Economist/Statistician

Job Purpose

The incumbent is accountable to the Manager, Anti-Corruption Policy and Strategic Engagement for the efficient and effective gathering, analyses and review of empirical information with regard to the costs, losses and quantifiable implications of corruption within the public and private sectors. The Economist/Statistician will have primary responsibility for determining the extent of financial losses and such other losses to public bodies, private individuals and organisations as a result of acts of corruption and to use the same to provide strategic guidance and inform policy decisions. 

The Economist/Statistician will also be responsible for positing recommendations for remedial action to mitigate costs and counter the extent of exposure within the respective business sectors. 

Major Responsibilities

• Prepares Quarterly Reports and Annual Corruption Cost Reports detailing the economic, financial and social costs of corruption, via sector and/or such other business categories impacted by identified losses. 
• Contributes to the necessary Statistical Information for the preparation and publication of the Annual Reports, magazines, brochures, handbooks, guides and other promotional publications. 
• Develops and initiates innovative statistical techniques, issues and protocols for the Commission, which will assist in discharging the strategic objectives of the Commission; 
• Develops easy-to-analyze sampling techniques and processes in relation to anti-corruption research and other relevant research projects, aligning same to international best practices and methods. 
• Reviews requests and prepare, in consultation with the Manager, Anti-Corruption Policy and Strategic Engagement, the annual research schedule. 
• Researches and aligns statistical and economic research and reports with international best practices and benchmarking standards as developed by international bodies such as the WorldBank, UNODC, IMF or any other authority dedicated to anti-corruption research and economic impact assessment. 
• Undertakes primary and secondary research based on the approved research schedule as well as unscheduled requests. 
• Maintains the proper records and management of working papers, literature and reports, safeguarding confidentiality of subject matter, as required/necessary.
• Liaises with entities such as the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and any other local agency or body from whom empirical data can be obtained with regard to quantifying the economic cost of corruption. 
• Prepares and disseminate research information. 
• Applies methodologies such as Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CE analysis), Cost Utility Analysis (CU analysis), Cost Benefit Analysis, Social Return on Investment (SROI), Rank correlation of cost vs impact and Basic Efficiency Resource Analysis (BER analysis) in order to provide advice to the Commission on issues regarding the development and implementation of government projects and contracts. 
• Provides advice on statistical research matters as requested. 

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Research & Statistics or equivalent qualification. 
• Specialized training in the use of statistical-specific software. 
• Minimum of three (4) years’ experience in a similar position, preferably in a Public Sector Organisation. 

Other Desirable Qualifications & Experience that would be an asset 

• Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment. 
• Econometrics and Cost Modelling. 
• Working knowledge of anti-corruption initiatives and corruption impact assessments. 
• Familiarity with Financial Crimes, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations and similar international benchmarking standards. 
• Familiarity with the work of the local Asset Recovery Agency/Financial Investigations Unit/Financial Investigations Division. 

Desired Skills & Competencies

• Reasoning Power - ability to make on-the-spot assessment of situations. 
• Human Relations - interacting/servicing internal and external customers. Good communication skills 
• Shares the Commission’s values, mission and vision. 
• Knowledge of broad analytical techniques, such as statistics, econometrics, as well as mathematical and operations research tools. In particular, the ability to analyse and draw coherent and reasonable inferences from the analyses of financial and economic data. 
• Knowledge of computer software necessary for analysing large volumes of statistical data (e.g. SPSS, STATA, MICROFIT, PcGive, Tableau, or similar analytical tools). 
• Demonstrated experience in development impact analysis. 
• Consistently displays integrity, trustworthiness and sound judgement. 
• Ability to inspire confidence of others, command respect of other and to respect the dignity of others. 
• Expertise in the application of Research Methodologies (quantitative and qualitative). 

Specific Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Integrity Commission Act and any other such Acts or Legislation governing the operation of the Integrity Commission. 
• Working knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Working Conditions

• Typical office environment, with Travel required. 
• Willingness to work beyond normal working hours as the situation may demand.
• Occasional exposure to hostile environment 

GENERAL

Appointments will normally be on the basis of a Three-year Contract in the first instance, which is renewable based upon performance. A Gratuity of 25% of Basic Salary is payable upon the satisfactory completion of the contract period. 

STATUTORY DECLARATION OF ASSETS

Please be advised that, where applicable, only persons who have submitted Statutory Declarations of Assets, Liabilities and Income, as required, to the Integrity Commission and the former Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, can be considered for employment to the Integrity Commission. 

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. We regret that only Applicants who are shortlisted will be contacted.

Please be advised that the successful candidate will be subjected to background checks.