Job Title Economics Research Manager
Project Name Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP)
Job type Contract
Location of Position Brisbane, Australia (other locations considered for the right candidate).
Reporting to Senior Research Manager
Remuneration In line with market rates.
Indicative LOE/Time Frame Until September 2028
Citizenship Must already have the right to live and work in Australia
Language Requirements English (Fluent)

Application Deadline December 1, 2024
Applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and the job ad may be closed prior to the listed closing date.

Application Instructions:

1. A cover letter is mandatory to be considered. Cover letters should effectively align your skills and experiences with the specific job responsibilities outlined in the position’s description, demonstrating your aptitude and enthusiasm for the role, your daily fee and current availability.
2. Click the “Apply now” link to upload your cover letter and CV (Curriculum Vitae).
3. Only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Alinea is an international development consultancy providing technical and management expertise that helps people improve their lives. We work with governments, investors, companies, and communities to create lasting change. Over 38 years, Alinea has successfully delivered more than 1000 projects worldwide. alineainternational.com

Alinea International does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment and hiring process. All offers of employment or job opportunities with Alinea International that include any form of a request for payment of fees or collect information on bank accounts are fraudulent. Any requests for such payment or information should be refused and reported to your local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action and to Alinea International.

At Alinea International we value diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility and belonging in everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer opposed to all forms of discrimination. We actively seek and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds recognizing that an inclusive workforce enriches our organization and achieves smarter, more innovative results.

Alinea is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of our work, all candidates will be subject to due diligence checks and extensive background checks where appropriate.

Project Description:
Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP)

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor-Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) builds on the successes of the Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) program, with a renewed focus on the provision of tailored support to worker sending countries to address their specific needs and priorities. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), with Alinea International engaged to deliver the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning component.

PLMSP’s role is to provide DFAT and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximise the benefits for the workers and national economies while minimising risks from labour mobility participation. PLMSP’s primary functions include capacity building for PALM scheme labour sending units; skills development and training for PALM workers;
support for returning PALM workers and their families; information system management; monitoring, evaluation, research and learning; and communications.

About the work
Purpose of Position
The Economics Research Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of PLMSP’s economic research program.

The Role
Primary Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Economics Research Manager can be broadly described as follows:

• Develop, undertake and/or manage a range of strategic and responsive economic activities, including international macroeconomic analyses, labour market analyses and large-scale studies involving multiple stakeholders.
• Ensure that all economic activities contribute towards the outcomes of PLMSP.
• Ensure activities are on track and on budget according to the annual plan and overarching PLMSP Research Framework.
• Engage with DFAT and Pacific and Timor-Leste government counterparts to identify research needs and priorities, and to co-design, deliver and report on economic activities.
• Facilitate the uptake of economic analyses/economic research results with relevant counterparts,
• Develop a range of persuasive reports / dashboards / analyses that communicates key findings and informs policy and operations.
• Supervise the Economics Research and Analytics Research Coordinator, coordinate inputs from the Senior Economist and manage contracted research teams (when required).
• Provide quality assurance of PLMSP’s economic research – including all modelling, ensuring it meets DFAT and sector standards.
• Provide quantitative support and advice to broader monitoring, evaluation, research and learning activities.
• Lead on collaborative partnerships and networks with relevant organisations and consultants undertaking economic research on labour mobility.
• Ensure that cross-cutting priorities, particularly in relation to GEDSI, are mainstreamed in all activities and outputs.
• Understand how innovation and technology shape the way we work and introduce new ways of working through AI, data and technology.

Relationships, Communication & Development:

• Develop and maintain client and stakeholder relationships across your assignments and maintain professional, respectful and effective relationships with your colleagues.
• Train, mentor and coach more junior colleagues, supporting them to work through ambiguity and ensuring messages from leadership are supported and clearly cascaded.
• Self-evaluate quality of work, thrive on continuous improvement, encourage and value feedback from others and develop skills in providing balanced feedback to others.
• Encourage a respectful work environment through applying effective conflict resolution techniques and unbiased motivational support in order to settle differences in a positive and constructive manner.

Other

• Other tasks as reasonably requested by the Senior Research Manager.
• Travel locally and internationally, as required.
• Advocate for Australian development priorities.
• Foster equality, diversity and inclusion, drawing on capabilities from within the country/region wherever possible.
• Comply with, and advocate for, DFAT’s policies in all aspects of implementation, including gender, disability, fraud and anti-corruption, PSEAH, child protection and environmental and social safeguards. This includes incorporating policy principles into planning and everyday work, promoting process improvements, and reporting concerns to your Line Manager
• Operate with high levels of integrity, consistent with the intent of DFAT’s Ethics, Integrity and Professional Standards Policy Manual.

Required Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification in Economics (or relevant quantitative/statistical discipline). At least 10 years practicing economics in the international development context and/or on labour market systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs of work (i.e. managing large scale studies involving multiple stakeholders)
• Excellent multi-stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to communicate and work with different stakeholders, including government counterparts and multilateral stakeholders.
• Experience with statistical analysis software and economic modelling tools.
• High level skills in identifying and synthesising key strategic and operational issues through a participatory process.
• Excellent report writing skills, including the ability to convert complex data/information into understandable outputs for non-technical audiences.

Due to the evolving nature of our program, it is possible that the incumbent may be expected to undertake duties that fall outside the remit of their original Terms of Reference as reasonably required to ensure the ongoing success of the program.
Where this is required, the following will occur:

• The adviser has the skills and experience to fulfill the duties.
• This arrangement will be short term in nature.