Lead Economist, MC-110-3b/3a

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

• Leads the cost benefit analysis (CBA) of MCC investments. Conducts research on potential benefit streams and applies economic expertise to ensure industry leading cost benefit analysis.
• Works closely with colleagues across the agency during project development and provides input into program design processes to enhance the cost-effectiveness and targeting of investment proposals under consideration.
• Works closely with country directors and sector leads to maintaining a current profile of the economics of ongoing projects, including the maintenance of current CBA models, and provides timely analysis of the economic implications of possible changes in project design.
• Leads growth diagnostic (constraints analysis) research for MCC programs under development. Ensures all contributors to the analysis are applying up to date and appropriate economic analysis techniques consistent with the latest in academic literature.
• Leads and/or supports sector diagnostic studies (i.e. root cause analysis) for potential areas of MCC investment, applying sector knowledge and economic logic.
• Leads beneficiary analysis that builds on the CBA to identify beneficiaries.
• Contributes to the preparation of and participates in program performance reporting and management reviews.
• Attends and contributes to meetings with country teams, host country stakeholders, US government officials, and other partners in host countries.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance
• Relocation expenses will not be paid
• More than 1 job may be filled if additional vacancies occur within 120 days
• Some domestic and international travel may be required

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factor (Screen out): Experience leading research or studies associated with the cost benefit analysis (CBA) of investments. (If you do not meet this factor, your application will be screened out and you will not receive further consideration).

Selective Placement Factor (Screen out): Experience leading or conducting growth diagnostic (constraints analysis) research in developing countries. (If you do not meet this factor, your application will be screened out and you will not receive further consideration)

To qualify for pay band 3B applicants must also meet the following:

Qualifying experience for Pay Band 3B includes one year of specialized experience (comparable to the Pay Band 4A or GS-13 or equivalent non-federal experience), which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, examples of specialized experience are: conducting research or studies associated with the cost benefit analysis (CBA) of investments; applying economic theory, principles, methods, and techniques used in the conduct of cost benefit analysis in lower and lower-middle income country contexts; leading or conducting growth diagnostic (constraints analysis) research; conduct research for sector diagnostic studies (i.e. root cause analysis) or beneficiary analysis; and communicating orally and in writing to develop comprehensive reports and to present and explain complex economic findings and recommendations. Note: This experience MUST be well documented within your resume or application.

To qualify for pay band 3A applicants must also meet the following:

Qualifying experience for Pay Band 3A includes one year of specialized experience (comparable to the Pay Band 3B or GS-14 or equivalent non-federal experience), which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, examples of specialized experience are: leading research or studies associated with the cost benefit analysis (CBA) of investments; applying economic theory, principles, methods, and techniques used in the conduct of cost benefit analysis in lower and lower-middle income country contexts; leading growth diagnostic (constraints analysis) research; conduct research for sector diagnostic studies (i.e. root cause analysis) or beneficiary analysis; and communicating orally and in writing to develop comprehensive reports and to present and explain complex economic findings and recommendations. Note: This experience MUST be well documented within your resume or application.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit may be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. To receive credit you must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours worked per week.

A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer. It is important that your resume fully reflects all of your directly-related work experience. Salary offers include three key factors:

• The selectee's directly related experience at the same level as the position.
• The selectee's overall experience in a particular area.
• The salaries of employees in similar positions and with similar levels of experience.

MCC also takes the selectee's skill set into account. Applicants should note that salary offers seldom fall near the upper end of the salary range listed in the vacancy announcement. Salary may be set from the minimum to the midpoint of the salary range of the pay band. In some instances, based on a selectee's extensive experience directly related to the position, salary may be set at or above the mid-point up to the maximum salary for that pay band. See information on MCC base pay ranges and salary structure (https://www.mcc.gov/careers/compensation/).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your application and supporting documents will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for the position and to ensure that you have been placed in the appropriate quality category. The HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities related to the position such as:

• Oral Communication
• Technical Competence
• Writing

Based on the information you provided in your application package, you will be placed in one of three quality categories - Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Those applicants who are determined to be best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and may be called for an interview.

If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience your category can and will be adjusted to more reflect your abilities, and you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Applicants must include their own documented examples of the required experience in their resume. Applicants who copy the duties section of this announcement into their resume as their current experience will be disqualified.

The following documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement:

• Resume - Applicants are encouraged to utilize resumes created using information contained in the USAJOBS-formatted Resume Builder (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/).
• Your resume should not exceed two pages in length and meet all requirements listed in the job announcement (https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit). see the USAJOBS resume builder.
• If you are eligible for CTAPICTAP, you must provide proof of eligibility, (a recent Standard Form 50, (SF-50), separation notice) and a copy of your latest performance appraisal including your official rating. (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.PDF)
• If you are displaced Federal employee, you may be entitled to receive special priority consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. See http://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/#transitionTo be considered eligible under ICTAP or CTAP, you must be placed in the "well-qualified" category for this position, as described above.
• Veterans Preference documentation (DD-214 - member 4 copy or other copies that indicate character of discharge or equivalent, SF-15 and VA Letter as appropriate) to validate your claim. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, see: https://www.fedshirevets.gov
• If you are eligible for Special Appointment eligibility (e.g., 30% compensable veteran, individuals with disabilities, former Peace Corps or other noncompetitive eligibility candidates.) requires submission of supporting documentation. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/employ/students/fedhire.asp#authorities, http://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/
• CTAP/ICTAP candidates must provide one of the following documents with their application: A copy of your RIF separation notice or notice of position abolishment; notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or change in duty location; official notice stating you are eligible for discontinued service retirement; agency certification that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable work-related injury or illness; official military notice stating you are eligible for a special disability retirement for Military Reserve or National Guard technicians; or notice from OPM stating your disability retirement annuity has been or will be terminated.
• If you are a current or former political appointee (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or presidential appointee employee), you must submit a copy of a your SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent appointment (position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee, agency, beginning and ending dates of appointment, etc.).
• Unofficial college transcripts - if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify "Unofficial" transcripts are acceptable. If selected for the position, prior to your appointment, an official transcript will be required.

Next steps