Brief description

The main purpose of this position is to produce high-quality research that supports the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) financial stability mandate and informs macroprudential policymaking.

Detailed description

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following key performance areas:

• Participate in research projects in close collaboration with the relevant SARB sectoral specialists, external academic research fellows as well as other financial institutions and regulators on topics of relevance to domestic financial stability.
• Contribute to the identification of emerging domestic and international issues and topics that may negatively impact on financial stability in South Africa and conduct research on potential macroprudential tools to address such risks. 
• Create and maintain a database of the SARB’s participation in domestic and international financial stability-related forums and synthesise common emerging themes and discussions drawn from such participation.
• Create and maintain a repository of the SARB’s policy positions communicated on financial stability-related matters in different forums to inform the departmental research agenda.
• Present research findings to departmental forums and/or work in partnership with other divisions, departments and organisations to expand and improve the quality and awareness of financial stability issues.
• Support on-the-job training for junior team members and monitor implementation.
• Assist in preparing briefings and presentations on financial stability to the senior management of the SARB, the Financial Stability Committee and statutory committees as well as external stakeholders, the media and other public forums.
• Present the results of research conducted to internal and external stakeholders. 
• Perform ongoing research to benchmark the SARB’s approach to monitoring domestic financial stability and propose refinements to its methodological approach to ensure that the SARB’s framework for monitoring domestic financial stability remains relevant and fit for purpose.
• Draft relevant, high-quality contributions for inclusion in the SARB’s biannual Financial Stability Review (FSR) publication. 
• Assist the Editor of the FSR in planning for, compiling, reviewing and finalising this biannual publication.
• Monitor financial stability-related publications by other central banks and international organisations to benchmark the appropriateness and relevance of the SARB’s FSR.
• Compile responses to questionnaires, surveys and other ad hoc requests from internal stakeholders, international standard-setting bodies and other stakeholders to inform and support the SARB’s policy positions communicated at local and international forums.
• Assist in drafting high-quality briefing and speaking notes for senior management to ensure that the appropriate and consistent policy positions are communicated at relevant domestic and international forums. 
• Build and maintain key stakeholder relationships both within and outside the SARB.
• Perform all duties related to the SARB Financial Stability Committee Secretariat to ensure the effective functioning of the committee

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, candidates must be in possession of:

• an Honours degree (NQF 8) in Accountancy, Economics or Finance, or an equivalent qualification; and
• at least five years of relevant job-related experience.

The following would be an added advantage: 

• registration for a Master’s degree (NQF 9) or PhD studies (NQF 10);
• a track record of published research; and
• the ability to work
• effectively in a small and specialised team;
• in an unstructured environment that requires flexibility and adaptability; and/or
• independently without constant supervision.

Additional requirements include:

• sound knowledge of banking, insurance, securities and the financial system;
• an understanding of financial products, services and markets that impact on financial stability;
• basic knowledge of macroprudential tools;
• an understanding of relevant data management systems;
• excellent analytical skills;
• proven facilitation and presentation skills;
• excellent interpersonal as well as verbal and written communication skills; and
• proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products.