Economics Manager 2 year contract role

ComReg Overview

We are the statutory body responsible for regulating electronic communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. We are a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation, operating in a dynamic telecommunications environment that is constantly evolving.  Our Mission – at the heart of everything we do – is to facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

Strategy and Economics Unit

The role we are seeking to fill is in the Strategy and Economics Unit which is part of the Commissioners’ Office.  The Commissioners’ Office encompasses are number of area; General Counsel, the Director of Strategy and Economics and The Commissioners. The principal areas of responsibility for the Strategy and Economics Unit are:

• Economic Advice and professional leadership of economics.
• Strategy and Research
• Data Management; and
• The coordination of ComReg’s international activities.

Team overview:

As part of a team of five, reporting to a Senior Manager in the Strategy and Economics Unit, this team is involved in a variety of projects with organisational wide impact.

Our team are responsible for

• Providing economic, policy & research advice to the organisation.
• Developing ComReg’s Strategy and the strategic planning process.
• Researching key trends relevant to the market.
• Managing various research projects, including data analysis, market research and desk-based research.

The Job –Economics Manager

Reporting to a Senior Manager in the Strategy and Economics Unit, you will be an exceptional economist, with superb problem-solving skills and an inquisitive mind, who wants to be involved in all areas of the Strategy & Economics Unit’s work. You will work across the following areas:

• Economic Analysis: Assess potential policy options for regulatory intervention to ensure that competition within markets functions effectively and recommending appropriate courses of action to achieve this.
• Market Insights: Tracking key developments across the range of markets in which ComReg has regulatory responsibilities and other key strategic data relevant to achievement of ComReg’s regulatory objectives.
• Research management, including the management of research projects involving the analysis and collation of primary and secondary data for the purposes of informing specific projects within ComReg.
• Management of economic input to wider organisational projects as required, including economic support to other functional areas, primarily by participating in projects and meetings as directed by the Director of Strategy & Economics.
• Administrative duties relating to the work of the Strategy & Economics Unit, including the preparation of Terms of Reference, evaluation of proposals from external economic consultancies, and acting as a point of contact for various external research services.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• A post-graduate master’s degree involving a significant component in regulatory or competition economics or related human sciences subject, e.g., business, finance, or other suitable qualification.
• Relevant post-graduate work experience, including experience in a multidisciplinary environment, using economics-based competition law/industrial organisation principles.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience in applying economic analysis principles and techniques
• Excellent drafting and communication skills, with the ability to draft documentation in a rational, evidence-based, clear and concise manner.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical abilities, including the ability to make reasoned judgements based on available information.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a solid practical background in the application of information and data analysis within a regulatory and/or business environment.

Desirable

• Experience in the electronic communications, broadcasting and technology sectors, or another similarly regulated industry.
• Familiarity with the national/EU legal framework under which ComReg operates.
• Experience working with data, data analytics, BI platforms and data management best practices.
• Excellent presentation skills.

Core Competencies & Skills for the Role

In addition to your technical qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:

• Contextual Understanding Understands the regulatory, legislative, political, industrial, economic, societal and cultural environment within which ComReg operates. Uses this understanding to interact effectively. Considers the wider impact of actions and decisions.
• Analytical & Critical Thinking Objectively analyses and evaluates information in order to identify patterns between situations that are not obviously related. Develops and clearly articulates solutions to complex problems.
• Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement – Possesses a command over the technical and professional skills for a particular discipline. Keeps an open mind. Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.
• Communicating & Influencing Communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. Engages, persuades and convinces others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriately updated and notified.
• Teamwork Promotes and enhances team performance through working collaboratively and in cooperation with others to achieve goals. Interacts in a manner that builds respect and fosters trust.
• Planning and Organising Establishes and monitors priorities, systematically differentiating between urgent, important and unimportant tasks. Plans and manages activities to consistently deliver results. Meets objectives within agreed predetermined time frames and deals with urgent operational situations expeditiously.