Macroeconomist - Data Analyst and Policy Advisor

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Macroeconomist – Data Analyst and Policy Advisor
Sector: Customs, Trade and Investment Climate
Position Type: Full-time
Duration/Level of Effort: Long-term
Position Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Eligible for Cambodian citizens or foreigners with the right to live and work in Cambodia.

SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAM
Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) or CAPRED Facility, is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience.  The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain and support the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment that promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE).

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components namely (i) Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, (ii) Investment and Enterprise Development and (iii) Infrastructure Development; and three cross-cutting sectoral areas (1) Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); (2) Climate Resilient initiatives, and (3) the Policy Hub. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does.
 
POSITION BACKGROUND
Data generation, management, analysis, and visualisation are central to CAPRED’s work, including its cutting-edge research, impact monitoring, and support to government and private sector partners. CAPRED is currently supporting the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to strengthen the use of digital technologies and modern data systems to inform and improve economic policymaking. A key initiative in this effort is the design and implementation of a next-generation data platform. This platform will serve as a central hub for collecting, analysing, and disseminating macroeconomic and sectoral data in alignment with Cambodia’s broader digital transformation agenda.

In parallel, CAPRED is closely monitoring global and domestic economic developments to support timely and evidence-based responses. This includes ongoing collaboration with MEF and other government counterparts to assess and respond to shifts in US tariff policy, including flow-on effects on economic uncertainty, global supply chains, and ultimately, the Cambodian economy. CAPRED is tracking these developments, analysing their economic implications, and identifying policy responses.


POSITION SUMMARY
The Macroeconomist will support two main streams of work:

1. Provide technical and analytical support to CAPRED and its partners to enhance and leverage modern data platforms—through advanced big data acquisition and integration, machine learning for forecasting and risk analysis, intelligent workflow and system design, and dynamic data visualisation and communication tools.
2. Act as a key member of CAPRED’s economic monitoring and policy advisory team. The role will focus on tracking global economic developments, particularly the implications of US tariff policy, and associated uncertainty, and identifying their impact on Cambodia. The macroeconomist will provide analysis and policy recommendations to support the government.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Data science task:

• Leverage big and complex datasets—from customs and trade databases to real-time web-scraped sources and high-frequency economic indicators. Build systems to ingest, clean, and integrate data from a variety of structured and unstructured sources at scale.
• Apply machine learning models for forecasting/nowcasting, risk analysis, and economic signal extraction.
• Develop and improve workflows, tools, and systems for efficient data access, automation, and quality control.
• Build and maintain dashboards and visual tools to present data insights clearly and effectively.
• Share techniques and tools with team members to foster innovation, experimentation, and internal capability growth.

Macroeconomic monitoring and policy advisory task:

• Monitor macroeconomic developments related to US trade policy and global uncertainty, for example:
  • Fiscal risks and public finance impacts - assess how global shocks may affect domestic revenue, expenditure pressures, and fiscal space.
  • Financial sector risk diagnostics - track data on credit growth, financial sector liquidity, interest rates, and exchange rate pressures.
• Collaborate with relevant government bodies as part of this monitoring.
• Support the development of policy options to respond to any external economic shock.
• Contribute to policy briefs, presentations, and evidence products to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in preparing responsive macroeconomic strategies.
• Support capacity-building efforts on applied macroeconomic monitoring and policy analysis.
• Help design and maintain a database and interactive dashboard to support real-time monitoring and policy formulation.

COMPLIANCE

• Comply with DFAT, Cowater and CAPRED policies on gender, disability, fraud and anticorruption, child protection, and the environment.
• Maintain high standards of conduct, especially regarding the child abuse or risks to children and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Proactively identify and report risks and manage risks within your level of accountability.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential:

• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, data science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in macroeconomic monitoring and data analysis, statistics, or other relevant work.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and competency with data analysis software (such as R, Python, or Stata) for data cleaning, processing, and analysis.
• Ability to produce clear data summaries, visualisations, and analytical briefs for internal or government use.
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Desirable:

• Detailed experience in monitoring fiscal data or financial data.
• Experience with macroeconomic forecasting or scenario analysis
• Familiarity with macroeconomic data sources in Cambodia.
• Experience with satellite data or geospatial data tools.
• Exposure to dashboard tools (e.g., Power BI or similar).
• Experience with the digitalisation of data systems and improving organisational data practices.
• Experience working with or supporting public institutions, especially in the economic or financial sector.
• Experience providing training and capacity building, especially to government counterparts.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible.
• We invite candidates with approximately 5-15 years of experience to apply. The final position(s) can be shaped to fit the seniority and skill set of the selected candidate(s).
• Remuneration will be based on his/her qualifications, experience, and past performance.
• The position will commence as a 6-12 month consulting contract, with the strong possibility of extension for high performers.
• This position will commence as soon as possible.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send your cover letter and CV with your name and contact details (phone and email) to recruitment@capred.org mentioning the position you are applying for in the subject line “Macroeconomist”. Preferred candidates will subsequently be asked to provide three professional referees and their expected remuneration. 

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible. The application process will close once the position is filled, or if not, on 19th July 2025.
 
Women, persons with a disability and Indigenous Peoples are highly encouraged to apply.
 
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. Persons with disabilities may send a request for reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process to recruitment@capred.org.

Cowater International adheres to the highest standards of protection of children and vulnerable adults in the delivery of programs and services. Cowater is committed to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Cowater International upholds standards of ethical conduct and has zero tolerance against fraud and bribery. Prior to any offer of employment, applicants will be subject to appropriate background checks
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017. 


We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.