Federal Position Descriptions
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Chief Economist

Chief Economist, Department of State
Responsibility
Management Scope

The Office of the Chief Economist had a budget of $300,000 in fiscal 2023.2

Primary Responsibilities
  • Leads the Office of the Chief Economist, working to strengthen the department’s ability to conduct economic analysis on high-priority issues and to advance U.S. interests on foreign policy issues which have an economic dimension.
  • Leads efforts to build economic capacity and understanding within the Foreign Service Institute and deepen the department’s economic expertise and analytic capacity.
  • Connects the department to domestic and international stakeholders in the community of professional economists.
  • Guides the department’s outreach and engagement with prominent economists and other industry professionals to generate data-based insights that inform decision-makers on core issues.3 4
Strategic Goals and Priorities
Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.
Requirements
  • Advanced education in economics or closely related field.
  • Professional background in economic public policy, particularly with an international focus preferred.
  • Senior leadership experience is a plus.
Competencies
  • Demonstrated skills in policy analysis and research.
  • Strong problem solving and communication skills with both general practitioners and policy experts.
  • Ability to collaborate internally with various areas of the State Department.
  • Public speaking skills are a plus.
Past Appointments
  • Chad P. Bown (2024 to present): Senior fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; lead economist, The World Bank; senior economist, Council of Economic Advisors.5
  • Emily Blanchard (2022 to 2023): Assistant professor of economics, Dartmouth College; assistant professor of economics, University of Virginia.6
  • Sharon Brown-Hruska (2019 to 2021): Managing director, National Economic Research Associates; visiting professor of finance, Tulane University; commissioner, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.7
AGENCY

Department of State

Mission: The Office of the Chief Economist has a three-part mission: providing strategic advice, building economic capacity and conducting outreach. OCE offers expert analysis on economic trends and high-priority issues to senior department leaders, supports economic capacity building within the department by training foreign service officers, and enhances economic outreach through public engagements, reports and collaboration with students.

COMPENSATION

$131,240 to $181,5001

REPORTS TO

Undersecretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment

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Footnote
  1. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-PLUMBOOK-2020/pdf/GPO-PLUMBOOK-2020.pdf
  2. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/508-compliant-FY-2024-CBJ_FINAL_4.26.2023.pdf, p. 50
  3. https://www.state.gov/welcoming-dr-emily-j-blanchard-as-chief-economist/
  4. https://www.state.gov/about-us-office-of-the-chief-economist/
  5. Leadership Directories.
  6. Leadership Directories.
  7. Leadership Directories.
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