Economist II

Overview

To assist in the production of high-quality economic research and reports, data collection for use in the group’s country risk framework, economic data analysis, and presenting to internal stakeholders on the group’s view of key country risk trends and developments.

The Economic Research and Analysis Group (Country Risk Group) researches and analyzes the political, economic, and insurance industry environments of approximately 150 countries. This analysis is used to identify country-specific factors that could adversely affect an insurer’s ability to meet its financial obligations.

AM Best’s Country Risk Group is headquartered in Oldwick, New Jersey, and the team consists of two economists. The group works closely with the other offices in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Responsibilities

Run and curate python and excel programmes that produce key credit rating metrics: Country Risk Tiers, Country Investment Classes, Transfer and Convertibility Risk, National Scale Ratings, and others.

• Take charge of data downloads and formatting of over a hundred variables that feed into the metric-producing programmes.
• Update and extend as necessary an extensive suite of python programmes including a custom-built python module.
• Models involve heavy integration with excel through the use of xlwings and rely on numpy, pandas, and regular expressions.

Research, collect and analyze data, and present to internal stakeholders.

• Present the relevant country risk environment at internal meetings consisting of rating analysts. A member of the country risk group presents at every rating committee where country risk is determined to be a potential factor.
• Keep up to date on various world events (i.e. central bank policy) and be able to synthesize that knowledge and determine the potential relevance.
• Provide credit rating analysts with on-demand economic assistance – e.g. writing economic outlooks or providing forecasts.

Produce economic reports and market briefings.

• Assist with the annual task of writing approximately 150 country risk reports.
• Update internal country risk reports as needed for use at internal meetings.
• Update the various economic regional reports the group produces.
• Identify potential topics of interest for report generation.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Economics, Political Science, International Business, or related field.

Skills

• Interest in international economics and related experience is essential.
• Programming experience in Python is essential. Knowledge of xlwings, numpy, pandas, and regular expressions preferred. Familiarity with vscode or jupyter notebook IDEs preferred.
• Excellent Excel abilities.
• Excellent written, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate international offices is essential.