Trade Consultant

About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use):

10

The Team:

• The Global Insight (GI) group, within S&P Global s Market Intelligence division, supports clients across all government and private sectors with data and research on macroeconomics, markets, trade, supply chains, geopolitics, and operational risk. GI s services consist of subscriptions to data/ analysis products and consulting. This role is in the consulting team. The team designs and delivers custom analytical solutions for client requirements that are not met by subscription products. These custom solutions typically integrate datasets, deploy specialized models, and/ or develop new approaches to deliver unique insights to support clients in their strategic decisions. Whereas most major consultancies rely on large teams to provide value, our team is fortunate to draw on an unparalleled breadth of data, research, expertise, and models to solve client problems, and support planning and decision-making. These proprietary assets are the result of decades of development and proven value. Our team members are expected to work across a number of functions, from analysis and modeling, solution design, project management, and technical development, including new methodologies and models while coordinating with diverse group of subject matter experts.
• We value collaboration above all else. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and welcoming team that maintains a culture in which colleagues can develop new skills and grow their career. (Many have been part of the team for decades.) Creativity is key: we need to solve our clients problems efficiently within set budgets and to exacting standards. We depend on curiosity: the range of assets available to us means our team routinely discovers new capabilities and is continuously enhancing our solutions for clients, many of which we have worked with for decades. Our team also needs to be flexible: work intensifies as we approach clients deadlines and we often work on several projects at once.

The Impact:

• Our business across the Middle East has expanded rapidly as clients in the region move towards quantitative research-based solutions that clearly add strategic and operational value. We are now engaged in several high-profile, multi-year projects and expect our growth to accelerate.
• We seek new team members to support this exciting business. You will be at the forefront of project delivery, working with senior colleagues to deliver to clients, often to tight and moving deadlines. Increasingly the Middle East is also characterized by countries in transition, moving from an extensive focus on petroleum and related products into more open and diversified economies, more reliant upon trade in merchandise and services. Our clients partner with us for insight and expertise to help shape their global trade relationships, trade and FTA policies and opportunities, macro/microeconomic reform initiatives; to support growth strategies, identify operating risks, and communicate the economic and social impact of these initiatives to their stakeholders. You will gain exposure to a wide range of projects, including those focused on economic transition planning, macro/ microeconomic reform initiatives, and international trade and investment strategies; growth strategies; quantifying political, security, and operational risks; tracing supply chains; scenario planning; and developing early warning signals for risks emerging in a wide range of corporate functions. You will shape data-led narratives on the economic and social impact of new initiatives in a rapidly evolving region.
• You may also manage projects, working with colleagues across time zones and nourishing client relationships. Your clients will be decision-makers in governments, ministries, national authorities, trade associations, and businesses mainly in the energy, chemicals, finance, and manufacturing sectors. While your focus will be the Middle East, you are likely to also support projects for clients in Europe and potentially in Asia and North America.

What s in it for you:

• You will be integral to the growth of our growing Middle East business. You will be exposed to business norms, best practices, and high-profile clients in the region and beyond.
• You will become used to working with senior and experienced colleagues and develop the professionalism that impresses internal and external stakeholders alike. As you gain experience, you are likely to assume increasing responsibility, including project management, client-relationship management, thought leadership and/or partnering with commercial teams to develop new business.
• You will be part of a team and environment that celebrates innovation, encouraging you to bring new ideas and methodological approaches. You will use coding and data skills and a deepening understanding of our capabilities to drive efficiency in our business by, for example, automating routine tasks or suggesting ways to streamline our existing processes. You will also use our internally developed AI to help deliver richly detailed qualitative research.

Responsibilities:

• Support econometric modeling and forecasting, including data gathering, cleaning, and validation. Undertake desk-based research on a range of topics required by our clients. This will typically include policy and regulatory developments, political and security dynamics, and mapping stakeholders around new projects and investment.
• Identify and qualify external data needs and integrate these data into our data and models. Models range from comprehensive macroeconomic simulations to custom benchmarks and indices. Experience with trade models such as gravity analysis preferred
• Lead analysis and reporting of insights and provide technical support tailored to clients needs and expectations.
• Work with senior colleagues to design technical approaches to clients problems and communicate these approaches clearly internally and externally.

What We re Looking For:

• Master's-level education in Economics, Econometrics, Statistics, or related fields. You will be expected to understand all major concepts in macroeconomics, microeconomics, international trade and investment, commerce, and geopolitics.
• A minimum of four years experience working on economic modelling and/or large datasets for delivery of insights to clients.