(977) Senior Economic Statistician - ESD

Job title: Senior Economic Statistician

Location: Head Office, Pretoria 

Department description: Economic Statistics Department

Brief description

The main purpose of this position is to support the Economic Statistics Department in providing comprehensive economic and financial statistics and data, adhering to international best practices. This involves collecting, processing and conducting in-depth analyses of relevant data within an integrated macroeconomic framework. 

Detailed description

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Provide guidance on the strategic focus areas for the department and strengthen oversight on the implementation of initiatives across the statistical value chain.
• Identify strategic challenges, opportunities and priorities for the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) from own analysis of current domestic and global economic activity and research findings.
• Conduct research and analysis to inform policy formulation, set research priorities, guide other Economic Statisticians in their research and report writing, and lead internal and external engagements. 
• Ensure the accuracy of all relevant short-term economic indicators and disciplines covered in the Quarterly Bulletin and integrate analysis across all areas of the economy.
• Contribute to the quality assurance of all relevant statistical data publications.
• Participate in the design and development of new statistical datasets and indicators on emerging issues, including data gap initiatives. 
• Work to enhance the systems, processes and tools used to compile and visualise statistics in the area of work.
• Lead team engagements within and across teams/divisions to examine and reconcile data, findings, insights, explanations and recommendations from research and analysis.
• Review draft reports analysing short-term economic activity in the South African economy.
• Conduct and explain methodological research and analysis on short-term changes in economic indicators and complex economic phenomena affecting monetary policy. 
• Oversee research on methodological practices, make improvement recommendations, mentor Economic Statisticians, prepare case studies and run seminars or learning circles internally and externally.
• Lead internal evaluations of methodologies and continuous improvement of research or statistical methodologies and practices.
• Apply knowledge and professional judgement of statistical process, methodologies and technologies used nationally and internationally and communicate this understanding to stakeholders to ensure the establishment of fit-for-purpose outputs.
• Prepare and present documentation/presentations to senior management and other professional platforms focused on statistics compilation, research findings and policy implications, and contribute to the development of national and international statistical standards, classifications and frameworks. 
• Maintain a broad learning perspective and identify emerging trends and themes across all economic fields.

Job requirements

To be considered for this position, candidates must be in possession of:

• a Master’s degree in Economics and/or Statistics or an equivalent postgraduate qualification;
• 8 to 10 years’ experience in an economics and/or statistical environment; and
• a PhD or the ability to programme in R and/or Python and related open-source software would be an added advantage.

Additional requirements include:

 knowledge and skill in:

• industry, business and organisational awareness;
• quality assurance;
• continuous improvement;
• continued learning/professional development;
• economic and/or financial market analysis principles, theories, practices,
• methodologies and tools; and
• economic and/or financial market statistics and review;
• a drive for results;
• strategic thinking skills;
• managing complexity and ambiguity;
• leading change;
• planning and organising skills;
• developing and growing others;
• good judgement and decision-making skills;
• resilience;
• impact and influence;
• building and maintaining relationships; and
• conceptual thinking skills.

In line with the SARB’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups. People with disabilities are welcome to apply.

The SARB offers remuneration and benefits commensurate with the level of the position and in line with the market. The level at which the successful applicant will be appointed will depend on his/her competence and experience.

About SARB

 

Primary mandate of the SARB

 

Section 224 of the Constitution of South Africa states the mandate of the SARB as follows:

The primary object of the South African Reserve Bank is to protect the value of the currency in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth in the Republic.

The South African Reserve Bank, in support of its primary objective, must perform its functions independently and without fear, favour or prejudice.

 

WHAT WE DO

 

Monetary Policy

 

The Constitution gives the SARB the mandate to protect the value of the rand. We use interest rates to keep inflation low and steady.

 

Financial Stability

 

The SARB has a mandate to protect and enhance financial stability. We identify and mitigate systemic risks that might disrupt the financial system.

 

Prudential Regulation

 

The Prudential Authority regulates financial institutions and market infrastructures to promote and enhance their safety and soundness, and support financial stability.

 

Financial Markets

 

Open market operations are the main tool we use to implement monetary policy. We manage South Africa’s gold and foreign exchange reserves.

 

Financial Surveillance

 

The SARB is responsible for regulating cross-border transactions, preventing the abuse of the financial system and supporting the regulation of financial institutions.

 

Payments and Settlements

 

The SARB is responsible for ensuring the safety and soundness of the national payment system, which is the backbone of South Africa’s modern financial system.

 

Statistics

 

The SARB provides important economic and financial statistics that present an overview of the economic situation in South Africa.

 

Research

 

Research conducted by the SARB focuses on economics, financial stability, banking and emerging trends in finance. Our research supports policy decision-making.

Banknotes and Coin

 

The SARB has the sole right to make, issue and destroy banknotes and coin in South Africa.