The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) is the leading think tank in Zambia, with a distinctly international character. The think tank provides an environment for creative thinking and conducting policy analysis and research, promotes dialogue and advocacy and delivers capacity building and training. Overtime, the Institute has transformed to become a critical reference in the social and economic policy discourse in Zambia.

To support the Executive Director to effectively engage with stakeholders to promote evidence-based policies in a sustainable manner, ZIPAR seeks a dynamic and experienced person to fill the position of Research Fellow I-Macroeconomics.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Senior Research Fellow, the job holder will manage the operations of the Macroeconomics Unit of ZIPAR. She/he will develop and implement study programmes on wide-ranging socio-economic issues, with a focus on macroeconomics and the political economy of development .The job holder will thus be expected to provide quality and timely policy commentaries including peer reviewed publications, extend advisory services, provide capacity building and training to address critical bottlenecks to the uptake of evidence-based policy advice, and contribute to resource mobilisation. Moreover, the Job holder will be expected to use appropriate podia to effectively disseminate evidence-based policy advice.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducting research on macroeconomic developments and monetary policy;
• Coordinating and conducting policy analysis and research and relating the findings to practical policy problems in Zambia and the regional economic communities;
• Undertaking econometric modelling and forecasting;
• Performing economic simulations to establish economy-wide impacts of policy shifts and economic shocks;
• Drafting and editing policy documents, research reports, policy briefings, memoranda, literature reviews and ‘popular’ versions of research findings appropriate for users and beneficiaries;
• Overseeing the organisation of events and seminars including policy briefings, consultative workshops and deliberative forums as required;
• Contributing to the identification and development of flagship projects for ZIPAR;
• Contributing to the formulation and implementation of strategies to further the mission of ZIPAR;
• Developing and managing budgets and work plans in line with ZIPAR strategic plan;
• Participating in the monitoring, evaluation and institutional learning activities including period management and project reporting;
• Undertaking media work where required by for example writing press releases and drafting media articles;
• Publishing the findings of research projects in appropriate outlets including peer review journals;
• Such other appropriate duties as may be allocated by the Executive Director or a Senior Research Fellow;
• Supporting dissemination activities of ZIPAR research outputs;
• Attending ZIPAR research meetings, seminars, workshops and other meetings as necessary;
• Representing ZIPAR at national, regional and international events as requested by the Executive Director;
• Reviewing and proof reading of reports and working papers;
• Participating regularly in professional development opportunities;
• Assisting other researchers with various tasks, including data entry, field research, statistical analysis and presentation preparation;
• Develop and actively manage a network of contacts in the Government, the region, development partners, academia, private sector and civil society;
• Seeking and identifying fundraising and research opportunities that strategically support ZIPAR’s mission and contributing to the development of grant proposals for core financing and technical proposals for consultancies;
• Assisting to maintain customer accounts;
• Supporting development of business opportunities;
• Supporting general fundraising activities for ZIPAR;
• Supervising and mentoring subordinate researchers in the respective Unit; and
• Responding to ad-hoc requests by the Executive Director or Senior Research Fellow, working with requestor to clarify their needs and optimize the utility of research results.

Required Attributes and Competences

•  Excellent grasp of social development and economic theory;
•  Excellent knowledge of the Zambian economy and the contemporary social and economic policy issues requiring remedial actions;
• Proven skills and experience in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, and ability to work with complex datasets;
• Demonstrable ability to conduct economic modelling/simulations;
• Excellent technical writing and analytical skills i.e. ;Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office, statistical packages such as SPSS, Stata, R and internet search engines;
• Proven project management and team leadership skills including the ability to manage multiple projects at one time;
• Keen attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment;
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral in English;
• Demonstrable ability to present research findings in various formats and for different audiences;
• An ability to organize consultative, dissemination and raining events such as seminars, workshops, expos, briefings and validation events;
• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage a team, to work independently and as a member of a team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate confidently and positively with a range of people both internally and externally; and
•  Self-motivated, self-directed, creative, organized, and deeply committed to personal and organizational excellence

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 School Certificate with a minimum of five (5) ‘O’ level credits or its equivalent, including Mathematics and English.
• Master’s degree in Economics/Commerce/Development Finance/Actuarial Science/Economic Statistic.
• An earned PhD in any relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Significant evidence of research conducted with at least five (5) published non-academic reports.
• At least 3 years management work experience.
• At least Six (6) years of work experience as a researcher.