Economist

Role Responsibilities

The Economist is primarily responsible for conducting economic research, analysis and modelling in areas such as competitiveness, job creation, trade and investment attraction to inform strategic decision-making and program/policy development. In addition, the Economist will assist subject-matter experts across other ministries in designing innovative and complex economic models. A key responsibility includes interpreting and translating the results of economic analysis and modeling into actionable, useable information to inform policy decision makers - while meeting set deadlines. 

The Economist works with considerable independence in managing highly technical, innovative, and complex work, - often involving significant ambiguities (e.g. economic modeling, scenario development and strategy formulation), - requiring expert judgment and analytical rigour. The Economist is also expected to be capable of completing tasks successfully in a dynamic team environment. Guidance is mainly provided by the manager, director, inputs from the relevant stakeholders and direction from the Executive.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct economic research and analysis to support current state assessment of industries, sectors and regions, providing a foundation for strategic decision-making.
• Conduct analysis and identify sectors/industries opportunities based on the current state analysis.
• Provide support and advice to stakeholders in the interpretation of the studies/current state analysis.
• Identify data needs and sources, manage the design and maintenance of in-house databases.

Role Responsibilities continued

Develop the methodology and perform economic impact analyses, economic/econometric modeling, government programs economic evaluation, cash flow/ financial and business case modeling that inform strategic decision making and policy recommendations.

• Develop the appropriate theoretical, analytical and technical framework to facilitate the required economic analysis, modeling and business/economic research.
• Confirm assumptions with stakeholders to ensure that the analysis from the models are reasonable and has appropriate buy-in from the stakeholders.
• Document the analysis by providing an analytical report that contains the results as well as the methodology.
• Provide support and advice to the stakeholders in the interpretation of the results and/or subsequent iterations of the models.

Provide the necessary analysis for information requests, action requests and briefings.

• Respond to requests for economic/industry information and analysis originating from within government, from the media or from the public.
  Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative economic data from multiple authoritative sources, prepare relevant written and verbal interpretations of the findings, including complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  Provide direct briefings to senior executive on area of expertise.

Provide expert advice and assistance on the use and interpretation of economic/industry data from various financial, industry and economic databases, economic models, statistical methods, and analytical approaches.

• Provide advice/support on the use of data and models to stakeholders in ad hoc information requests.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of related academic literature and most recent development.
• Maintain familiarity with trends, programs, policies, and economic tools in other relevant jurisdictions, industries and/or sectors.

For a copy of the job description, please click on this link.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:

Drive for Results: Actively sets goals and remains open to advice on reaching them, identifies and corrects areas for improvement, suggests actions; asks for advice when lacking information or multiple priorities.

Creative Problem Solving: Open to new ideas and breaks problems down to identify solutions, constructively questions and challenges the norm and adapts existing practice to address problems.

Agility: Understands need for change and manages own emotions, uses common sense and past experience to approach ambiguous problems, looks for information on changes and is open to new ideas and helping co-workers.

Systems Thinking: Observes and understands larger impact of role, considers how own work impacts others and vice versa, asks questions to understand broader goals, aware of how organization adds value for clients and stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards 
University graduation in a related field (Ex. Economics, Finance, Statistics, Econometrics, Business, or related field) plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Qualifications Continued

The Economist requires knowledge and understanding of:

• Economic and technical expertise with a strong understanding of the structure and performance of the Alberta economy, as well as the broader Canadian and global economies.
• Strong knowledge of the business environment, industry dynamics, export and investment development, and competitiveness issues—and their impact on Alberta’s economy.
• Experience in conducting economic research or economic development studies.
• Experience in developing and using complex economic models (e.g. input-output models, structural models, etc.) and their application to inform decisions to support Alberta investments and job creation.
• Knowledge of financial related analysis (e.g., cash flow analysis, ROI calculations).
• Thorough knowledge of statistical and modeling software programs (R, Python and others) for advanced analytics and econometric/statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, Power BI, and economic tools and applications (e.g., economic impact calculators), along with familiarity with relevant web-based technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Extensive experience in using Statistics Canada and other databases.
• Working knowledge of divisional and departmental goals and objectives, including business plan objectives as well as working knowledge of provincial legislation and regulations affecting Alberta's business climate.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a permanent position and the hours of work are a total of 36.25 hours. 

A Cover Letter demonstrating your qualifications, experience and skills for this position is required and will be used as a screening tool. 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.