(1234) Lead Economic Statistician - ESD en South African Reserve Bank
South African Reserve Bank · Pretoria, Sudáfrica · Onsite
- Senior
- Oficina en Pretoria
Brief description
The main purpose of this position is to oversee and manage the development and implementation of the Integrated Economic Accounts (IEA), Integrated Macroeconomic Analysis Framework and drive the delivery of high-quality integrated macroeconomic analysis for South Africa’s IEA and conduct in-depth research and analysis in this specialized field.
Detailed description
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:
- Lead the development and implementation of integrated macroeconomic statistical analysis frameworks by ensuring full vertical and horizontal institutional sector analysis (households, government, corporations and rest of the world), in line with the analytical premise of the System of National Accounts (SNA) and related international guidelines.
- Drive the statistical and analytical integration of sectoral macroeconomic developments, transforming complex stock and flow statistics into coherent, policy-relevant insights through reconciliation, consistency assessment and interpretive narratives that support monetary policy, financial stability and national accounts and related statistical domain alignment.
- Design and apply advanced econometric, statistical and financial models to support the analysis, forecasting, benchmarking, back-testing and validation of integrated macroeconomic statistics − drawing on methods such as time-series analysis, scenario testing and structural modelling.
- Co-lead the adoption and application of open-source tools for analytical application, specifically Python and R, generating deep analysis and reproducible research and actively contribute to developing and modernising analytical frameworks and workflows with efficient, code-based solutions.
- Drive analytical statistical research and methodological innovation, enhancing the quality, accuracy and international comparability of IEA statistical analysis.
- Provide feedback loops between statistical analysis and methodological frameworks, supporting continuous improvement and the integration of cutting-edge techniques.
- Coordinate with internal and external data stakeholders (e.g. government, national statistical agencies, regulatory bodies, and SARB departments) to improve the granularity, consistency and analytical richness of IEA statistical research, and to ensure that relevant statistical output enable integrated and timely macroeconomic analysis.
- Ensure compliance with analytical frameworks, quality standards and international best practices, including the implementation of internal quality assurance processes, transparent metadata documentation and adherence to the requirements of global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Central Bank (ECB) and United Nations (UN).
- Oversee the production and dissemination of high-quality analytical content, coordinating and leading analytical outputs for the Quarterly Bulletin, research notes, policy documents and thematic publications which are statistically sound, analytically rigorous and well-communicated through appropriate written commentary and visualisation.
- Provide strategic thought leadership in integrated macroeconomic analysis, presenting findings to the Monetary Policy Committee, Financial Stability Committee, SARB executive leadership and external stakeholders, including participation in high-level forums, international workshops and academic conferences.
- Lead or contribute to the development of national analytical standards and classification frameworks, helping establish consistent, interpretable and policy-aligned statistical analysis frameworks for macroeconomic integration across statistical domains and related frameworks.
- Mentor junior team members and build institutional analytical capabilities, providing training and technical guidance in macroeconomic modelling, statistical programming and inferential interpretation, while contributing to performance reviews and professional development.
- Support statistical governance, model documentation and risk management protocols, drawing on best practices in model governance, reproducibility and version control to ensure transparency, auditability and institutional memory in the production and maintenance of macroeconomic statistics
Qualifications
To be considered for this position, candidates must have:
- a Masters (NQF 9) in Economics, Econometrics, Financial Engineering, Statistics or a related equivalent quantitative field;
- strong academic and professional foundation in macroeconomics and quantitative methods;
- 10–12 years’ experience in economic statistics, macroeconomic modelling or financial/economic analysis, including senior-level roles in financial and non-financial institutions and/or government;
- demonstrate expertise in econometric and statistical modelling, including use of time-series forecasting, benchmarking and scenario analysis;
- proficiency in Python and R for statistical computing, analysis and automation of analytical modelling workflows;
- proven experience in leading or contributing to complex analysis and inferential thinking – with specific focus on financial instruments such as equity and debt securities;
- strong record of leading cross-functional teams and managing multi-stakeholder environments, including interaction with senior leadership, regulators and national and international institutions;
- experience in model documentation, governance and validation processes across financial or macroeconomic statistical domains; and
- prior engagement in high-level committees, technical working groups or national and international forums (e.g. South African government, IMF, World Bank, OECD, ECB and UN) is highly desirable.
The following would be an added advantage:
- a Doctorate (D.Com or PhD) in Economics, Econometrics, Financial Engineering, Statistics or a related equivalent quantitative field.;
Preferred attributes include:
- ability to bridge economic theory with statistical application and explain complex analyses to technical and non-technical audiences.
- deep understanding of both financial and non-financial sector interactions within the economy.
- ability to mentor and develop mid-level and junior economic statisticians in a collaborative team setting.
- familiarity with central banking and other national policy frameworks (monetary, fiscal, and financial stability).
Additional requirements include:
- knowledge and skills in industry, business and organisational practices;
- knowledge of statistical validation and quality control;
- continuous improvement knowledge and skill;
- proficiency in economic and financial market analysis, including principles, theories and methodologies;
- economic and/or financial market statistics and review knowledge and skill;
- economic and/or financial markets reporting knowledge and skill;
- drive for results;
- strategic thinking;
- managing complexity and ambiguity;
- leading change;
- planning and organising skills;
- developing and growing others;
- judgement and decision-making skills;
- resilience; and
- conceptual thinking.
About Company
Economic Statistics Department (ESD)
The key function of the ESD is the compiling of economic statistics and conducting analysis and research, through:
· Providing quality-assured macro-economic statistics and analysis to support decision making.
· Strengthening and optimising the ability to acquire and organise quality data and information.
· Extending the statistical measurement and analysis of the economy aligned with international best practice and users' needs.
· Enhancing methodological research, analysis, and publications.
· Modernising and improving statistical compilation processes and frameworks.
Company
About SARB
Primary mandate of the SARB
Section 224 of the Constitution of South Africa states the mandate of the SARB as follows:
The primary object of the South African Reserve Bank is to protect the value of the currency in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth in the Republic.
The South African Reserve Bank, in support of its primary objective, must perform its functions independently and without fear, favour or prejudice.
WHAT WE DO
Monetary Policy
The Constitution gives the SARB the mandate to protect the value of the rand. We use interest rates to keep inflation low and steady.
Financial Stability
The SARB has a mandate to protect and enhance financial stability. We identify and mitigate systemic risks that might disrupt the financial system.
Prudential Regulation
The Prudential Authority regulates financial institutions and market infrastructures to promote and enhance their safety and soundness, and support financial stability.
Financial Markets
Open market operations are the main tool we use to implement monetary policy. We manage South Africa’s gold and foreign exchange reserves.
Financial Surveillance
The SARB is responsible for regulating cross-border transactions, preventing the abuse of the financial system and supporting the regulation of financial institutions.
Payments and Settlements
The SARB is responsible for ensuring the safety and soundness of the national payment system, which is the backbone of South Africa’s modern financial system.
Statistics
The SARB provides important economic and financial statistics that present an overview of the economic situation in South Africa.
Research
Research conducted by the SARB focuses on economics, financial stability, banking and emerging trends in finance. Our research supports policy decision-making.
Banknotes and Coin
The SARB has the sole right to make, issue and destroy banknotes and coin in South Africa.
