Economist (Property; Infrastructure; Development)

JOB PURPOSE

To direct and lead socio-economic modelling and property market research analysis that supports strategic planning to determine how limited resources can be best deployed to maximise the benefit to COJ citizens and provide robust economic planning assumptions. To conduct detailed market research and analytics to support the development of property market valuation reports and global property valuation parameters.

This position will require a lot of Statistical and financial management analysis and decision making.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Socio Economic Modelling - to ensure that the City’s provides prudent and informed financial analysis by:

- Identifying a solid foundation of economic assumptions for the basis of strategy and financial planning
- Understanding and reporting on variance of actual against forecast on a one day/30-day basis
- Conduct research and assessment of property valuation methodologies, best practices, and business processes to identify mass appraisal methods and models that reflect innovation, economic trends, financial and other relevant factors that may impact or influence the property valuation process in

compliance to legislated requirements
- Conduct comprehensive real estate market analytics, establish valuation parameters, methodologies, policies, and procedures to support the development of traceable, transparent assessments and uphold standards
- Socio economic analysis to inform the city’s development targets and strategic goals
- Robust socio-economic modelling to inform allocation of funds to maximise the return on funds applied and balance other development objectives

Prioritising funding towards projects that safeguard City investment in water and electricity distribution while minimising losses
- Ensure City’s tariff policies maintain the principles of affordability, competitiveness, and cost effectiveness
- Issue comprehensive and standard planning assumptions to the city
- Socio-economic opportunity and risk analysis to align with strategic planning cycle and horizon
- Planning for economic and social infrastructure requirements to sustain expected development and provide insights to management
- Socio economic trade-off analysis to optimise return on funding
- Allocation of funding to align with the City’s priorities

Valuation Market Research & Analytics to ensure the City provides valuation market analysis by:

- Conducting and leading research initiatives into ways to improve and enhance existing property valuation systems and data, leveraging open-source technologies and advanced appraisal analytics
- Lead research and document findings and make recommendations with respect to data requirements associated with mass appraisals of real property
- Participate in the development and delivery of corporate engagement strategy
- Participate in the development, documentation and delivery of new valuation standards, policies, and procedures for property types
- Assist with the identification of current and future data and analytics requirements for the valuation of general-purpose business, residential and specialised properties
- Maintain knowledge of and monitor changes in relevant legislation and the regulatory environment
- Implement controls within valuations which minimize potential risks to stakeholders

Socio Economic Modelling for Special Projects to ensure the City provides prudent and informed financial analysis by:

- Conducting data comparison and analytical working using systems or other techniques including aerial photography and computer assisted mass appraisal systems (CAMA) or techniques, taking into account changes in technology to perform modelling as required by a project in accordance with the MPRA
- Perform regression modelling and statistical analysis using systems such as SPSS to analyse large volumes of data to packages in order to achieve project goals
- Lead and perform cost saving systematic valuation and assessment to yield effective outcomes for the projects
- Conduct analysis of standard tables and algorithms to aid modelling projects
- Conduct multiple regression analysis including non-linear regression to provide cause and effect of project variables

Statistical Analysis and Regression Modelling to ensure credible statistical modelling and regression in a prudent system by:

- Developing financial models that assist the City’s departments and entities make more informed financial decision
- Support research initiatives into ways to improve and enhance existing system, e.g., valuation systems and data, leveraging open-source technologies
- Maintain high quality and well documented code following best practices ensuring that quality attributes such as performance, scalability and extensibility are met
- Conduct and interpret sales ratio studies to ensure e.g., value parameters produce value conclusions that meet established internationally recognised standards and municipal service level agreements
- Edit programme co