JBJ Foundation (JBJF) is a private foundation based in the United States which seeks to catalyze lasting improvements in the lives of the world’s poorest by helping to improve health, education, and nutrition outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. We work closely with government counterparts to co-design cost-effective interventions with the potential for scale and sustainability. Our work is currently focused in Malawi with additional countries to follow. More information is available at jbj.foundation
Position Description
The Research Economist will be responsible for supporting the foundation’s decision-making process from a development economics perspective. Successful candidates will ideally have a combination of experience in or familiarity with international development (especially health, education, and/or nutrition in low resource settings), economic analysis, and excitement for helping to shape the direction of an emerging foundation.
The Research Economist will work closely with and according to the guidance of JBJF Strategy Managers.
Specific responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Apply economic analysis to support JBJF decision-making by conducting cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses of potential interventions, as well as interpreting and assessing the quality and relevance of existing economic analyses
- Conduct literature reviews and assess relevance/quality of findings to inform investment decisions and/or program design (e.g., monitoring framework)
- Serve as in-house expert on topics including economic analysis, systematic evidence review, impact evaluation, valuation of benefits, and development economics evidence base
- Lead collaborations with external firms who may provide expert advice, conduct economic analyses, and/or conduct monitoring or research activities (e.g., scoping and quality assurance)
- Serve as active thought partner to JBJF team and partners, bringing development economist perspective to work across sectors
Required skills and experience:
- 5-10 years work experience, including:
- Working in international development (especially health, education, and/or nutrition), preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Conducting cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses
- Critical appraisal of research literature
- Strong analytical/ problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial orientation
- Ability to work independently and proactively in the context of a geographically distributed team
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Excellent communications skills, in both verbal and written English
- Relevant Master’s degree (e.g., Development Economics) required