Job Identification: 241002 

Location: Yaounde, Cameroon (Hybrid/Online)

Posting Date: 07/10/2024, 15:32 PM

Apply Before: 15/11/2024, 00:00 AM

Job Schedule: Part time

Organization: Centre for Economic Freedom and Resilience (CEFRES)

Category: Think Tank

Contract Duration: 1 Year (renewable)

Education & Work Experience: Master’s Degree – 5 year(s) experience OR PhD in Economics- 3 year(s) experience

Required Languages: Fluency in English and French is required

Work Start Date : January 2025 

Job Description 

Background

The Centre for Economic Freedom and Resilience (CEFRES) is a prominent think tank in Cameroon dedicated to providing evidence-based insights to strengthen economic resilience and reduce poverty across the country. We believe that economic freedom in Cameroon can lead to sustainable, inclusive development and reduce the country’s vulnerability to various economic shocks.

Our vision is of a Cameroonian and African economy capable of withstanding any crisis that may affect it, underpinned by the ideals of economic freedom. We firmly subscribe to the idea that all citizens should have equal opportunities to realize their full potential in order to strengthen their country’s resilience to various shocks. CEFRES focuses on research, policy advocacy, and educational initiatives to promote sustainable economic growth, improve institutional quality, and enhance societal resilience.

Our work is instrumental in shaping policies that support inclusive growth and economic resilience. To achieve our goals, we at CEFRES are committed to

• Promote ideas and policies that favor individual freedom and free markets.
• Provide high-quality analysis and research on political and economic issues.
• Support policy reforms that promote individual freedom and free markets.
• Provide a platform for leaders and decision-makers to share ideas and experiences.
• Support member think tanks in their work to promote individual freedom and free markets.

 In order to achieve the objectives set for these programs, CEFRES is recruiting three (3) researchers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Researchers will have the following duties and responsibilities

• Investigate economic issues and trends through extensive research. This involves gathering data from various sources, including surveys, databases, and field studies.
• Use statistical software and mathematical models to interpret complex data.
• Create and refine econometric models to forecast economic conditions and trends.
• Present research results in clear and concise reports, charts, and tables.
• Provide insights and recommendations to businesses, governments, and individuals based on research findings.
• Work with colleagues and other researchers to develop new research techniques and share findings.

Functions/ Key results expected

• Review relevant economic news and literature on economic development issues and socio-economic trends, including the participation of women and vulnerable populations.
• Collect and analyze national and local economic data, including gender disaggregated data.
• Analyze macroeconomic performance at the governorate and municipal levels and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative economic sector research
• Develop a comprehensive dashboard of social, macroeconomic and financial indicators and identify economic vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with other colleagues on various projects

Institutional Arrangement

• Researchers will work under the direct supervision of the Director of Research.

Competencies

Core Values

• Integrity
• Commitment
• Creativity
• Professionalism
• Innovation
• Open to Change

Core Competencies:

• Creative problem solving
• Effective communication
• Inclusive collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by example

Functional Competencies

• Ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to clearly explain complex economic concepts and findings to non-specialists, both in writing and orally.
• Evaluating economic problems and solutions, considering both abstract and concrete aspects.
• Conducting thorough research to support economic theories and policy recommendations.
• Strong numerical skills for performing calculations and interpreting data presented in various forms.
• Using information and communications technology to analyze and present data effectively.
• Good knowledge of the private and public sectors in Central African countries.
• Proficiency in applying statistical and mathematical methods to test hypotheses and forecast future trends.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum requirement is a Master’s degree in economics or a related field.
• Desired Fields of Research: Economic Inequality, Labor Economics, Social Mobility, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Regional integration, Economic Freedom, Women Economic Empowerment, Health Economics or a related field.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years (with Master’s degree) or three (3) years (with a PhD) of relevant experience in providing technical and analytical support in the field of economics, sustainable development, development research or other related fields is required.

Required Skills:

• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies, NGO implementing partners, and/or donors.
• Experience of working with or in think tanks
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical/econometrical analysis of data.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Research and policy-level analysis support.
• Usage of computers and office software packages
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Commitment to economic justice and equity.

Desired Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of the economy of the Central African region in general and of Cameroon in particular.
• Experience working with think thanks, government, academia, civil society, or international organizations on economic development topics.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex economic concepts to diverse audiences.
• Proven experience in economic research and analysis, with a focus on development issues.
• Advanced degree in Economics, Development Economics, or a related field.
• Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities and threats to fundraising and develop strategies.
• Familiarity with software tools like R, Stata, Python, SAS, MATLAB, SQL, Tableau, and Excel for data analysis and visualization.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and French is required.

Disclaimer

Non-discrimination

The Centre for Economic Freedom and Resilience has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of power. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and policies. CEFRES is an equal opportunity think tank and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or any other status.

Scam warning

No fees are associated with applying, processing, training, interviews, testing, or any other aspect of the application or hiring process with the Centre for Economic Freedom and Resilience. Kindly ignore any request for payment that you may receive. It should be noted that names, symbols, and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. For this reason, you should proceed with extreme caution when disclosing sensitive information online.

Application

• All interested candidates must submit a cover letter, two letters of recommendation and a detailed resume to the following email address: info@cefres.orgon or before November 15, 2024.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps in the recruitment process.
• All applications must include the following information in the subject line of the email:  Application for Researcher Position_ Your Name.