The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is on the hunt for a Research Consultant to join their dynamic team and contribute to the advancement of economic research and policy-making across Africa. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced economist to make a real impact on the continent's development trajectory. But what makes this role so intriguing, and how can it shape the future of African economies? Let's dive in and explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
AERC's Vision and Mission
AERC, established in 1988, has been at the forefront of promoting economic research and graduate training in Africa. Their core mandate is to strengthen local capacity for independent, high-quality economic analysis, which is crucial for effective economic management and sustainable development. With a 10-year strategic plan in place, AERC aims to enhance the impact, sustainability, and relevance of its programs, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving global and regional economic landscape.
The Consultancy Role
The Research Consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the design, implementation, and communication of AERC's research agenda. This position offers a unique blend of technical research, program support, resource mobilization, and policy engagement. The consultant will work closely with the Director of Research, providing high-level technical input and guidance to researchers within the AERC network.
Technical Research and Program Support
In this role, you'll be at the forefront of economic research, providing technical input into the development and quality assurance of research programs. This involves reviewing and strengthening research proposals, working papers, and publications, and guiding researchers to improve the quality and relevance of their work. Identifying emerging economic trends and recommending updates to research priorities will be a key responsibility, ensuring AERC stays at the cutting edge of economic thinking.
Resource Mobilization
Resource mobilization is a critical aspect of this role. You'll lead the development and submission of competitive research grant proposals, building and managing a pipeline of funding opportunities. Preparing technical reports and concept notes for donors and tracking funding trends will be essential tasks. The consultant will also maintain records to improve grant success rates, ensuring AERC's research efforts are well-funded and impactful.
Stakeholder and Donor Relations
Building and maintaining strong relationships with donors and stakeholders is a key responsibility. You'll support stakeholder meetings with universities, policymakers, and partners, ensuring consistent communication and high-quality donor reporting. Contributing to donor engagement strategies and institutional partnerships will be vital to AERC's success, and you'll play a crucial role in coordinating the dissemination of research outputs with communications teams.
Research Project Management
As a Research Consultant, you'll oversee the implementation and completion of research projects, ensuring compliance with deliverables and reporting requirements. Identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies will be a key aspect of this role. You'll also advise on improving policy impact tracking, ensuring AERC's research has a real-world impact on economic decision-making.
Policy Engagement
Policy engagement is a central part of this position. You'll facilitate engagement with policymakers and regional institutions, translating research findings into actionable policy outputs. Representing AERC in high-level forums and conferences will be a significant responsibility, and you'll play a crucial role in monitoring policy developments and identifying opportunities for impact.
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate for this role will have a PhD in Economics or a related field, with a specialization in development, macroeconomics, environmental, or labor economics. At least 10 years of experience in economic research, project management, and policy engagement is essential, along with a proven record of peer-reviewed publications and strong analytical skills. Success in securing research funding and managing grants is a must, and experience in donor relations, monitoring, and evaluation is highly desirable.
Ethical Standards and Working Conditions
AERC places great emphasis on integrity, transparency, and professional ethics. Applicants must declare any potential conflicts of interest and disclose prior engagements that may influence impartiality. Successful candidates will sign a confidentiality and conflict of interest declaration, protecting sensitive and proprietary information. They must also avoid activities that compromise objectivity or credibility and refrain from unauthorized use of AERC data or outputs.
The consultancy is initially offered for a one-year period, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability. Consultants will operate under the supervision of the Director of Research and are expected to actively engage in daily operations. The role offers flexibility, allowing remote work, but reliable internet connectivity and availability during working hours are essential. Travel across Africa may be required when necessary.
Application Process
If you're an experienced economist with a passion for shaping Africa's economic research landscape, this is a role you won't want to miss. Interested applicants must submit their applications online by May 15, 2026. The application package should include a cover letter, a detailed CV, a statement on a significant grant secured, a policy engagement note, and contact details of three referees. All documents must be compiled into a single PDF file.
Conclusion
The African Economic Research Consortium's consultancy role is an exciting opportunity for an experienced economist to make a real impact on Africa's economic development. With a focus on technical research, program support, resource mobilization, and policy engagement, this role offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. If you're ready to take on this exciting challenge, I encourage you to apply and contribute to shaping Africa's economic future.
