Research Economist

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

External09-08-2024Grade 7

Job Category:

ProfessionalFixed-termCHF95,716.00

This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO gives full regard to merit and diversity.

.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill four Research Economist positions in the Economic Research and Statistics Division (ERSD).

Applicants are invited to specify for which position(s) they are applying in their letter of motivation.

The Economic Research and Statistics Division provides economic analysis and research in support of the WTO’s operational activities, including monitoring and reporting on current economic news and developments.

General Functions

Under the overall guidance of the Chief Economist and under the direct supervision of Counsellors/Section Chiefs, the incumbents will conduct trade-related economic research and provide expert analysis of trade-related issues to the Secretariat.

Key responsibilities for all incumbents will include:

1.       Carry out economic and policy related research and analysis, including, as required, contributions to flagship reports of the Division; prepare expert analytical reports or parts of reports; provide expert analysis to Senior Management, and to other parts of the Secretariat, including in the context of dispute settlement and committee work.

2.       Contribute to keeping the Division, other parts of the Secretariat or the broader trade policy community abreast of relevant developments in research, including through participating in the organization of seminars, workshops, conferences, technical assistance and collaboration with other institutions.

Functions specific to each individual vacancy:

(a) Trade and macro-financial linkages: the incumbent in this area would be expected to carry out technical (including model-based) analysis and research on the interactions between trade and other macro-financial variables, including trade finance; analyse the role of trade in the business cycles’ variations; and master concepts related to economic policy coherence (between policy fields) at the global level.

(b) Forecasting: The chosen candidate would be expected to produce forecasts and nowcasts of international trade flows, including projections of goods and services trade by sector and region using state-of-the-art techniques to account for common features of trade data, including trends, seasonality, conditional heteroskedasticity, cointegration, and outlying observations. The incumbent should have proven knowledge of open-economy macroeconomics, including exchange rate concepts (spot and forward, real and nominal, bilateral and effective), interest parity, and purchasing power parity.

(c) Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling: the incumbent would conduct simulations with CGE models entailing: (i) preparation of baseline and policy shocks; (ii) adding modules to analyse policies in new and different areas; (iii) implementation of simulations; (iv) interpretation of results intuitively explaining projected changes in trade patterns; (v) reporting in a concise way on simulation results under time pressure. The simulations would be conducted on a wide range of topics relevant for the WTO, such as actual trade policy changes, long run trends in technology and policy, and policies implemented in the WTO.

(d) Trade theory and econometric modelling: the incumbent would stay current with economic academic research, conduct original research on the effects of trade and trade policy, including by using gravity models. The incumbent will keep up-to-date the WTO trade cost database and further research to understand its determinants and trends.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

A PhD in economics or a related field is required.

Knowledge and Skills:

General Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Good knowledge of international economics. Knowledge of relevant WTO agreements and the multilateral trading system is an asset.

Experience in building, maintaining and extending large databases for applied economic work.

Demonstrated ability to contribute relevant quantitative outputs to support trade policy analyses.

Ability to establish linkages between trade economics and other economic policy fields.

Familiarity with the work and operation of the WTO Secretariat would be an asset.

Excellent policy-oriented research and drafting skills (e.g. economic/analytical reports, background papers, working papers, papers to be published in academic journals). Experience in contributing to and coordinating economic reports of international renown would be an asset.

Excellent presentation skills, including in the context of expert panel and media appearances.

Proven publications record in peer-reviewed economic journals is an asset.

Specific Technical Knowledge and Skills for each individual vacancy:

(a) Trade and macro-financial linkages: substantial knowledge of international open economy, macro-economics, with a good understanding of international balance of payments and financial flows, including trade finance.

(b) Forecasting: highly developed technical and analytical skills, notably in data science, econometrics, and time-series analysis. Practical experience with economic forecasting in other international organizations, national administrations, or the private sector would be an asset.

(c) CGE modelling: highly developed technical and analytical skills, notably in the field of quantitative economic techniques. Proficiency in economic modelling software such as Gempack or Gams.

(d) Trade theory and econometric modelling: excellent knowledge of international trade theory. Highly developed technical and analytical skills, notably in the field of econometrics. Proficiency in econometric software, such as STATA. Proven ability to conduct research, preferably through publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals. Familiarity with gravity modelling.

Behavioural Skills

The candidate must have the ability to get along well with others and build professional relationships with colleagues; communicate information clearly and persuasively using facts and logical arguments; present technical information to a variety of audiences, including knowledgeable specialists, policymakers, and civil society groups; deal with conflict situations with colleagues and resolve differences constructively; work as part of a team or independently to achieve organizational objectives.

Work Experience:

Minimum 3 years' relevant experience, which may include experience gained during the PhD.

Languages:

Excellent command of English, both oral and written. A good working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an asset.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.