Economist - Socio-Economic Benefits (SEB) Analysis – CREWS Caribbean 2.0 (Multiple Positions)

The consultant will conduct Socio-Economic Benefits (SEB) analyses for national meteorological, hydrological and climate services in Caribbean countries under the CREWS Caribbean 2.0 project. The analyses will assess the economic and societal value of existing services and potential additional benefits of improved services to support national budget allocations and sustainable financing.

Responsibilities

• Review relevant institutional reports, national strategies, investment plans, previous studies, CREWS documentation and available service and socio economic data.
• Map the services provided, their principal users and beneficiaries, and relevant economic and social sectors.
• Prepare an inception report outlining the assessment scope, methodology, workplan, data requirements, stakeholder consultation plan and analytical limitations.
• Identify priority services and sectors for detailed assessment, in consultation with WMO and national partners, taking account of data availability and the assignment timeframe.
• Apply appropriate economic valuation methods, which may include benefit-cost analysis, avoided-loss estimation, sector-specific valuation, benchmarking or value-chain approaches.
• Conduct targeted remote consultations with institutional experts, service users and relevant stakeholders and collect available data and practical examples of service use.
• Assess monetary benefits where reliable data permit and document non monetary benefits, including public safety, preparedness, resilience and social well-being.
• Assess potential incremental benefits of feasible service improvements where a defensible baseline and comparison can be established, considering relevant costs.
• Consider the distribution of benefits among user groups, including gender and vulnerability considerations where supported by available evidence.
• Clearly document data sources, calculations, assumptions, uncertainty and limitations, avoiding double counting and unsupported estimates.
• For Jamaica, prepare distinct findings for MSJ and WRA using a coordinated methodology and assess the complementary benefits of cooperation, information exchange and integrated services.
• Prepare draft reports, present preliminary findings for review and incorporate substantiated feedback from WMO and national stakeholders.
• Provide practical recommendations for service improvement, investment prioritization, resource mobilization and sustainable financing.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Finance, Public Policy or another closely related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in economic analysis, socio-economic assessment, economic valuation, benefit-cost analysis or development economics.
• Demonstrated experience conducting socio-economic benefits studies or economic evaluations of public services or development investments.
• Demonstrated experience applying quantitative and qualitative assessment methods and working with institutional and sectoral economic data.
• Experience establishing assessment baselines and transparently addressing assumptions, uncertainty and data limitations.
• Experience translating analytical findings into practical investment, policy or financing recommendations.
• Experience assessing meteorological, hydrological or climate services, disaster risk reduction or early warning systems would be highly desirable.
• Familiarity with relevant WMO economic valuation guidance, including WMO-No. 1153, would be an asset.
• Experience working with national institutions, government agencies, international organizations or development partners would be desirable.
• Previous professional experience in the Caribbean and/or Small Island Developing States would be an asset.
• Strong analytical, research and economic valuation skills.
• Excellent technical report-writing, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to organize effective remote stakeholder consultations.
• Ability to explain complex economic findings clearly to technical and non technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate effectively with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs within the agreed timeframe.
• Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written).

Skills

• Economic Analysis
• Socio-economic Assessment
• Economic Valuation
• Benefit-Cost Analysis
• Development Economics
• Quantitative Assessment
• Qualitative Assessment
• Institutional Economic Data Analysis
• Sectoral Economic Data Analysis
• Assessment Baseline Establishment
• Uncertainty Analysis
• Data Limitations Management
• Investment Recommendations
• Policy Recommendations
• Financing Recommendation
• Meteorological Services Assessment
• Hydrological Services Assessment
• Climate Services Assessment
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Early Warning Systems
• Technical Report Preparation
• Multi-Stakeholder Consultation
• Multi-disciplinary Coordination

Languages

English