International Consultant - Economic Modeling - MFGPD

Organizational Context

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) seeks to strengthen analytical and institutional capacity in African member states for evidence-based health financing policies. This role supports the development of integrated macroeconomic modelling frameworks, socio-economic databases, and policy simulation tools to enhance informed decision-making and sustainable development outcomes.

Job Purpose

This role is crucial for transforming health financing in Africa by unlocking fiscal space and fostering innovative approaches. It aims to support African countries in addressing health financing gaps and integrating these considerations into broader macroeconomic and development planning. The purpose is to strengthen analytical and institutional capacities for sustainable, evidence-based health financing strategies. By developing integrated macroeconomic and economy-wide analytical frameworks, including Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) with health sector modules, the role will enhance the understanding of health sector linkages to economic productivity, human capital, fiscal sustainability, and long-term growth. Ultimately, it will improve data quality, strengthen modelling, and generate policy analysis to inform decision-making for resilient health systems and economic development.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain socio-economic databases, including quantitative and qualitative data for analysis. Refine and maintain the organization's macroeconomic modelling suite, calibrating economy-wide models (e.g., CGE, IAM, DSGE) for forecasting and policy analysis. Update, harmonize, and construct Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) with a focus on the health sector. Interpret modelling outputs to assess trends, policy impacts, and structural dynamics, proposing analytical insights and policy implications. Draft analytical inputs for reports and policy briefs. Identify, review, and analyze economic policy proposals and relevant literature. Contribute to the development and operationalization of modelling software platforms and data processing tools using languages like Python or R. Design and deliver training workshops on macroeconomic modelling, SAM development, and data analysis. Prepare documentation and version control records for models and code. Perform administrative and coordination tasks, and produce data visualizations to support planning and decision-making.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in economic research, analysis, macroeconomic policy formulation, or applying economic principles in development programs is required. Three years of hands-on experience in quantitative economic modeling and statistical programming using open-source platforms (Python, Julia, R) and object-oriented languages (C++, Java) is mandatory. Experience with macroeconomic models (IAM, DSGE, CGE) and using model-based approaches for forecasting and policy analysis is required.

Skills

Quantitative economic modeling, statistical programming (Python, Julia, R), object-oriented programming (C++, Java), macroeconomic model development and application (IAM, DSGE, CGE), forecasting, scenario simulation, policy analysis, Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) construction and harmonization, data management, data visualization, software development, technical cooperation, capacity building.

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