ECONOMIST, REGIONAL EXPERT FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS
Deadline for applications: September 22nd 2024, 00:00 UTC
Expected starting date: October or November 2024
Contract type: One-year, with a possibility for extension. Brussels-based.
Role description
For the research and outreach project “Progressive integration of the Western Balkans into the EU”, Bruegel is looking for a full-time Brussels-based Affiliate Fellow (i.e. limited post-Ph.D. research experience) or Research Fellow (i.e. up to nine years of post-Ph.D. research and policy experience) with a strong macroeconomic background and expertise in the Western Balkans region.
The Fellow will lead the implementation of the project described below, which will involve research on key identified topics and policy areas, convening events and closed-door discussions, and strategic outreach to policymakers, journalists and the wider public.
The overarching aim of the project is to support the development of a coherent policy framework to foster the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU. The project will start by examining the EU’s newly adopted Growth Plan for Western Balkans. It will evaluate the potential of the Plan and identify further key priority policy areas for more integration and potential economic benefits for the Western Balkans. The aspects the project will address include:
- Macroeconomic context
- Labour mobility and demographic trends
- Barriers to trade and investment
- Digital single market
- Energy, climate and environmental policies
- Intra-regional integration and relations
The new Fellow is expected to collaborate with other Bruegel researchers as well as the Communications and Project teams during the implementation of the project.
Required skills and qualifications
- Economist experienced in EU public policy with expertise in the Western Balkans region related to most of the project fields;
- PhD plus 5-10 years of work experience;
- Ability to analyse policy-relevant issues in some of the following areas: comparative economics with a focus on WB region, fiscal and monetary policy, trade, energy and climate policy, labour economics;
- Previous research experience and/or publications with a focus on Western Balkans;
- Good knowledge of the EU, institutional landscape and policy-making processes;
- Good knowledge of the Western Balkans institutional landscape, regional cooperation framework and policy-making processes is an added value;
- Demonstrated ability to comprehensively digest complex information and communicate it in a coherent and policy-oriented manner to relevant stakeholders, i.e. policymakers, experts on specific policy areas, civil society, and business representatives;
- Ability to contribute to Bruegel publications, podcasts and events; High analytical skills and attention to details;
- Capable of delivering accurate and high-quality work within short deadlines;
- Data, programming and empirical skills;
- Strong organisational and planning skills, ability to proactively liaise with both internal teams and external partners in implementing activities of the project;
- Outstanding writing and communications skills;
- Knowledge of English language at a professional level. Knowledge of at least one official language of the Western Balkan countries is an added value – Albanian, Bosnian, Croatian, Macedonian, Serbian..;
- Ready to travel in order to participate in international events and engage with EU institutions and European country authorities.
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted on the EconJobMarket website by September 22nd 2024, 00:00 CET and must contain the following documents:
1. an updated CV,
2. A cover letter (including the candidate’s motivation to work in a European policy think-tank), and
3. a writing sample (a PhD thesis or a job market paper/recently published paper)
Applications with missing documents and/or that do not meet the above-mentioned requirements will NOT be considered.
Because of the high number of applications that we usually receive, we are unfortunately unable to reply to all applicants. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted within a few weeks.
Bruegel is committed to ensure equal opportunities and treatment for all, by ensuring that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness.
Bruegel is a European think tank working in the field of international economics. Established in 2005, Bruegel is independent and non-doctrinal. Its mission is to improve the quality of economic policy with open and fact-based research, analysis and debate. We are committed to impartiality, openness and excellence. Bruegel’s membership includes European Member State governments, international corporations and institutions. For more information about Bruegel, please consult: www.bruegel.org
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter
- Paper (writing example)