Economist - EMEA Macro Consulting - Belfast

Oxford Economics, a leading global economic research and consultancy firm, is hiring one Economist to join our growing Belfast office. The candidate should have 1-3 years’ experience (not counting a placement year), ideally in an economic, analytical, consulting, or research role. The role focuses on applying economic analysis for companies and public sector clients across EMEA, as part of consulting projects that help clients understand economic developments and the implications for their business.

The successful candidate will work across a range of consulting projects, supporting clients with macroeconomic insight, econometric analysis, market forecasts, and risk analysis. The role requires good Excel and analytical skills, as well as good research, writing and presentation skills. Some applied experience and/or an academic background in economic analysis, forecasting, and econometrics is desired but not essential. The ability to design, validate, and interpret economic models for forecasting and scenario analysis is desired. Familiarity with Python and/or R, and practical application of AI, is desirable but not required.

The role offers strong skill development and learning & career progression opportunities, with scope to learn from, and work closely with, experienced economists, econometricians, and data specialists from across Oxford Economics’ wider UK and global network. The successful candidate will have opportunities to take on greater responsibility over time, depending on individual performance and business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the delivery of consulting projects by producing high-quality economic and econometric analysis, forecasts, and supporting materials including reports and presentations, under the supervision and guidance of the designated line manager.
• Support the design, estimation, and interpretation of econometric models for forecasting and scenario analysis.
• Work with macroeconomic and market datasets using Excel-based tools and, where relevant, Python and/or R.
• Present aspects of analytical work in internal and client‑facing meetings, tailored to both non‑technical and technical business audiences.
• Ensure project deliverables are clear, accurate, and appropriately structured for different client audiences.

Client Engagement:

• Contribute to client discussions, presentations, and meetings, helping explain analysis including econometric results, forecasts, and implications for business decision‑making.
• Respond to client questions with clear and timely inputs.

EMEA Macro Consulting:

You’ll work on a range of projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa—supporting economic model building, forecasting, scenario, policy & risk analysis, and macroeconomic analysis and thought leadership for governments, central banks, multilateral organisations, trade bodies, and large corporates.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

• Essential Language & Communication: Ability to communicate economic, econometric, and quantitative information clearly to non‑specialist audiences; ability to produce good‑quality project deliverables with appropriate structure and clarity; strong verbal and written communication skills in English; ability to collaborate with colleagues across different offices and locations.
• Education & Professional Experience: Degree in Economics, Finance, or a related quantitative discipline; at least 1 year (up to 3 years) of professional experience in an economic, analytical, consulting, or research role (excluding placement year); demonstrated experience delivering analytical work, for example data preparation, economic analysis, model development, validation, and interpretation, applied to forecasting or scenario analysis; strong understanding of macroeconomic theory.
• Technical & Operational Skills: High attention to detail and a structured, task‑oriented approach to work; good analytical and quantitative skills, with experience working with macroeconomic and market datasets; good Excel skills for analysis, forecasting, and modelling.
• Desirable: Academic or work experience in econometrics or applied quantitative analysis for forecasting; academic or work experience using Python and/or R, or econometric or machine learning models; experience in a client‑facing role, including responding to client queries and contributing to the development of commercial relationships.

Why Join Us in Belfast?

Oxford Economics is investing in Belfast as a long‑term centre of excellence for economic research and consulting. You’ll be joining a collaborative and fast‑growing team with opportunities to work closely with the EMEA Macro Consulting team’s Director who is based in Belfast, and work on UK & Ireland and international projects from day one, with hybrid flexibility and real career development potential, including opportunities to relocate to Oxford Economics’ other global offices in future.

Benefits:

• Fast career progression.
• On‑the‑job training and access to external training courses.
• Potential of secondment to our global offices.
• Regular team gatherings, team and company socials.
• Volunteering days and full‑company offsites.
• Private healthcare.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave.
• Workplace Nursery Scheme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Hybrid/Flexible Working.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): Oxford Economics is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.