View Vacancy – Economics Officer

The British Embassy in Rabat is seeking a hard working team player to take up the position of Economics Officer, grade B3 (L), to start in February 2022.

Main purpose of the job:

The role will support the deepening of the UK’s bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco by providing insightful reporting and analysis on economics, trade, prosperity, climate action and green recovery and socio-economic development in Morocco, in line with the Embassy’s strategic priorities, and as we implement the UK-Morocco Association Agreement.

In doing so, the job holder will be part of, and support, the Embassy’s Prosperity Working Group, (which coordinates our trade, political, climate and private sector development leads). The job holder will have a strong network of public and private sector contacts on Morocco’s political economy and be able to provide concise analysis at short notice on economic issues in Morocco or internationally.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a good understanding of economics (macro and political) and have experience providing comprehensible economic analysis in support of policy and programmatic decision-making. The successful candidate will have strong analytical and communication skills, and will be able to deliver multiple tasks to tight deadlines. The successful candidate will be a good networker, possess sound judgement and able to see the bigger picture, working with colleagues to identify connections and opportunities to support UK interests in Morocco. They will be responsive to tasking and will work collaboratively and consultatively with colleagues.

Main duties and responsibilities:

1. Conduct regular economic research and produce economic reporting and analysis in writing and verbally, that supports policy making and meets the needs of Embassy and UK Government stakeholders, including highlighting key economic/business/financial/socio-economic developments, policy changes and foreign investments, as well as changes in the regional and international context that could affect Morocco’s economy and their implications for British economic, development, trade and prosperity objectives in Morocco and the wider region, particularly in Africa).

2. This will include producing:

• a tailored monthly economic report;
• contributions to the weekly political news summary;
• updating on economic developments on a fortnightly basis to the Prosperity-Working Group whilst considering implications and opportunities for the UK as well as areas where we can leverage UK expertise and increase its influence; and
• on-demand economic analysis e.g. to support policy decisions.

3. Support existing or future economic/financial programming (and, subject to future funding)).

4. Possess and expand a strong network of public and private sector economic contacts to support the objectives of the Embassy, Department for International Trade and UK private sector including amongst analysts/academics/think tanks and relevant donors.

5. Act as a go-to economic contact with central FCDO and other government departments and UK economic/financial institutions including HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority.

6. Monitor, ensure timely UK input into, and share insights into, the economic activities and objectives of multilateral development institutions in Morocco (including e.g. IMF Article 4 reviews, World Bank reports).

7. Engage in the generation and delivery of initiatives that publicly promote UK-Morocco relations and cooperation, including in relation to prosperity and climate action/green recovery, for example follow up to COP26.

8. Contribute to the organisation of visits to Morocco by senior UK officials and ministers, including through input into briefings, and programmes, and to the preparation of events such as speaking engagements, dinners and receptions.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. 

Key Competences:

• Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
• Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Seeing the Big Picture: Is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.
• Engaging Internationally: Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives.

• Economics degree or other higher level qualification including a strong economic element.
• Fluent in English, French, and Arabic (Darija) both written and oral.
• Competent communication skills in English, including accurate drafting ability, particularly communicating economic information and analysis to non-economists.
• Strong people skills, including being able to generate and maintain useful contacts.
• Ability to work independently but also to collaborate and coordinate closely with colleagues.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to tasking, including paying close attention to detail when needed and being able to re-prioritise at short notice.
• Appreciation of the risks and opportunities of different courses of action and sound judgement of when to consult colleagues.