View Vacancy – TNT – Economic Advisor (HEO)

The British Embassy Tunis invites applications for the position of Economic Advisor, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed term contract for one (1) year (renewable).

We are looking for a highly motivated and knowledgeable individual to provide economic and political economy analysis to colleagues across the whole of the Embassy as well as the wider Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) global network.

We want in-depth economic understanding to be at the heart of our work across the Embassy, especially our political analysis and programmes. As well as sharing their passion and expertise in economics within the Embassy, the jobholder will need to enthusiastically engage with external stakeholders and over time build their network of contacts.

While based in the Political Team, the jobholder will also support the Head of Economic Policy in the Programme Team and work with colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide high quality economic analysis: Analyse the economic situation and proactively share this knowledge so that it becomes an integral part of work across the Embassy. Identify the best ways to deliver regular economic updates within the Embassy and across the wider FCDO network (e.g., conversations, written updates, briefings, etc.). Help colleagues in Tunis and London understand the situation for economic data, issues, and trends, plus what this means for potential impacts on government, society, and the private sector.
• Political and social analysis: Provide a holistic understanding of the interplay between economics and political and societal factors. Understand and share with colleagues how economic developments, both domestic and global, will impact Tunisia. As well as responding to current events, be willing to horizon-scan and plan for future scenarios, drawing on political and economic expertise.
• Communicating economic ideas: Be able to communicate complex ideas and trends in ways that are clear, easy to understand, and accurate. Understand that you need to adapt your communication styles to different audiences. Demonstrate an enthusiasm for discovering new ways to share your insights across the Embassy and wider FCDO network.
• Provide economic expertise to Tunisia Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) programme: Provide economic expertise to inform the design of CSSF projects in Tunisia and help monitor CSSF economic development programmes working with International Financial Institutions.
• Corporate: Promote a positive working environment and play an active role in making the embassy a great place for you and your colleagues.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.

Key technical skills required:

Macroeconomic knowledge

• Understand the impact of fiscal and monetary policy and be able to assess the macroeconomic situation instability, particularly by interpreting imbalances in budgeting, taxation, and debt.
• Diagnose constraints to inclusive growth (including unemployment rates) and assess the political economy of reform.
• Ability to interpret national income accounts data and relevant global sources to determine growth measurement, trends, drivers, and diagnostics

Microeconomic knowledge

• Understand market failures in goods and labour markets to advice on how to promote a more dynamic private sector and job creation, particularly for the burgeoning youth population.
• Be able to draw on relevant inequality/ welfare/ labour statistics to inform analysis
• Core project appraisal and sector/ market analysis skills. Ability to carry out value-for-money analysis and cost-benefit analysis where needed.

Eligibility:

Applicants must already have the right to work and reside in Tunisia.

• Good understanding of the Tunisian economy and experience of political and social analysis.
• Strong problem-solving skills. Exercises sound judgement and interpretative ability, identifying future trends.
• Able to synthesise and effectively communicate complex information.
• Fluent English language skills (written and spoken) and highly proficient in Arabic and French (written and spoken).
• Collaborative approach with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and to take the initiative as well as part of a team to deliver results.
• Strong organisational and time management skills working to deadlines.
• Holds at least a bachelor’s degree in economics or a related subject.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).