Economic Adviser G7 at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:

Nigeria is one of the most important countries for the UK in Africa and home to one of FCDO’s biggest development portfolios. Nigeria’s economy has enormous potential to create wealth, raise living standards, improve development indicators and lift millions of people out of poverty. But the country is also grappling with serious challenges such as high inflation, conflict, demography and climate change.

Meeting the UK’s priorities in Nigeria requires top class economic advice on issues including economic stability and growth, investment and trade, infrastructure and service delivery, climate change and security. In particular, the UK seeks to support Nigeria to restore macroeconomic stability and lay the basis for sustained and inclusive growth.

FCDO Nigeria requires an experienced economist to join its Economic Development team supporting the UK’s work in Nigeria. Country-based economists are essential for FCDO’s work due to their economic technical expertise, their knowledge of Nigeria’s economy and its institutions, and their ability to develop strong networks amongst government, businesses, economic analysts and others.

As well as working with FCDO economists in Nigeria and across FCDO’s global network, you will work closely with people bringing other expertise and experience, such as climate and natural resource experts, political and governance specialists, education advisers, humanitarian experts, programme managers, procurement teams and so forth.

Roles and responsibilities:

In this role you will be responsible for the following range of tasks:

• Assessing Nigeria’s economic policies and performance and providing advice to others in FCDON based on your assessment
• Undertaking original economic analysis useful for FCDON e.g. of monetary, fiscal and external policies and structural reforms (including using your quantitative skills)
• Reviewing, assessing and distilling reports by others on Nigeria’s economic policies and performance (by government institutions, IMF, WB, AfDB, NESG, banks, analysts)
• Managing FCDO projects that support Nigerian institutions with their economic and development objectives
• Engaging independently with the Nigerian government at a senior level, with businesses, thinktanks and civil society bodies to discuss a range of domestic and international economic issues
• Liaising and coordinating for the UK with other donors/international partners on their analysis, support and engagement in Nigeria
• Creating and maintaining effective networks in government, private sector etc that help FCDON keep well-informed on economic developments.
• You will undertake these tasks in support of a number of sector or thematic objectives. The exact role will depend on the strengths of the successful candidate and FCDO business needs, but will include substantive leadership and/or economic advice in some of the following areas:
• Macroeconomic reform including fiscal and monetary policies and exchange rate reforms
• Economic growth and transformation, tax revenue policy and administration, public financial management, oil and gas sectors, infrastructure, including energy, power and transport
• Trade policy, the business environment, financial sector, technology, agriculture and climate
• Project appraisal and VfM assessment of development policies and programmes
• Impact of policies or economic shocks on women, youth, disabled people, poor and vulnerable

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 

• Fluency in written and spoken English. 
• Excellent economic skills and a track record of delivering high-quality, impactful and timely economic analysis that shapes and influences policy.
• Strong analytical skills, feeling confident in using data, drawing policy-relevant conclusions, and in supporting others to do so.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain economic concepts to non-specialist audiences and identify the implications for policy.
• 2:1 undergraduate degree with at least 50% of economics in the final two years, or a post graduate diploma, or a Master’s degree in economics
• A minimum of three years’ experience working in economic roles