senior economist

Wesgro is the official Tourism, Trade, and Investment Promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. As an innovative organisation, Wesgro is committed to fostering economic development and supporting the growth of our region. Our work spans a diverse range of sectors, and we collaborate with key stakeholders across industries to promote investment, tourism, and trade.

Purpose of the Job:

The Senior Economist role at Wesgro is to provide high-level economic expertise and strategic insights to support the organisation's mandate of promoting trade, investment, and sustainable economic growth across the Western Cape. The Senior Economist will provide advanced economic analysis and modelling, forecast trends, and offer strategic recommendations to guide key decision-making across the Agency.

The role entails extensive interaction with internal and external stakeholders and the successful candidate will be required to present complex economic concepts and related insights in a clear and concise manner. The role requires a strong understanding of economic theory, principles, indicators, macroeconomics, microeconomics and international trade and finance, as well as government policies and regulations.
The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, strategic, demonstrate good communication skills, with a strong report writing ability. The candidate needs to be adaptable, have an ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, be focused under pressure and have the agility to transition seamlessly between projects.

By offering informed economic advice and leading impact assessments, the Senior Economist will help shape the region's economic agenda, attract investment, and ensure that all decisions are data-driven and aligned to the Agency's strategy and long-term growth objectives.

Requirements:

• A Master's degree in Economics, or related field (PhD preferred).
• A minimum of four to five years' experience in economic research and policy development, with a proven track record in a leadership role.
• Experience working in government, consulting, or the private sector with a focus on policy analysis and economic development.
• A strong background in economic research, data analysis, and policy evaluation.
• A strong understanding of global economic trends and national policy frameworks, particularly in trade, investment, and sectoral development.
• A strong background in quantitative and qualitative economic methods, including econometrics, statistical analysis, and forecasting techniques.
• A proven ability to manage economic models and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.
• An ability to conduct in-depth economic research on various industries, markets, and policies to evaluate trends and potential impacts.
• The ability to present complex economic concepts and findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret economic data from various sources.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and briefing papers that summarise findings and provide actionable insights.
• Proficiency with economic modelling software (e.g., STATA, EViews, R, Python) and data analysis tools.
• Strong project management skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• In possession of a valid driver's license.
• Be available to travel.
• Analytical Thinking: the ability to analyse complex economic data, identify trends, and interpret results.
• Economic Policy Expertise: in-depth understanding of economic theory, policy, and practice, particularly in relation to trade, investment, and regional economic development.
• Strategic Thinking: the ability to think long-term and strategically about economic trends, sectoral growth, and development opportunities.
• Communication and Presentation Skills: the ability to create compelling reports, presentations, and briefings for stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and investors.
• Project Management: the ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Stakeholder Engagement: proven ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, businesses, and international partners.
• Leadership and Teamwork: the ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate with colleagues and junior staff, fostering a positive and productive team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: comfortable working with large datasets to derive actionable insights.
• Global Economic Awareness: understanding of global economic trends and how they impact the local and regional economy.
• Problem-Solving and Innovation: the ability to offer solutions to economic problems and challenges that may not have straightforward answers.

Key Responsibilities:

Economic Research and Analysis:

• Conduct in-depth research on various economic sectors, trade, investment trends, and global economic factors impacting the Western Cape.
• Analyse economic data, generate forecasts, and create economic models to assess potential impacts of policy and investment decisions.

Policy Development and Advisory:

• Provide expert advice on regional economic policy, assisting in the formulation of strategies that drive growth, investment, and job creation.
• Contribute to the development of actionable economic strategies in alignment with national and regional priorities.

Economic Impact Assessments:

• Lead and manage the preparation of economic impact studies for key initiatives and projects within the Western Cape.
• Assess the potential economic outcomes of proposed policies, programs, or investments and advise on their feasibility and sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:

• Engage with local, national, and international stakeholders, including government bodies, industry leaders, and business organisations, to foster collaboration and support Wesgro's mission.
• Represent Wesgro at forums, international conferences, and meetings, providing thought leadership on economic development and investment.

Strategic Reporting and Communication:

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise strategic publications, economic reports, presentations, and policy briefs for senior leadership, government officials, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that economic findings and recommendations are effectively communicated to non-technical audiences.

Economic Forecasting and Modelling:

• Develop and maintain econometric models to forecast key regional economic indicators and track performance against strategic goals.
• Monitor global economic developments and analyse their implications for the Western Cape economy, providing timely updates and insights.

Trade and Investment Analysis:

• Analyse trends in trade and investment flows into the Western Cape, providing actionable insights to enhance regional competitiveness.
• Collaborate with investment promotion teams to identify opportunities for investment and market expansion.

Project Leadership and Management:

• Lead and manage economic research projects, ensuring that research objectives are met on time and within scope.
• Work cross-functionally with other teams to integrate economic insights into Wesgro's broader strategic initiatives.

Continuous Learning and Development:

• Stay abreast of the latest economic trends, tools, and methodologies to continuously improve the quality of economic analysis at Wesgro.
• Contribute to the professional development of team members by sharing knowledge and providing mentorship where appropriate.

Influence Regional Economic Development:

• Proactively identify opportunities to promote economic development, policy reform, and investment attraction within the Western Cape.
• Advocate for policies and initiatives that support long-term sustainable economic growth for the region.

How to apply: Email your most recent CV to vacancies@wesgro.co.za.

**Quote the full position title and reference to this advert.

Reference: SE/03/25

**Should you not have received any response from us within 14 days after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.