Addendum_2_Position_Description.pdf

Millennium Challenge Corporation

Position Description

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Subject to IA Action

I certify that this is an accurate statement of the major duties and responsibilities of this job and its organizational relationships and that the job is necessary to carry out the functions of the Millennium Challenge Corporation for which I am responsible. This certification is made with the knowledge that this information is to be used for official purposes and that false and misleading statements may constitute a violation of the regulations of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and may subject the issuer of such false or misleading statements to disciplinary action.

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MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Economist, MC-0110-4a

Position Number:

Introduction:

This position is located in the Department of Policy and Evaluation (DPE), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The mission of the Policy and Evaluation Department is to provide management of MCC’s annual country eligibility process for compact and threshold programs; oversee the development and implementation of MCC Threshold Programs; promote effective policy improvement in MCC’s compact and threshold operations; manage the technical economic analysis and evaluation methods that underpins MCC’s engagement with partner countries, including the development and conduct of rigorous independent evaluations of MCC programs; manage MCC’s learning and results agenda by monitoring trends in global development policy and sharing lessons learned and best practices internally, internationally, and among USG agencies and other donors.

MCC is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to provide assistance that will support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected developing countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizenry. To receive assistance, eligible countries are required to enter into a public agreement (Compact) with the MCC that includes a multi-year plan for achieving shared development objectives and the responsibilities of each country in achieving those objectives, regular benchmarks to measure progress, multi-year financial plan, and a plan to ensure accountability for the use of MCA assistance.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Analyzes the primary constraints to growth and the economics and policy frameworks in the sectors under consideration, and makes recommendations on sector requirements and reforms that will stimulate both public and private investment and optimize impact on productive assets.

Evaluates proposals of eligible countries and analyzes the quality of the economic logic in compact proposals including the potential impact on growth, implicit subsidies, economic return of proposed projects, and quantitative reasoning behind economic development proposals.

Works closely with DCO colleagues during project development and provides input into program design processes to enhance the cost-effectiveness and targeting of investment proposals under consideration.

During implementation, works closely with RCD and sector leads to maintain a current profile of the economics of ongoing projects, including the maintenance of current ERR models, and provides timely analysis of the economic implications of possible changes in project design.

Develops and coordinates economic analysis plans for country compacts. Works closely with M&E colleagues and provides input on intermediate indicators to be used, baseline data collections, and methodologies for performing impact evaluation of the compacts. Analyzes accountability data and keeps abreast on the extent to which compacts raise the economic growth of developing countries.

Recalculates economic rates of return resulting from changes in projects due to unforeseen economic or other conditions.

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Works closely with MCA colleagues and implementers in the field to strengthen their understanding of MCC’s use of economics in priority identification, project appraisal, and independent and rigorous evaluation.

Participates as a member of the Practice Group to share experiences and discuss issues of MCC operational policies and programs.

Identifies external resources and technical specialists that may be called upon as contractors to assist in the economic assessment of projects, and guides or manages those resources, as needed.

Evaluates and interprets economic analysis study findings and prepares reports and recommendations based on those findings for publication. Assumes technical responsibility for the interpretation and application of economic analysis findings and publishes original research on economic development, the determinants of economic growth, and the linkages of growth and investments in particular sectors with poverty reduction.

Provides recommendations in a complex and critical area of economic analysis research with recommendations for action within the area of assignment. Communicates complex findings and associated methodologies to officials and professionals not familiar with the area of research.

Develops articles and speeches to maintain active communication between the agency, the development policy community, and the academic community. Makes presentations about MCC to a variety of stakeholders, both within the US and in developing countries

Oversees maintenance of data for economic indicators affiliated with international assistance programs for developing nations, and maintains currency on research relevant to the indicators.

Oversees the design and maintenance of a monitoring system for ongoing infrastructure projects to document practices, issues and results.

Formulates and carries through research plans that inform and advance the agency’s goals, objectives and programs. Conducts major studies with far-reaching results. As studies progress, modifies approaches to resolve unprecedented problems where no guidelines exist. Evaluates data generated by other studies and serves as an advisor to top-level agency officials concerning the adequacy, accuracy, and contribution to agency programs.

Provides analysis and advice on agency-wide programs or issues of national impact. Applies advanced techniques to interpret and evaluate findings resulting from analysis. Reconciles conflicts between basic policies and program goals. Provides advice and recommendations to top management officials.

Identifies reasons for the nature and /or extent of program-related problems that arise and investigates areas in need of improvements. Recommends options that remedy problematic situations. Writes comprehensive resolution recommendations. Formally presents findings before large and diverse audiences, such as Federal, state, and local government representatives, special interest groups, the community, the media, etc.

Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the Position

Knowledge of the theory, principles, concepts and practices of economics to complete very broad and difficult assignments.

Ability to develop and apply economic techniques and methodologies to develop economic guidelines and to solve problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.

Ability to accomplish probing, innovative analyses that involve complex variables that impact the development, interpretation, or implementation of MCC-wide program policies.

Oral and written skills to develop and present new and revised MCC policies, specifications and standards for MCC-wide economic programs and activities.

Ability to deal tactfully and convincingly with others regarding the coordination and implementation of MCC policies and procedures.

Factor 2 – Supervisory Controls

The supervisor establishes the overall objectives and determines the levels of resources available. The employee and supervisor in consultation, develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The incumbent is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts that arise, interpreting policy on his or her own initiative, and coordinating work as necessary. Recommendations and decisions are generally accepted as technically sound, though final approval is required in some areas. The incumbent advises the supervisor(s) when major unexpected problems or significant controversial issues arise. Work is reviewed for conformance with DPE and MCC policies, requirements, and fulfillment of the assigned objectives within established deadlines.

Factor 3 – Guidelines

Guidelines consist of broad policy statements and basic legislation that require extensive interpretation.

The economist uses judgment and ingenuity in interpreting the intent of legislation and broad program objectives. The incumbent is recognized as a technical authority in a field of economics with responsibility for the development of policies, standards and guidelines for use by other economists in order to meet new programs or legislative mandates.

Factor 4 – Complexity

The work is characterized by intensive efforts in economic program, project, or study planning, coordination, and/or in problem solving or analysis for an area of economics where the economist functions as a designated authority. The economic programs and systems analyzed are broad in scope, complex, and interrelated and often involve addressing economic issues and problems that have been referred by other economists. Decisions regarding what needs to be done are complicated by the extreme diversity of functional program and operations and their related systems.

Factor 5 – Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to study and integrate the findings of a number of economic efforts to define unknown conditions in order to develop criteria and new approaches for use by other economists. The incumbent provides expert advice to other economists on the interpretation of economic regulations and their application to controversial problems. The work affects the work of other expert economists and provides a definitive framework for the application of economic theories, concepts, and techniques.

Factor 6 – Personal Contacts

Personal contacts includ analysts, specialists, and professional staff from within and outside MCC in a moderately unstructured setting. Contacts also include individuals or groups from outside the corporation, including consultants, contractors, vendors, or representatives of professional associations, the media, or public interest groups, in moderately unstructured settings. Contacts also include agency officials who are several managerial levels removed from the employee. Must recognize or learn the role and authority of each party during the course of the meeting.

Factor 7 – Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to influence and persuade employees and managers to accept and implement economic findings, advice, guidance, and recommendations. May encounter resistance as a result of issues such as organizational conflict, competing objectives, or resource problems. Must be skillful in approaching contacts to obtain the desired effect; e.g., gaining compliance with established policies and regulations by persuasion or negotiation.

Factor 8 – Physical Demands

The work is sedentary. Travel maybe required.

Factor 9 – Work Environment

Work is performed in an office setting.

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