JOB PROFILE

Job Store # 158
Position # 69732
Career Group:
Policy Research & Economics / Job Family:
Economics / Job Stream: / Role:
Professional / Revised Date:
June 2011

Title: Economist Classification: Economist 24

Ministry: Ministry of Children and Family Development

Work Unit: Modelling, Analysis and Information Management Branch

Supervisor title: Manager, Modelling & Analysis Supervisor Position #: 78351

JOB OVERVIEW

Through its modelling and forecasting, analysis, performance measurement, evaluation and project management work the Modelling, Analysis and Information Management Branch provides quality information and advice to ministry decision makers that address the ministry’s policy, program and performance management needs. The work of the branch spans and serves the ministry’s six ministry service delivery areas (early childhood education and child care, child and youth special needs, child and youth mental health, child welfare and protection, adoptions and youth justice) and ministry support areas including quality assurance and finance.

The Economic Analyst: supports projects involving the application of economic and statistical techniques and economic theory; collects, manages and updates the data required for such projects; monitors and analyzes socio-economic trends and variables; monitors ministry caseloads, cost and expenditures; undertakes environmental scans and analyses and monitors child, youth and family policies and programs across jurisdictions. The results of the Economist Analyst’s work helps define the ministry’s strategic and policy direction, informs the ministry’s service planning efforts, identifies opportunities for program and policy responses and directly impacts the goals, objectives and financial commitments of the ministry.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Required:

·  Uses and maintains models and performs economic and statistical analyses to understand and identify the economic, social, program and budgetary impacts of program and policy changes and the effects of socio-economic changes on existing, new or proposed policies and programs.

·  Supports the creation of forecasting models and projections. Undertakes modeling and forecasting work including work on provincial and regional case loads, utilization costs and expenditures. Maintains and refines models on a regular basis, tests models and maintains high quality assurance, advises senior managers on modeling results and produces recommendations for management.

·  Supports the development of program reviews and evaluations.

·  Identifies any intrinsic weaknesses in economic information/data and provides explanations of significant variation.

·  Ensures the accuracy and timeliness of computations, analyses, methodologies and statistics and the appropriate integration of information.

·  Develops and maintains comprehensive information resources to support studies through identification, acquisition and quality control of data.

·  Conducts environmental scans and reviews external research reports, literature and academic journals for trends, issues, and methodologies related to program area; reports on findings; examines the applicability of issues and methodologies to B.C. and adapts research and analysis.

·  Reviews and adapts research and analysis prepared in other jurisdictions. Reviews literature and academic journals to ensure new trends, issues and methodologies are examined regarding their applicability to B.C.

·  Provides guidance, interpretation and recommendations regarding the research, collection, analysis and reporting of information.

·  Conducts planning, research and analysis for the development of research proposals.

·  Participates in multi-disciplinary projects, committees and working groups involving policy, program, finance, research and systems staff. This work may be inter- or intra-ministerial.

·  Develops and designs monitoring and analytical reports, ensuring that economic, financial, technical and management information and its implications is clearly articulated and effectively communicated.

·  Prepares issue papers, briefing notes, estimates, submissions, responses and other documents for review. Prepares oral and written presentations of complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

·  Establishes and maintains working relationships with ministry program, policy and regional staff and professional staff from other jurisdictions and levels of government.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

·  Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or closely related field such as statistics, commerce, mathematics, public administration, business or equivalent with coursework and 2 years practical experience in statistical, economic or data analysis; Or

·  A Master’s (preferred) in Economics or closely related field such as statistics, commerce, mathematics, public administration, business or equivalent with coursework and 6 months practical experience in statistical, economic or data analysis.

Related Experience:

·  Experience conducting economic and statistical analysis such as socio-economic analysis, forecasting, cost benefit analysis, and regression analysis and analyzing complex problems.

·  Experience leading or participating in economic or statistical research projects and drafting/developing complex economic and statistical research documentation.

·  Experience in providing clear, understandable explanations to others.

·  Experience with data collection, manipulation, analysis, and synthesis.

·  Advanced experience in computer applications, including spreadsheets, database management, econometric software and SQL programming.

·  Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, which may include a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, and/or enhanced security screening checks as required by the ministry (Note: It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the specific security screening requirements pertaining to the position).

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

·  Analytical Thinking is the ability to comprehend a situation by breaking it down into its components and identifying key or underlying complex issues. It implies the ability to systematically organize and compare the various aspects of a problem or situation, and determine cause-and-effect relationships ("if...then…") to resolve problems in a sound, decisive manner. Checks to ensure the validity or accuracy of all information.

·  Conceptual Thinking is the ability to identify patterns or connections between situations that are not obviously related, and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations. It includes using creative, conceptual or inductive reasoning or thought processes that are not necessarily categorized by linear thinking.

·  Expertise includes the motivation to expand and use technical knowledge or to distribute work-related knowledge to others.

·  Information Seeking is driven by a desire to know more about things, people or issues. It implies going beyond the questions that are routine or required in the job. It may include "digging" or pressing for exact information; resolution of discrepancies by asking a series of questions; or less-focused environmental "scanning" for potential opportunities or miscellaneous information that may be of future use.

·  Relationship Building is working to build or maintain ethical relationships or networks or contacts with people who are, or may be, potentially helpful in achieving work-related goals and establishing advantages. These people may include customers, clients, counterparts, colleagues, etc.

Career Group:
Policy Research & Economics / Job Family:
Economics / Job Stream: / Role:
Professional / Revised Date:
June 2011