Economist, Africa Region FIC Research at Standard Bank Group

Job Description

• To collect, organise and analyse key primary macroeconomic data on several African countries (primary responsibility for 3 to 5 countries) with the aim of generating medium and long term forecasts for economic growth, exchange rate, inflation, interest rate and other key macroeconomic variables for the respective countries, and utilising such forecasts to derive tradable fixed income and currency trading or hedging strategies.

Responsibilities Include: 

• Act as fund representative to the World Bank, and other relevant institutions in each country.
• Analyse and consolidate macroeconomic data by preparing an up to date, relevant, accurate database of key statistical data on coverage countries.
• Support the Chief Economist at IMF and AfDB investor meetings, presenting updates on policy and economic developments to investors
• Contribute to Africa Sovereign weekly report by analysing hard currency asset prices to come up with trade ideas and keep up to date with credit rating actions to assess how this impacts African Eurobond prices.
• Contribute to the Africa Brief by providing short commentary about pertinent developments warranting notifying clients to ensure they receive valuable information timeously.
• Contribute to the African Financial Markets Handbook by interacting with the Global Markets team in each country to provide the most up to date snapshot of the foreign exchange, rates and equity markets.
• Develop a framework to monitor and assess economic trends affecting exchange rates, growth, and interest rates, with management support.
• Lead in-country management in developing economic forecasts for coverage countries that Standard Bank has a presence in to review recent economic and market developments.
• Plan research road shows and investor trips with the Head of Africa Research and the Global Markets Sales Managers with the aim of meeting policy makers, like central bank governors, Finance Ministers, IMF representatives in each country.
• Present cogent arguments, supporting the forecasts for economic growth, the exchange rate, inflation interest rates, etc.
• Produce flash notes and trade ideas by using macroeconomic data on several African countries to determine if any significant changes should be recommended in terms of trading.

Qualifications

• Type of Qualification: Post Graduate Degree Prefered 
• Field of Study: Business Commerce, Finance or Accounting

Experience Required

• 8-10 years
• Experience in a senior role, primarily involving macroeconomic research and financial market analysis, encompassing marketing fixed income and currency investment ideas to institutional or currency hedging ideas to corporate clients.

Additional Information

Behavioural Competencies:

• Documenting Facts
• Interacting with People
• Interpreting Data
• Providing Insights
• Showing Composure
• Team Working

Technical Competencies:

• Bond Pricing
• Economic Analysis
• Data Management (Trading, Transacting)
• Hedging
• International Market Knowledge
• Investment Analysis
• Economic Research
• Written Communication