Position Description for Resident Economist

For additional information or to apply for the economist position, please contact us at [email protected].

EconMAP Economist

The Graduate School USA is urgently recruiting an economist to join a resident economic advisory team in the three North Pacific developing countries of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, as part of a program sponsored by the Asian Development Bank. The position, resident for ten months of the year in one of the three countries, is intended to support the operations of the finance ministry/department, as well as to build local capacity. The economist should have experience in macroeconomic and/or fiscal policy planning. Preference will be given to candidates with (Pacific) developing country experience and statistical expertise. Competitive salary, housing and benefits will be provided.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review www.econmap.org. To express interest, please send a CV to [email protected] no later than 04 December 2023.

The EconMAP Program and Functions

The Economic Monitoring and Analysis Program (EconMAP) is managed by the Graduate School USA and supported by the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs. Supplemental program funding has been supplied by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, among others. EconMAP was established in 2006 with a dual focus on the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Since 2011 EconMAP has also supported the Republic of Palau. In all three freely-associated states, EconMAP monitors economic performance and assists with annual comprehensive updates of fiscal and economic statistics.

The EconMAP Team

The EconMAP team is managed by a GSUSA program Director in Honolulu and a team leader resident in Palau. The additional economist will be resident in one of the three Freely-Associated States (FAS), complementing the existing economic and statistical team. The remaining EconMAP team is represented by two part-time economists resident in Honolulu and Washington DC.

Partners

EconMAP team maintains a close working relationship with FAS finance and statistics offices. Counterparts range from experienced senior officials to new staff needing guidance and assistance. The division of work is split between the FAS and EconMAP, depending on the capabilities of each finance and statistics office.

A key partner and funding source is the Asian Development Bank; (ADB). Additional core functions of the EconMAP program are funded through the Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs through a contract to publish annual economic reports and statistics.

EconMAP has a close relationship with the donor community: the IMF, the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre in Suva, the ADB, and the World Bank. The EconMAP statistical series and reports are critical information for these agencies to fulfill their respective mandates and programs. EconMAP times its data production to coincide with annual IMF Article IV consultations and staff visits. The program has also developed a close relationship with the ADB in support of its programs during the COVID-19 period, and has been awarded several ADB contracts, including a regional TA on filling data gaps relating to migration, remittances, foreign investment, and small businesses.

Key Qualifications for the Job

This role requires knowledge and experience in macroeconomic and fiscal planning, preferably with (Pacific) developing country experience and statistical expertise. Experience in a developing country context and an ability to relate and work with local staff in overseas countries is critical.