Senior Specialist: Economist (International Trade) Jobs

Job Purpose

The purpose of this job is to provide specialist advice on international trade strategies to align with the organization’s strategic objectives.

Education and Experience

• Relevant Honours Degree in Economics or Advanced Diploma in Economics (NQF Level 8), specializing in International Economics and/or Trade, Development Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, Public Administration, etc., with 10-12 years’ experience in a similar economics environment (or Trade and Industry Statistics), of which 3-4 years at specialist level.

Alternative Qualification

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Economics and/or Statistics (NQF 7) and 12-15 years in a Customs and/or Trade and Industry Statistics environment, of which 3-4 years at specialist level.

Minimum Qualification and Experience Required

• Relevant Honours Degree in Economics or Advanced Diploma in Economics (NQF Level 8), specializing in International Economics and/or Trade, Development Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, Public Administration, etc., with 10-12 years’ experience in a similar economics environment (or Trade and Industry Statistics), of which 3-4 years ideally at specialist level. OR Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Economics and/or Statistics (NQF 7) and 12-15 years in a Customs and/or Trade and Industry Statistics environment, of which 3-4 years ideally at specialist level.
• At least 3 years in your current role.
• 3-5 years’ working knowledge of Customs Administration.
• Knowledge of Statistics.
• Knowledge and experience using statistical packages for analyzing datasets (e.g., SAS, SQL, R, Python, Eviews, Stata, etc.).
• Microsoft skills (Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).
• Ability to work in an extremely pressured environment, which may require after-hours work.
• Discretion and respect for confidential information.

Job Outputs

Process

• Identify, analyze, and monitor key international trade developments, macro-economic, micro-economic, and SARS operations factors, and evaluate their impact on international merchandise trade compilation practices, processes, and standards, as well as SARS’ revenue and compliance outcomes.
• Analyze trade developments and patterns, and update research methodology to ensure SARS stays current with regional economic developments.
• Conduct trade analysis on market access and revenue potential for South Africa’s regional economic agreements.
• Act as the key driver for best operating practices in Customs International Trade.
• Define and balance the best ways to achieve business tactical goals through processes, people, and tasks for customs international trade.
• Formulate tactical strategies and delivery plans to manage end-to-end processes for customs international trade.
• Develop and drive practices for post-clearance audits, verifying shipment contents after clearance from branches.
• Build and maintain relationships, communicate effectively, and collaborate with international trade stakeholders.
• Participate in consultations with regional and international multilateral institutions to identify knowledge gaps and determine future needs and trends.
• Recommend changes to optimize processes, systems, practice areas, and procedures, and implement those changes and innovations.
• Translate top-down policies, apply modifications to your practice area, and communicate impacts to relevant stakeholders.
• Optimize goal achievement through tactical strategy development and improvement of practices, processes, and systems across an internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous improvements in multiple practices and systems to deliver objectives and enhance tactical excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, assess their impact, and develop best-fit alternatives and solutions.
• Analyze and recommend improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies, and practices.
• Contribute to the optimal use of organizational resources by advising on effective planning and development of resource plans for your area of specialization.
• Develop multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks to support tactical development and excellence.
• Draw on your technical or professional expertise, knowledge, and experience to recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Influence and communicate across business areas affected by your practice to reduce resistance and ensure adoption of new approaches.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyze, and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies, and inconsistencies for decision-making.

Governance

• Develop and align governance and compliance policies for your practice area to identify and manage risk exposure and liability.

People

• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills gained through formal and informal learning opportunities in your job.
• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice, and thought leadership in your area of expertise.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial controls, cost management, and corporate governance in your area of specialization.

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of practices that build service delivery excellence and encourage exceptional stakeholder service.
• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute to organizational knowledge management.
• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural Competencies

• External Awareness
• Accountability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Building Sustainability
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Conceptual Ability
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Trust
• Respect

Technical Competencies

• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Compliance Inspection
• Legislative and Regulatory Compliance
• Economic Research and Analysis
• Trade Negotiations
• Policy Analysis
• Business Knowledge
• Reporting and Report Writing Skills
• Efficiency Improvement
• Presentation Skills
• Customs Knowledge
• Creative and Innovative Thinking
• Strategy Formulation Skills
• Development of Position Papers
• Business Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency Improvement