Senior Research Analyst at National Empowerment Fund

Job description

Macro-economic research and business insights

• Conduct research on global and domestic macroeconomic developments and trends.
• Develop comprehensive reports on the findings and recommendations.
• Continuously improve the analytical capability of the team to provide insightful and relevant contributions and recommendations to the strategic planning processes at the corporate and operational levels.
• Lead the research agenda for the effective achievement of the mandates as determined by/for the NEF/ dtic and though leadership.
• Exercise effective quality assurance and oversight and ensure consistency and coherence across the broad range of the department’s research and analysis outputs.
• Facilitate the continued development and maintenance of comprehensive macroeconomic databases.
• Provide macro-economic analysis and advise the NEF’s Board of Directors, executive management and other senior management, as well as policymakers.
• Research on major development issues (as identified by the organisation) facing South Africa and Africa and their relation to global economic governance and provide recommendations.
• Provide macro-economics insights to assist in industry research.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. 

Industrial research

• Develop and implement research strategies to support the NEF ’s mandate and strategic objectives.
• Ensure that the department's research and analysis is grounded in practicality, targeting the discovery of emerging trends, local and regional industrial development prospects, along with identifying possible threats.
• Facilitate the continued development and maintenance of comprehensive industrial databases.
• Provide industrial analysis and advise the NEF’s Board of Directors, executive management and other
  senior management, as well as policymakers.
• Research on major development issues (as identified by the organisation) facing South Africa and Africa and their relation to industrial and global economic governance and provide recommendations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work with IFRS 9 specialist to factor in risk assessments of specific sectors. 

Stakeholder relations

• Contribute to the development of presentations and communication materials that will prepare the CEO and NEF leadership for their speaking engagements.
• Prepare talking points to address different topics and continuously incorporate a compelling narrative to position NEF as a preferred partner.
• Represent the NEF in meetings with key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, and development partners.
• Foster a collaborative environment with senior leaders from government and private sectors.
• Contribute towards building a strong positive reputation and credibility across all stakeholder networks and groups.
• Support the CEO and NEF leadership in preparing for conferences and thought leadership engagements by providing strategic insights, market analysis, and relevant industry trends.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 6 years of working experience in investment and economic research experience.
• Experience in navigating stakeholders in the financial sector, with a strong background in development finance and economic analysis.
• Strong sector and industry research experience.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research experience.
• Strong project management experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good technical capability in the use of SQL and MS Excel.
• Good communication skills to be able to effectively communicate.
• Self-starter with the ability to work under pressure.
• A logical approach to problem solving in relation to both technical and business issues.

Qualification Requirements

• Minimum Honours degree in Economics/ Finance/ / Investment Management or equivalent qualification,
• Master’s degree in finance/ investment/ economics (M Comm, MBA, M Arts) or equivalent, is advantageous.