Trade and Investment Economist

We are searching for an experienced Trade and Investment Economist to work on the Katalis Phase II program in Jakarta, Indonesia. Palladium is in the business of making the world a better place, and we believe that collaborative models and systemic approaches are the way to achieve progress and success. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90-plus countries, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives. Palladium is part of the GISI Consulting Group, a company that unites some of the world’s top project management and engineering consulting firms to innovate and accelerate solutions on a global scale. Program Overview Katalis Phase II (2026–2031) is a partnership between the governments of Australia and Indonesia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia. The program strengthens bilateral economic engagement under the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA‑CEPA) through two mutually reinforcing pillars: Pillar 1: IA‑CEPA institutional architecture policy reform (secretariat and implementation support). Pillar 2: Skills, Businesses Inclusive Growth, including the Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) to test, scale, and commercialise inclusive, climate‑smart business models with Indonesian SMEs and Australian partners. About the Role The Trade and Investment Economist supports IA‑CEPA implementation and evolution by delivering applied economic analysis to strengthen outcomes in bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation under Katalis Phase 2. The role focuses on identifying investment and competitiveness constraints, analysing trade and investment performance, and generating evidence to inform program and implementation priorities that enhance investment flows, sector development, and bilateral value chain integration. Working under the Trade Policy Specialist and in close collaboration with the Trade Policy and Public Sector Engagement (TPPSE) Lead, the Economist provides strategic economic insights to inform IA‑CEPA governance, economic cooperation initiatives, and investment facilitation efforts. The position emphasises economic diagnostics, market intelligence, and outcome-oriented analysis to ensure IA‑CEPA functions as a platform for investment generation and commercially viable bilateral partnerships. Primary Responsibilities Strategic Trade, Investment and Economic Analysis - Conduct macroeconomic and sectoral analysis of bilateral trade, investment flows, and competitiveness trends. - Assess IA‑CEPA utilization and economic impact, including gaps between policy commitments and commercial outcomes. - Analyze linkages between trade, market entry, and investment decisions, identifying constraints to value chain integration and capital flows. - Contribute analytical inputs to inform prioritization and planning processes. Investment Constraints and Market Systems Analysis - Diagnose systemic constraints affecting investment performance and activation, including regulatory uncertainty, administrative frictions, and market risks. - Analyze impacts on project viability, financing, investor behavior, and cross-border investment decisions. - Identify structural issues affecting investment climate, market functioning, and investor confidence. - Generate analytical insights to support improved understanding of investment readiness and constraints. Sector Analysis and Investment Pipeline Support - Identify priority sectors for bilateral economic cooperation and investment (e.g. energy transition, critical minerals, infrastructure, agribusiness, digital). - Assess opportunities for co-investment, industrial collaboration, and value chain integration. - Support development of investment pipelines and opportunity mapping, including analysis of bankability, risk, and regulatory exposure. - Analyze constraints to commercialization, scaling, and project execution. Investor and Market Intelligence - Generate insights from investors, financiers, and industry stakeholders on investment trends, risks, and opportunity gaps. - Analyze constraints affecting project development, financing, and execution, including information asymmetries and market perception issues. - Synthesize private sector insights into analytical outputs and evidence for program use. Investment Systems and Facilitation Analysis - Assess gaps in investment facilitation systems, including coordination challenges, absence of escalation mechanisms, and unclear investor guidance. - Analyze effectiveness of existing processes in converting opportunities into realized investment. - Contribute analytical inputs to improve understanding of investment facilitation effectiveness. Economic Analysis to IA‑CEPA Processes - Provide economic analysis to inform IA‑CEPA governance processes and Committee on Investment discussions. - Contribute analytical inputs to assessments, prioritization, and review processes. - Support identification of key issues affecting investment outcomes and economic cooperation. Monitoring Investment Outcomes and Economic Performance - Track and assess trade and investment outcomes, including FDI flows, sector performance, and pipeline conversion. - Identify gaps between opportunity, investment realization, and economic outcomes. - Generate evidence to support adaptive prioritization and performance improvement. Knowledge Production and Insights - Produce high-quality economic diagnostics, investment analyses, and sector reports. - Synthesize insights from program activities, investor engagement, and sector initiatives into clear analytical outputs. - Contribute to knowledge products that inform economic cooperation and program learning. Collaboration, Compliance, and Program Support - Work closely with Katalis leadership, DFAT, government counterparts, and partners. - Ensure analytical outputs align with IA‑CEPA priorities, RPJMN, and bilateral cooperation objectives. - Ensure compliance with DFAT and Palladium standards (GEDSI, safeguards, integrity standards). - Undertake any other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.