Research Economist

The Research Economist will conduct economic research on trade, trade policy and trade costs to improve understanding of trade-related developments and support the multilateral trading system. The role involves producing economic and policy research, providing expertise to the Secretariat, contributing to WTO publications, and representing the WTO externally.

Responsibilities

• Produce and/or coordinate economic and policy related research and analysis projects in the substantive areas of the Division's work, including, as required, contributions to the preparation of the World Trade Report and other expert analytical reports.
• Provide economic expertise, upon request, to other parts of the Secretariat, including in the context of dispute settlement.
• Contribute to the Division's expertise in specific trade areas related to current economic developments, particularly through empirical analysis as well as the interpretation of theoretical models of trade in general and of trade agreements in particular.
• Maintain technical knowledge and skills, including drafting skills, and develop his/her policy skills and knowledge of WTO Agreements.
• Undertake technical assistance activities and training on substantive areas of the Division's work.
• Contribute to the design of training activities and the development of training material.
• Coach and mentor more junior staff.
• Contribute to keeping the Division, other parts of the Secretariat or the broader trade policy community abreast of relevant developments in research, including through participating in the organization of seminars, workshops or conferences.
• Represent the WTO in external fora, including the media, and collaborate with other institutions.
• Participate in and contribute to other activities of the Division.

Requirements

• A PhD degree in Economics is required, a specialization in international trade would be an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of international trade theory and empirical research methodologies as well as knowledge of relevant WTO Agreements and the WTO system would be desirable.
• Excellent policy-oriented research record and experience in contributing to and coordinating economic reports.
• Highly developed technical and analytical skills, notably up-to-date knowledge in the field of econometrics, as applied in recent research on international trade and trade policy.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute relevant quantitative outputs to support trade policy analyses.
• Excellent drafting skills (e.g. economic/analytical reports, background papers, working papers, papers to be published in academic journals).
• Excellent presentation skills, including in the context of expert panel and media appearances.
• Understanding of potential political sensitivities when advising senior management.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Proven publications record in peer-reviewed economic journals.
• Proficiency in econometric softwares, such as STATA as well as some experience with using AI tools.
• Minimum five years of relevant experience, which may include experience gained in an academic institution.
• Excellent command of English, both oral and written, is required.
• A good working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an asset.

Skills

• International Trade Theory
• Empirical Research Methodologies
• WTO Knowledge
• Economic Policy Analysis
• Economic Report Coordination
• Econometrics
• Trade Policy Analysis
• Quantitative Analysis
• Economic Report Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Political Sensitivity Awareness
• Peer-reviewed Publications
• STATA
• AI Tools Usage
• Economic Research
• Trade Cost Analysis

Languages

English, French, Spanish