Are you an economist or policy researcher looking for paid work on real government policy? The International Growth Centre (IGC), a research centre run by the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford, is hiring for four paid roles: three in South Africa (remote) and one in Jordan. The South Africa roles close very soon, on Sunday 25 October 2026 at 5:00 pm SAST. The Jordan role closes on 30 October 2026.
Jobs at a Glance
| Role | Location | Pay | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economist (consultant) – 2 positions | South Africa (remote) | £180–£220 per day | 25 Oct 2026, 5 pm SAST |
| Research and Policy Officer | South Africa (remote) | £110 per day | 25 Oct 2026, 5 pm SAST |
| Country Economist | Amman, Jordan | From £50,000 a year + 10% pension supplement | 30 Oct 2026, 23:59 UK time |
About the IGC
The International Growth Centre works with governments in developing countries to design economic policy based on evidence. It has country teams in partner countries including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Zambia, and flexible programmes in places like South Africa and Tanzania. The South African roles support the government’s Operation Vulindlela Phase II reform programme, focusing on affordable housing and spatial reform.
1. Economist (Consultant), South Africa – 2 Positions
- Contract: 40–60 days of consultancy work, until March 2027
- Pay: £180–£220 a day, depending on experience
- Work: evidence reviews, policy briefs and presentations for South African government policymakers on affordable housing and spatial reform, plus light data cleaning and analysis
- Requirements: at least a master’s in economics or a related subject (PhD preferred), strong research and policy-writing skills, and a good understanding of South Africa’s development challenges
- Apply: email a one-page CV (with 1–2 referees), a cover letter of up to two pages and a solo-written writing sample for a non-academic audience, all as PDFs, to [email protected], with the subject “South Africa Economist”
2. Research and Policy Officer, South Africa
- Contract: 220 days a year of consultancy work, until March 2028
- Pay: £110 a day
- Work: coordinating research, evidence synthesis, data access and cleaning, and engagement with the Presidency, National Treasury, metros and the UK’s FCDO
- Requirements: at least a bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, development studies or similar (master’s preferred), strong writing and organisation, and interest in housing and urban policy
- Apply: email a one-page CV (with 1–2 referees) and a cover letter of up to two pages, as PDFs, to [email protected], with the subject “South Africa Research and Policy Officer”
3. Country Economist, Jordan
- Location: Amman, Jordan
- Pay: at least £50,000 a year (gross), plus a 10% retirement contribution supplement, inclusive of allowances
- Work: leading IGC’s in-country analysis, linking Jordan’s policy priorities with research, and producing policy outputs
- Requirements: a postgraduate degree in economics or public policy, strong quantitative skills and fluent Arabic (essential)
- Apply: through the LSE Jobs portal
Benefits
- Well-paid work with a respected LSE–Oxford research centre
- Real policy impact, working directly with government
- Remote working for the South Africa roles
- Access to world-leading economists as advisers
Eligibility
- Degrees in economics or a related field, at the level required for each role
- Strong policy writing for non-academic readers
- South Africa roles: must be based in South Africa, with knowledge of its housing and urban issues
- Jordan role: fluent Arabic
Tips for a Strong Application
- Act now. The South Africa deadline is Sunday 25 October at 5 pm, and late applications aren’t accepted.
- Keep the CV to one page. IGC asks for only relevant degrees and experience.
- Use examples in your cover letter to show how you meet each requirement.
- Choose a clear, policy-style writing sample (Economist role). It must be written by you alone and suit non-technical readers.
- Show knowledge of housing and spatial policy in South Africa, such as RDP housing, informal settlements and urban land.
How to Apply
- Read the job descriptions on the IGC careers page.
- For South Africa: email your PDFs to [email protected] with the correct subject line by 5 pm SAST on 25 October 2026.
- For Jordan: apply through the LSE Jobs portal by 23:59 UK time on 30 October 2026.
See the official IGC careers page
Apply for the Country Economist (Jordan) role on LSE Jobs
