VACANCIES

Chief Economists of Government (CEoG) Presidential Fellowship

Posted: March 8, 2023
TERMS OF REFERENCE

This document outlines the terms of reference for CEoG Presidential Fellows working in support of the Chief Economic Advisor and the Executive Director of the National Economic Council (NEC) of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Support for this Fellowship is provided by the Chief Economists of Government initiative (CEoG), a peer network of 40 chief economic advisors to the heads of executive branches of government across 40 sub-Saharan African countries. The initiative aims to strengthen knowledge-based policymaking in African countries by supporting senior economic advisors to presidents and prime ministers across the continent. It is managed out of the World Bank’s Africa Chief Economist Office.

The Fellowship is implemented by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET).

Background and Rationale

Somalia has made significant progress and realized important milestones in rebuilding its economy as a country emerging from over two decades of instability. The Federal Government received considerable support from the international community but has continued to face considerable insecurity and political instability, weak institutional capacity, an adverse impact on climate, and food insecurity, which have constrained recovery and reconstruction. Somalia has not met any of the Millennium Development Goals targeted for 2015. Abject poverty in the country is estimated to be about 70%, significantly higher than the 51% estimate for SubSaharan Africa. Somalia’s annual economic growth, which averaged 2% between 2016 and 2019, was adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a decline in domestic production in 2020.

To enhance and sustain inclusive economic growth and alleviate chronic poverty, Somalia must enhance its response to shocks and put relevant measures in place to address macroeconomic instability. This goal requires developing effective policies and strategies to promote investments, build resilience by addressing adverse climate changes and food insecurity, expand resource mobilization, diversify Somalia’s productive economic base, and enhance exports towards ensuring debt sustainability and lessening aid dependence.

The President of Somalia has therefore, tasked the chief economist with accelerating macroeconomic and structural reform policies in the country. These reforms include public financial management and other monetary policies as well as the formulation of a Vision 2060 strategy that will promote inclusive growth and prosperity for Somalia. The Chief Economist requires technical support to deliver on these goals. The CEoG Presidential Fellowship program, therefore, serves as a vehicle to secure such expertise.

The CEoG Presidential Fellowship, aims to prepare a corps of African economic professionals to serve as the next generation of policy makers and thought leaders who champion economic transformation. CEoG Presidential Fellows are positioned to gain hands-on experience with policy design and implementation by working directly with chief economic advisors to African heads of state as they provide economic advice at the highest level of governance. CEoG fellows are expected to deepen their professional insights and develop their own leadership and technical skills under the supervision and direction of the host advisor. Fellows are also expected to contribute to overall policy design, undertake research, and help aggregate stakeholder views to inform the finalized transformative policy outputs in their host CEoG units.

Where possible, ACET will support learning among host units, to foster good practice and appropriately leverage lessons learned in the policy design and implementation process.

Scope of work

Job Summary: The overarching responsibility of the CEoG Fellow is to conduct research and support the Chief Economist in policy formulation.

Specific Duties
  • Conduct research in areas of specialization, such as macroeconomics, international
    trade, economic and social sectors, or any other relevant areas.
  • Review and analyze data to prepare reports, forecast economic and social trends, and
    keep abreast with economic changes.
  • Provide recommendations on policies or plans to resolve the economic and social
    challenges of the nation.
  • Conduct in house studies and research projects and collaborate on commissioned
    studies and contributions made by consultants.
  • Support the dissemination of research outputs and other information as assigned.
  • Share progress reports on projects with their immediate supervisor as frequently as
    required.
  • Prepare monthly reports to immediate supervisor and other stakeholders.
  • Perform other duties as required and assigned by the Chief Economist.

The Fellow will carry out a range of research support tasks and analytical assignments under the guidance of Chief Economist /NEC Executive Director.

Responsibilities and deliverables will include:

  • Research studies and programs reviewed and properly executed.
  • Research products and papers published and presented at the NEC and national forums.
  • Demand-driven studies coordinated and conducted with national and international
    scholars and partners.
  • Proposals submitted for funding.
General Qualifications
  • At minimum, completed a master’s degree in economics or closely related fields. PhD
    preferred.
  • 2-7 years of relevant professional experience, including internships, teaching, and
    consultancies.
  • Proven track record in policy or economics research.
  • Strong analytical and quantitative skills – knowledge of statistical and econometric
    techniques and economic analysis.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English.
  • Ability to leverage technical knowledge and experience to help identify, analyze, and
    execute best practice.
  • Good leadership abilities, strong interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated history of
    teamwork.
  • An excellent record on professional integrity including confidentiality around data,
    effective communication, and any other relevant professional capacities.
Country-specific Qualifications
  • General knowledge about Somalia, and fluency in a Somali language would be an asset.
Additional Information

The fellowship is expected to cover a one-year period with the possibility of a one-year extension. The start date of the Fellowship is April 17th 2023. The application deadline is March 20th 2023. The fellow is expected to perform this assignment either remotely (home-based), or from Nairobi, Kenya, with possible field missions as required. Physical presence in Nairobi would be preferred.

ACET will pay the Fellow’s compensation commensurate with consultancy compensation for junior to mid-level economists and special advisors with similar educational backgrounds and experiences in the host units. Return-flights and visa costs for the Fellow’s travel from and to the destination will be provided.

To apply for this position, please fill out this questionnaire and send your CV and a brief letter of interest to [email protected].

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