Job Specification

Purpose :

- To conduct economic research and analysis and to provide advice to senior management on a range of macroeconomic policy issues impacting the performance of the provincial economy.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Economic Analysis and Research:
- Conducts economic research using statistical and econometric analysis to analyze and monitor economic development in the province to support analysis of economic issues and trends.
- Prepares briefing notes on economic developments in the areas of housing and consumer spending, and produces quarterly reports on the housing market, auto sales, and retail trade.
- Contributes to the estimation and production of the Ontario economic accounts, and identifies and develops related. research issues. Advises on methodology for estimating as required, and on production or modification of tables to better reflect economic trends.
- Develops and maintains analytical models and statistical databases to support economic analysis and the development of forecasts.
- Maintains awareness of macroeconomic trends and developments in the area of specialization, and ensures that management is informed of significant developments.
2. Economic Information and Advice:
- Provides analysis and advice to senior management in the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries on current economic conditions, emerging economic trends and issues.
- Provides information on the economic and revenue outlook, including implications for the provincial fiscal position and other policies and programs, to support provincial borrowing and investment activities, the budget process, and presentations to Cabinet or committees of Cabinet.
- Prepares data summaries and graphic materials to use in briefings, papers, and reports, and assists in management of statistical data using the ministry's database management software.
3. Stakeholder Relations:
- Develops networks within own/other Ministries, other governments (e.g. federal/provincial/municipal), university/academia, and the private sector, to exchange information on the latest economic developments.
- Represents the unit at conferences, as assigned.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
- Macroeconomic theory, public finance and economics as they relate to the system and practices of the National Accounts, and associated issues impacting economic growth, to research, analyze and produce reports on a regular basis on provincial current economic activity, to contribute to the estimation and production of the Ontario economic accounts and to provide analyses and advice to Ministry senior management.
- Quantitative/statistical/econometric analysis, including forecasting techniques and economic modelling, to gather, evaluate, interpret, and analyze relevant economic data for monitoring and analyzing the provincial economic conditions and revenue outlook, with particular reference to the areas of housing and consumer spending.
- Research and economic/statistical analysis skills to interpret data, conduct research, and qualitative/quantitative analysis involving a range of macroeconomic factors, to develop analysis of trends, developments, and impacts.
- Oral and written communications to prepare data summaries, graphics, reports, analyses, and briefing notes.
- Research and statistical modeling software and tools to research and prepare own analyses.
- Computer applications for word processing, spreadsheets, graphics and databases to prepare briefing materials, presentations, correspondence and support research and policy/program development activities and prepare reports.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Consultation and facilitation skills to interact/liaise effectively with counterparts in own/other Ministries to discuss economic outlook and to exchange information.
- Presentation and persuasion skills to provide advice to senior management on factors and issues impacting economic outlook.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem-solving skills to:
- Analyze and evaluate economic performance, using quantitative analysis and modelling, and prepare reports on current economic activity, emerging trends and developments impacting economic activity.
- Identify issues and conduct related research to advise senior management on economic developments.
- Provide advice, interpretation and technical expertise regarding methodology, applicability, and value of research findings for the Ministry.
- Interpret Ontario economic data, and contribute analytical expertise for the estimations of Economic Accounts.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

- Provides information on the economic and revenue outlook, to support provincial borrowing and investment activities, the budget process, and presentations to Cabinet or committees of Cabinet.
- Conducts economic research using statistical and econometric analysis to analyze and monitor economic development in the province to support analysis of economic issues and trends.
Has latitude to: provide advice and recommendations on the economy; assess the relevance of data/information; decide best research techniques, and the factors, scope, data sources and relevance involved in research projects; best method of presenting findings, briefing materials and data/information for senior management.
Decisions are guided by provincial and ministry strategic directions, existing legislative/regulatory and policy framework, best practices and government directives and procedures.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Senior management in own and other Ministries/Central Agencies to provide analyses and advice and to present reports and information.
- Peers in own/other ministries to consult/exchange data/information on issues of mutual interest.
- Corporate officials in the private sector to give/exchange information, collect data, and provide feedback.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Provides advice, analyses, and information on current economic outlook to senior management and other government counterparts.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequently required to respond to requests within short deadlines in response to information requests (e.g. requests from Minister/ Deputy Minster/Cabinet).
- Frequently required to deal with deadlines which are subject to change without notice, and priorities that are not anticipated or contentious.

Mental / Sensory :

Continuous requirements to concentrate when reading materials, analyzing fiscal/economic data, documents and research and when drafting reports, briefing notes, graphics, and related materials.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.