Economist, MC-110-4C

This position is located in the Economic Analysis Division, Department of Policy and Evaluation (DPE), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). MCC uses a pay-band system to compensate employees. This position is pay band 4C which is generally equal to GS-11. This position will be filled under Direct-Hire Authority (DHA). Any qualified applicant may be selected without regard to competitive rating and ranking and veterans' preference procedures.

Major duties

Conducts growth diagnostic (constraints analysis) research for MCC programs under development. Employs statistical and economic analysis including as outlined in the academic literature on growth diagnostics. Contributes to cost benefit analysis (CBA) to ensure the cost-effectiveness of MCC programs. Applies industry standard cost benefit analysis practices. Conducts research on potential benefit streams among other economic analysis. Supports diagnostic studies (i.e. root cause analysis) of individual sectors (such as electricity, education, transportation, etc.,) applying sector knowledge and economic logic. Supports beneficiary analysis that builds on the CBA to identify beneficiaries. Analyzes and drafts recommendations on sector requirements and reforms that will stimulate private investment and optimize impact on economic growth. Supports Evaluation Management Committees through review of evaluation design reports, and interim and other evaluation reports regarding appropriate methodologies and evaluation approaches, data, learning opportunities, and clarity of findings. Contributes to preparation of and participates in program performance reporting and management reviews. Participates in regular performance reviews of projects and programs. Attends and contributes to meetings with country teams, host country stakeholders, US government officials, and other partners in host countries. Helps organize meetings, conferences, training sessions, and other events. Contributes to the written and oral communication of the results of research and analyses. Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To qualify for Pay Band 4C applicants must meet the following: Basic Requirements Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. AND In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, applicants must also have one year of specialized experience (comparable to the Pay Band 5A or GS-9 or equivalent non-federal experience), which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, examples of specialized experience are: conducting research or studies associated with the cost benefit analysis (CBA) of public investments, especially in developing countries; applying economic theory, principles, methods, and techniques used in the conduct of cost benefit analysis in lower and lower-middle income country contexts; conducting growth diagnostic (constraints analysis) research; conducting research for sector diagnostic studies (i.e. root cause analysis) or beneficiary analysis; applying statistical or programming software (such as Stata or R) to manipulate, clean and analyze economic data, including large data sets such as household and/or firm surveys; and communicating orally and in writing to develop comprehensive reports and to present and explain complex economic findings and recommendations. Note: This experience MUST be well documented within your resume or application. OR Applicants may also qualify based on completing 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree. Such educations must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. OR Applicant may qualify based on having a combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. Desirable: Advanced degree in economics, public policy or a closely related field that has a quantitative analysis component. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit may be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. To receive credit you must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours worked per week. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer. It is important that your resume fully reflects all of your directly-related work experience. Salary offers include three key factors: The selectee's directly related experience at the same level as the position. The selectee's overall experience in a particular area. The salaries of employees in similar positions and with similar levels of experience. MCC also takes the selectee's skill set into account. Applicants should note that salary offers seldom fall near the upper end of the salary range listed in the vacancy announcement. Salary may be set from the minimum to the midpoint of the salary range of the pay band. In some instances, based on a selectee's extensive experience directly related to the position, salary may be set at or above the mid-point up to the maximum salary for that pay band. See information on MCC base pay ranges and salary structure (https://www.mcc.gov/careers/compensation/).