The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) - Junior economist - energy economics

About PCNS

The PCNS pleads for an open, accountable and enterprising "new South" that defines its own narratives and mental maps around the Mediterranean and South Atlantic basins, as part of a forward-looking relationship with the rest of the world. Through its analytical endeavors, the think tank aims to support the development of public policies in Africa and to give the floor to experts from the South. This stance is focused on dialogue and partnership, and aims to cultivate African expertise and excellence needed for the accurate analysis of African and global challenges and the suggestion of appropriate evidence based public policies.

About the field

The Environmental economics field seeks to deepen the policy center’s expertise in climate change issues and mitigation policies, in light of the growing interest in developing countries, Africa and Morocco in particular. The topic holds a cross-cutting dimension, as it endeavors to understand the links between the environment and the overall economic activity. Renewables and Energy and climate transitions, sustainable use of natural resources, Climate-Smart agriculture policies, Green urban planning and cities are key topics to be addressed following the Policy Center for the New South’s perspective on the development path for developing countries, Africa and Morocco in particular. The overarching objective is to raise awareness and offer concrete ideas and evidence to policy makers and to the private sector on means to develop sustainable economic system.

Missions: 

The Research Assistant will work on a variety of PCNS operations and analytical activities including conducting economic analysis related to the environment, energy transition and renewable energy resources. Specific assignments may be decided in dialogue with the Research Department Manager and based on priority needs.

As part of advancing environmental/sustainable development analytical work, the Research Assistant will undertake some of the following:

• Collect, review, and analyze data and information from different sources, including databases, surveys and interviews. 
• Conducting extensive literature reviews on topics related to environmental economics. 
• Contribute to constructing policy dialogue in the thematic areas that could include natural resource management, climate resilience, pollution management, circular economy, and green growth.
• Use quantitative analysis tools such as statistical analysis and modeling.
• Gather, analyze, and provide concise summaries of government research and interpretations.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and regulations that are relevant to the environmental economics program and to the countries/regions analyzed.
• Keep abreast of cutting-edge knowledge in the areas of technical expertise. Extensive knowledge of quantitative analysis and modeling techniques is required.
• Conducting research and strategic intelligence on topics related to the energy transition, renewable energy and the environmental economics.
• As necessary, represent the PCNS at events/seminars with sectoral focus.
• Collect and provide summaries of environmental politics, trends, research, and interpretations.
• Leading research in the themes cited above under the supervision of senior staff.

As part of contributing to the general operation of the PCNS activities, the Research Assistant will undertake some of the following:

• Engage, facilitate and maintain effective communication with staff and external partners regarding research projects that are relevant to the environmental economics program.
• Contribute to other operational activities of the PCNS, in collaboration with other departments.
• Follow a mentoring provided by Senior Economists in the department.