Impact Evaluation Economist to work closely with the Centre’s leadership and support in growing this vertical.

Primary duties and responsibilities - Design Evaluation Frameworks: Develop methodologies and frameworks for evaluating the impact of economic policies, programs, or interventions. This involves selecting appropriate indicators, data collection methods, and analytical techniques to measure and analyze economic outcomes. - Conduct Impact Assessments: Design and implement alternative forms of impact evaluations to assess the effectiveness of development projects, policies, or interventions. - Data Management: Oversee the collection, cleaning, and management of data required for impact evaluations. This may involve working with large datasets, ensuring data quality, and developing data collection instruments. - Quantitative Analysis: Apply advanced econometric and statistical methods to analyze data and assess the causal impact of interventions on economic variables. This may include employing techniques such as regression analysis, instrumental variables, propensity score matching, or difference-in-differences. - Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the economic efficiency of interventions, comparing the costs of implementation with the benefits accrued. Assess the economic returns on investment and provide recommendations for resource allocation based on cost-effectiveness considerations. - Socioeconomic Impact Assessment: Assess the broader socioeconomic implications of policies or interventions, including their effects on employment, income distribution, poverty alleviation, and social welfare outcomes. - Policy Analysis: Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations aimed at improving economic efficiency, productivity, and welfare. Collaborate with policymakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to inform evidence-based decision-making. - Capacity Building: Provide technical assistance and training to local partners and stakeholders involved in impact evaluation activities. This includes building their capacity to design, implement, and interpret rigorous evaluations, thereby promoting sustainability and knowledge transfer. - Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders throughout the evaluation process is important to ensure buy-in, data access, and effective implementation of evaluations.

Writing and Production - Support in developing engaging and differential thought leadership pieces of various formats - Contribute to the writing process by developing reports/ papers/ policy briefs and working closely with editors and counterparts - Tailor content to different contexts and audiences including client deliverables - Work closely with the various teams to ensure final production (e.g., creative design, layout, etc.) Communication and Networking - Manage projects, and adopt agile ways of working to efficiently coordinate between them and maintain meaningful relationships - Adapt and operate effectively in different environments and for different types of projects, maintaining a positive and constructive attitude in the face of complexities - Coach junior team members and support them in their development and apprenticeship, inviting everyone to share ideas and actively participate to the project at hand - Support in developing partnerships with other knowledge partners, including think tanks, universities, etc. - Support the development of marketing and communication plans, in partnership with marketing and communications team

Knowledge, skills, and abilities Qualifications: - Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in economics or a related field with a focus on econometrics, applied economics, or development economics. - 8+ years of experience in conducting impact evaluations or econometric research in relevant sectors or policy areas. - Demonstrated expertise in conducting impact evaluations, cost-benefit analysis or econometric research in relevant sectors or policy areas. - Expertise in advance analytical tools such as natural language processing, geographic information systems highly desirable - Previous experience working in social impact consulting organization, international organization, policy/academic institution and/or think tank is highly desirable - Familiarity with economic theory, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. - Knowledge of cost-benefit analysis techniques and economic evaluation methods.

Skills: - Strong knowledge of alternative impact evaluation methodologies - Strong econometric skills - Strong data analytics and visualization skills - Strong cost-benefit skills - Strong project management skills - Excellent written and verbal communication skills - Fluency in English is a must and competency in Arabic is preferred