Economist (Economics Issues & Insights Unit)

Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry in Singapore is seeking economists to join the Economist Service. The role focuses on developing an evidence base to support policy formulation across ministries, including energy, finance, manpower, health, and sustainability.

You will conduct economic research, synthesise findings, and lead policy projects with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis and clear communication of insights for public policy impact.

Qualifications

• Degree / Master's / PhD in Economics.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., econometrics) for policy modelling and simulations.
• Strong passion for empirical research and solving complex problems.
• Proficiency with statistical/programming software (e.g., STATA, R, Python).
• Ability to distil, synthesise and explain key insights from research.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive evidence base to support policy formulation in Singapore.
• Synthesise existing research and international experience to inform Singapore context.
• Lead research and policy projects to provide insights on economic issues.

Job description

What the role is:

The Economist Service is the premier service for economists in the Singapore public sector. By developing a core group of professional economists, the objective of the Economist Service is to sharpen economic analysis in the public sector in order to improve public policies.Economists in the Economist Service undertake economic research and analysis in many Ministries and agencies across the public sector. These include the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. Through postings to diverse Ministries and agencies, the economists contribute their expertise to inform a wide range of public policies, from economic policies to fiscal, socio-economic, health, security and infrastructural policies.

What you will be working on:

You will be part of a team of economists whose primary focus is to develop a comprehensive evidence base to support policy formulation in Singapore. Together with your team, you will strive to keep abreast of the latest economic/socio-economic issues in our public discourse, be at the forefront of the latest economic ideas and thinking, and be thought leaders on economic issues within the Singapore public sector. This will be achieved through:(i) Identifying pertinent "hot-button", emerging and/or longer-term economic/socio-economic issues in Singapore by conducting pre-emptive sensemaking;(ii) Synthesising what is currently known about these issues by drawing on existing research studies and the experience of other economies to form an evidence base; and(iii) Leading research and policy projects to provide insights on these issues within the Singapore context if there are gaps in the existing literature.

What we are looking for:

• Degree / Master's / PhD in Economics. While a postgraduate degree will be advantageous, strong candidates with an undergraduate degree will also be considered.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., econometrics) for policy modelling and simulations, as well as impact evaluation studies.
• Strong passion for empirical research and extensive experience in solving complex problems using quantitative approaches.
• Proficiency with statistical/programming software (e.g., STATA, R, Python).
• Ability to distil, synthesise and explain the key insights from existing research studies and economic theory.
• Strong interest and a willingness to develop expertise in a diverse range of issues, including economic structure and growth, sustainability and resilience, labour market, internationalisation and investments, as well as productivity and innovation.
• Excellent communication skills, including an ability to express complex ideas simply and clearly.

About Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry

Working at METI places you at the heart of Singapore's economic policy-making. We drive productivity-led growth, safeguard and expand our economic space, and build a future-ready economy where firms can thrive. Together, we create a Singapore which is a city of possibilities, a home to great firms, and a place where the world connects - with people at its heart.When you join METI, you contribute to our mission of creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans, enabling them to improve their lives and secure a better future.