CHIEF ECONOMIST RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS

Applications are being invited from suitably qualified members for the following vacancy that has arisen in the Commission.

POST TITLE:
CHIEF ECONOMIST RESEARCH
AND POLICY ANALYSIS

REPORTSTO: DIRECTOR COMPETITIVENESS

The Position

This position requires a highly experienced and a mature professional who will work with the Director Competitiveness, Executive Director and associated stakeholders in shaping the industrial economic policy landscape across all sectors of the economy through evidenced based research, policy analysis, crafting recommendations and foster their implementation with a view to increase Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness, its products and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertaking evidenced based research and maintaining a comprehensive national statistical database for use in the analysis of competitiveness across all sectors of the economy;
• Provide regular research on sectorial productivity issues and value chains;
• Provide an analysis of the macroeconomic environment;
• Compiling an annual bench marking report on competitiveness to be called the National Competitiveness Report;
• Provide implications on policies and cost elements of the proposed new or old legislation with a view to make improvements or have repealed / not enacted.
• Conduct periodic regulatory reviews and provide recommendations that will effectively address critical regulatory competitiveness gaps.
• Carry out analysis of existing policies, processes, products and services; propose and where applicable recommend improvements in line with operational standards, legislation or organisational requirements;
• Design guidelines for implementation of new policies in line with Government, legislative and organisational requirements;
• Articulate the Commission’s position and strategy on issues (and related rationale) with accuracy and persuasion;
• Take leadership role in internal or external meetings as appropriate;
• Liaising w ith Development Partners, Sponsors, Government departments, Academia, Business Management Organisations (BMOs) and other relevant organisational bodies on competitiveness;
• Provide policy support, coordinate policy related committees and meetings as well as engaging in cross sectoral networking and relationship building;
• Represent the Commission effectively on inter-agency working policy groups and form sound working relations;
• Assisi in the development of annual and strategic plans for the Commission; and
• Manage assigned work streams to ensure departmental objectives are met.

Key Deliverables

• Producing annually well researched Zimbabwe Competitiveness benchmarking report focusing on the key parameters for regional and global market and foreign direct investment competitiveness;
• Adoption and implementation of a national Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA);
• Ensure that organisational and policy recommendations are informed by an in depth know ledge of sector dynamics, emerging sector issues, national priorities as well as insight from relevant stakeholders;
• Provide support and guidance on monitoring and evaluation framew orks w ith a view to ensure high standards, policy effectiveness and quality outcomes;
• Support the Director, Executive Director on impact monitoring and evaluation exercises;
• Ensure successful implementation of plans and achieve set targets within the approved budget;
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis.
• Facilitate dialogue and interface between the Commission and its key stakeholders within and outside Zimbabwe; and
• Production and publication of regular policy briefs on competitiveness.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Degree in Economics or a Social Science discipline.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Verifiable experience in Economic Policy Analysis and Research work.
• Familiarity with the legal review and law drafting processes.
• Results driven and ability to relate with various stakehoIdersat all levels.
• At least 5 years’ experience in policy formulation under the Government or Business Management Organisation set up.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis
• High conceptual ability and know ledge of policy making at enterprise level.
• Good oral and writing skills.

NATIONALCOMPETITIVENESS COMMISSION
Benefits
A competitive remuneration and benefits package commensurate with deliverables will be on offer to the right candidate.