Mineral Economist, EMD/PSEMC

About the Project

Through the Private Sector Engagement Modernization Contract (PSEMC), Dexis supports the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) PSE Hub to expand and deepen collaboration with the private sector to achieve greater development outcomes. The PSE Hub's mission is to create the institutional conditions, operating infrastructure, and capacity necessary to expand engagement with the private sector in the United States and partner countries. The PSE Hub works to transform and modernize how USAID does development by institutionalizing USAID's PSE policy and delivering capacity- and systems-building support for PSE across all sectors, operating units, and countries where USAID operates.

About the Position

The USAID Center for Economics and Market Development (EMD) is the Agency's primary resource for knowledge and technical assistance on economic growth and trade. EMD is also leading USAID's implementation of the Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI), a whole of government effort to foster resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth and prosperity amid the disruptions and pressures of today's global economy, with three major focuses: 1) Improve macroeconomic stability, including increased debt sustainability; 2) Mobilize targeted investment in job-creating and wage-boosting growth; 3) Strengthen productive capacity around and expand development benefits from investment in critical supply chains. As part of the ERI implementation team, core responsibilities will be the day-to-day oversight, coordination, management, tracking, and reporting on ERI activities and processes. This position will coordinate guidance to Missions in one or two of USAIDs regional bureaus such as the Asia and Pacific Islands region via the Asia Bureau as well as the Office of the Chief Economist, the Office of Policy and the Bureau for Planning, Learning, and Resource Management (PLR) and ensure smooth communication between the field and USAID/Washington.

The EMD Economics Team and its implementing partners provides technical assistance and thought leadership in development economics, poverty reduction, and economic growth, and leads analytical and empirical studies for USAID Missions and other operating units. EMD technical analyses, such as feasibility studies and financial sector analysis, are used to evaluate potential investments, design activities, and help leverage financial resources from potential investors.

Successful EMD Economics Team members work collaboratively, seek opportunities, demonstrate persistence, are risk-takers, set goals and see them through, systematically plan, and work with minimal direction and oversight.

This is a telework-eligible position requiring occasional travel (about 15% - 25%) to USAID partner countries.

Responsibilities

Research and Analysis

• Review current research to help guide USAID in the engagement of mining companies, regulators, and civil society organizations.
• Conduct or oversee research and analysis to support leadership and investment decision-making. This includes market analysis, policy research, and feasibility studies.
• Support in the development of financial and economic models to examine the likely impact of mining sector investments on USAID partner countries, including revenue and cost projections, as well as environmental, social, and governance considerations.

Strategic Advice and Planning

• Identify opportunities, risks, best practices, and mitigation tactics that could be deployed by USAID when developing programs and partnerships with the mining sector.
• Provide strategic guidance, approaches and tactics to help design USAID activities supporting the mining sector and the supply chains for related critical materials.
• Support the development of strategies, plans, and approaches in managing EMD and Agency resources.
• Advise EMD and IPI leaders in the formulation of external and internal policies and procedures that align with EMD goals and objectives.

Operations

• Provide advice and assistance related to strategic investments, public policy, or operational projects and/or initiatives to support efficient execution. This involves coordinating resources and tracking progress.
• Support the implementation of organizational changes, including technology adoption, process reengineering, or cultural shifts.

Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, government agencies, and industry groups to further EMD business development goals and objectives.

Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of work experience (e.g. Economics, Finance, Geology, Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Material Science, Systems Engineering, Logistics/Supply Chain or equivalent), or master's degree with 3 or more years of work experience, or 9+ years equivalent relevant work experience in private sector engagement.
• Familiarity with economics and finance as they apply to mining and energy industries.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic guidance to senior-level leaders
• Proficiency in statistical methods, data analysis, and financial or economic modeling.
• Strong project management skills and experience.
• Leadership experience combined with the ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, with a focus on translating technical materials into usable information for non-experts.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and team building skills.
• Experience with resource and budget planning and management.
• Ability to attain and maintain a Secret-level clearance.

Preferred

• Current holder of an active Secret-level security clearance

All applicants are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All employees and consultants are expected to value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.