SENIOR ECONOMIST

CONTEXT
The Government of Liberia (GoL) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) are embarking on a roughly three-year process to develop a five-year investment and policy program (Compact) to reduce poverty through economic growth. The SENIOR ECONOMIST will help lead these efforts, in close coordination with other members of the Liberia Compact Development Core Team and with the MCC Team in Washington, DC.
SENIOR ECONOMIST
During the development of a compact program, each eligible country must assess its macro- and micro-economic environment to identify binding constraints to economic growth and their associated root causes, select projects that are likely to reduce poverty through economic growth, and identify the specific economic impacts and beneficiaries of each proposed project. The Senior Economist will support these efforts by gathering and assessing evidence on impacts of proposed projects, leading the development of the economic justification for selecting one or more proposed projects, and participating in the beneficiary analysis and economic rate of return calculation for agreed projects. The Senior Economist will also work closely with technical and monitoring and evaluation specialists to develop a results framework, define indicators, document existing baseline data for relevant indicators and project targets, and assess existing data quality CONTEXT
The Government of Liberia (GoL) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) are embarking on a roughly three-year process to develop a five-year investment and policy program (Compact) to reduce poverty through economic growth. The SENIOR ECONOMIST will help lead these efforts, in close coordination with other members of the Liberia Compact Development Core Team and with the MCC Team in Washington, DC.
SENIOR ECONOMIST
During the development of a compact program, each eligible country must assess its macro- and micro-economic environment to identify binding constraints to economic growth and their associated root causes, select projects that are likely to reduce poverty through economic growth, and identify the specific economic impacts and beneficiaries of each proposed project. The Senior Economist will support these efforts by gathering and
assessing evidence on impacts of proposed projects, leading the development of the economic justification for selecting one or more proposed projects, and participating in the beneficiary analysis and economic rate of return calculation for agreed projects. The Senior Economist will also work closely with technical and monitoring and evaluation specialists to develop a results framework, define indicators, document existing baseline data for relevant indicators and project targets, and assess existing data quality

Responsibilities

DESCRIPTION OF MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with MCC Economists and other staff to conduct growth diagnostics to identify the key constraints to economic growth in Liberia (and potentially, to growth of specific sectors), including accessing and working with government/ministry data and other data. Subsequently, work with MCC to carry out root cause analysis (through stakeholder focus groups and interviews) to understand the factors behind the constraints.
• Build an economic justification for any potential projects to address the constraints and their root causes, including a clear explanation of the ways in which projects will
3 increase economic growth and reduce poverty. Provide a rationale for the use of public funds and a clear explanation of the ways in which projects will impact economic growth, poverty, and regional trade.
• Contribute to the development of a detailed project logic (theory of change) for the
proposed projects, working in close collaboration with other members of the MCC and Compact Development Teams.
• Work with MCC Economists to conduct a detailed analysis of the economic impacts of any proposed projects, including assessing the likely economic costs and benefits
associated with each, disaggregated by income level/poverty status, social group, and gender.
• In collaboration with the MCC Economists and other members of the MCC and Core Teams, gather all required data and evidence to develop a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model for each proposed project. Based on the CBA model, articulate a rationale explaining how proposed projects will impact intended beneficiaries. In particular, provide quantitative estimates of how the benefits of proposed projects are likely to be distributed among various beneficiaries, particularly poor households and disadvantaged groups—including women. For all of these tasks, liaise with MCC Economists to ensure that methods and approaches used are consistent with best
available evidence and local context.
• Lead the Compact Development Team in identifying key indicators to measure the
expected outputs and outcomes of proposed projects. Document baselines and targets for the indicators, based on sector-specific evidence, work plans, the CBA model, and anticipated results.
• Review existing data sources, particularly administrative data collected by government entities, for potential monitoring and evaluation indicators to assess availability of data, quality of data, frequency of reporting, and levels of disaggregation. Assess the quality of existing data systems and prepare any necessary proposals for addressing data quality gaps.

COUNTERPART STAFF:
The Senior Economist will work directly with MCC’s Economics Analysis staff.
All applications MUST be submitted via email at to
mcc_recruitment@mfdp.gov.lr