COMPANY OVERVIEW

CEDA – the Committee for Economic Development of Australia – is an independent, not-for-profit member-based think tank that works to champion ideas, research and policy reform. We do this by identifying policy issues that matter for Australia’s future and pursuing solutions to positively shape economic and social development in Australia.

CEDA's membership spans every state and territory and includes Australia's leading businesses, community organisations, government departments and academic institutions. The organisation was founded in 1960 by leading economist Sir Douglas Copland, and his legacy of applying economic analysis to practical problems to aid the development of Australia continues as we celebrate 60 years of influence, reform and impact across the nation.

CEDA is a national organisation with offices in every state. We offer flexible working conditions, a strong commitment to training and development and an additional week of leave at year end.

We are creating new policy and research roles across key states to ensure we are capturing economic and policy insights and trends from across the country and our members, to feed into a ramped-up program of work at this important time of policy debate and development in Australia.

POSITION OVERVIEW

CEDA is seeking an experienced economist in Western Australia to join its national Research & Policy team.

The Senior Economist will assist CEDA’s Chief Economist in undertaking research projects and delivering public research reports as part of CEDA’s research and policy agenda. They will play an important role in capturing West Australian economic and policy insights and incorporating those in CEDA’s national policy and research agenda, while at the same time advocating and presenting on CEDA’s national policy and research work at CEDA events and external forums in Western Australia.

CEDA’s priorities for Australia’s future economic development are outlined in Connecting People with Progress. CEDA’s approach to pursuing its policy priorities is in line with its organisational values –

• We are open, honest and trusted
• We are curious about ideas and opportunities
• We succeed together
• We are brave in our approach and ambitions
• We are passionate about working with our members for the greater good

The Senior Economist will report to the Chief Economist and work closely and cooperatively with CEDA’s Communications team, Member Advisory Committees, the State Advisory Council, CEDA’s Council on Economic Policy, and the Research and Policy Committee of the CEDA Board.

The Senior Economist will be responsible for:

• Assisting the Chief Economist to manage and deliver research projects within tight timeframes, including scoping policy issues, identifying and engaging key stakeholders and commissioning research contributions and papers.
• Conducting research and analysis of complex policy and economics issues affecting Australia, including formulating practical evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Presenting on CEDA’s research and policy work at State Advisory Council meetings, CEDA events and external forums in the state.
• Capturing and contributing state-specific insights and perspectives as relevant to CEDA’s research
• Communicating findings in written form and verbally in an insightful and accessible manner, while tailoring the findings to particular audiences.
• Representing CEDA in public forums and economic policy discussions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Professional attributes

• Tertiary qualifications in economics or related discipline;
• Proven analytical and problem-solving ability, including devising practical policy recommendations;
• Confidence in working with data;
• Broad understanding of government and policy processes;
• Demonstrated project management capability with high levels of accuracy and efficiency;
• High levels of written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate complex issues using accessible language;
• Ability to grasp new concepts quickly;
• Experience and commitment to working with a multifunctional, multidisciplinary national collegiate;
• Experience in engaging and liaising with high-level stakeholders;
• Ability to work autonomously and to tight deadlines; and
• Five years of experience in a rigorous policy or economics role.

Personal attributes

• Ability to achieve results within time constraints and conflicting priorities;
• Ability to work methodically and with attention to detail;
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in a team environment; and
• Strong communication skills and the ability to liaise with all levels of management.