Chief Executive Officer   The Development Economist reports to the Chief Executive Officer and plays a core role in providing intellectual leadership on their area of expertise to the rest of the ZADT. The post holder will be responsible for leading ZADT�s research and policy work on Common Good Economics, financial architecture and sustainable and inclusive rural development finance models as part of ZADT�s overall development objectives. They will work closely with other internal departments and external parties, including development partners and other relevant stakeholders, and make use of both research data and existing information to develop evidence-based proposals and be part of joint programming work of the ZADT by influencing and advocating for the adoption of more sustainable and inclusive economic & development practices and policies. Economic Analysis
1. Collects, monitors, synthesises data related to ZADT areas of work or interest and presents analysis from an economic and development perspective;
2. Supports ZADT to develop models for critically assessing impact of its work on inclusive growth in the Zimbabwe Agriculture sector with specific attention to effects on Small holder farmers and producers;
3. Ensures that ZADT projects and intervention designs apply appropriate socio-economic (including gender and inclusion) lens.
Strategy Development
1. Compiles relevant data to ensure that the ZADT strategy formulation is based on sound forecasting (statements about expected future events, based upon evidence, research, and experience);
2. Contributes to strategy development and review from a development and economic perspective;
3. Ensures that ZADT strategic interventions in the Zimbabwe Agriculture sector are informed by sound economic analysis.
Product Development
1. Contributes to ZADT product development and supports the development of financial products that contribute to more inclusive growth (including gender equality) in the Agriculture Sector in Zimbabwe;
2. Supports ZADT product development efforts with clear economic analysis and linking products and interventions with pro-small holder farming growth and revitalisation of specific chains in the sector.
Communication, Engagement & Policy Advocacy
1. Provides policy support across the ZADT on macroeconomic policy and development economics;
2. Participates in relevant networks/initiatives and develops strong working relationships with key ZADT partners and stakeholders, including think-tanks and academics;
3. Takes a leading role in contributing to wider organisational and external thinking and proposals on alternative economic models, rural development finance architecture, sustainable and inclusive development, and supporting the engagement of ZADT partners at appropriate levels.
4. Ensures that ZADT is visible and understood as a net contributor to agriculture policy development in Zimbabwe and specifically financing policies that extend inclusion to greater numbers of small holder farmers / producers;
5. Synthesises and analyses trends, insights and evidence base from effects and impact patterns of ZADT interventions and offer within the sector as ZADT contribution to policy advocacy around agriculture and agric-financing issues.
Capacity Building
1. Actively contribute to and if needed be leads in capacity building of ZADT clients, on-lenders and key partners;
2. Ensures ZADT internal capacity on the economic development and inclusion implications of its strategy, products and targeting.
Knowledge Generation, and Exchange
1. Participates in and contributes to meetings and fora on issues of relevance for the national and sub-national policy debate on agriculture and agribusiness;
2. Acts as focal point for the collection and dissemination of data, information and knowledge related to the work of the ZADT;
3. Responds to ad hoc information requests from internal and external parties, related to the ZADT and its activities;
4. Collaborates in the organization of training workshops, seminars, and meetings as well as the development of related materials and on-line and off-line tools and specialised tool-kits and information kits;
Cross Cutting Issues
1. Works collaboratively with the other members of the ZADT team on cross-cutting projects by providing relevant technical backstopping to such areas as the development of the monitoring and evaluation framework and effective business development models
2. Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the ZADT Fundraising Policy
3. Performs other related duties as required.
 Report review 
Meeting 
Performance appraisal 
   Partner & stakeholder visits, meetings and/or conferences;
 Ad-hoc, Monthly, quarterly and yearly reports;;
 Sheduling of publications & press articles;
 Report(s) preparation and submission;
 Research program;
 Review program for the evaluation of effectiveness of the ZADT model and recommendations
   A Master�s degree in Development Economics
 Bachelor�s Degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics
  10 years  Must have knowledge and experience of working on rural economic development, development finance instruments and with global development financial institutions and partners;
 Must be passionate about bringing partner and stakeholder voices to the forefront of rural finance debates and hopeful about the possibility of supporting and developing alternative and inclusive  financing models to so as to spearhead the development of rural communities and to tackle poverty and inequality and protect the environment in keeping with the objectives of the ZADT;
 Must have excellent analytical skills and understanding of how to form financially relevant policy positions; 
 Must be able to review data, observe patterns, and draw logical conclusions;
 Must have experience of developing strategic advocacy plans and of working with experience of working with NGOs in development work at grassroots and/or headquarters level;
 Must have excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written, at the standard required for professional publication, official documents and official representation;
 Must have the ability to relate research to policy issues and operational issues pertinent to the ZADT;
 Must have proven experience of research and policy development as well as ability to independently undertake empirical analysis;
 Must have understanding of how different advocacy tools and techniques, including media and campaigning, can be used to influence decision makers;
 Must have excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills and proven team leadership skills;
 Must be computer literate and must be familiar with the Microsoft Office Suite of Packages and should be able to effectively use databases;
  Makes decisions within the confines of this job description on execution of his/her responsibilities so as to fulfill the overall purpose of the job;
 Makes decisions on liaison with all important and relevant contacts for this job. Anything that requires the job holder to commit the ZADT is referred to the CEO for a position;
 In close consultation with the CEO, makes a determination on resources required for the job (recruitment, purchases, etc.)
  General Problem-Solving - extracting information, drawing conclusions and making recommendations;
 Communication - presenting findings and explaining complex data;
 Numeracy - handling complex data and applying mathematical and statistical analysis methods;
 Computing - using specialised software;
 Time Management - completing specific tasks within designated time frames;
 Analytical skills - analysing research methods, data, conclusions and recommendations.


Job evaluation subgrade: E