Job Description

Principal Economist - Energy and Commodity Analyst

Why Explore

• Work in the company\xe2\x80\x99s centre of excellence for understanding the energy and commodities markets
• Drive our economic analysis in support of our capital allocation program
• Based in Singapore Global Commercial Hub, with visibility and accessibility to decision makers and senior stakeholders

About us

The Economics department is part of Rio Tinto\xe2\x80\x99s central finance function and reports to the Group CFO. Its objective is to \xe2\x80\x9cadd shareholder value by using best-practice economic analysis to deliver industry leading insights into the global economy (with a focus on China and India) and future long-term trends in commodity markets. It is accountable for the recommendation of long run PEG prices used for Group valuations and investment decisions.

About the role

The \xe2\x80\x98Principal Economist, Energy and Commodity Analyst\xe2\x80\x99 will be responsible for updating Rio Tinto\xe2\x80\x99s long-term outlook and price forecasts for energy and commodity markets. The role will coordinate with other Economics team members, as well as personnel in sales and marketing, planning, strategy, and investment functions to ensure all Rio Tinto\xe2\x80\x99s financial assumptions and decisions are consistent with the group\xe2\x80\x99s long term commodity price forecasts.

Reporting to the General Manager Economics, you will:

• Provide Rio Tinto independent economic analysis into the long-term outlook for energy and commodity markets
• Project manage other commodity analysts and consultants to undertake primary research into energy and commodity markets across various geographies with a focus on unearthing early insights relevant to Rio Tinto
• Clearly explain economic analysis, primary research, and business implications for Rio Tinto to Group Senior Management (Exco level) so it influences corporate language and decision making
• Collaborate with peers and relevant experts across Rio Tinto\xe2\x80\x99s sites and product groups to build awareness of the Economics department\xe2\x80\x99s energy and commodity outlooks and gather relevant data and feedback
• Collaborate with stakeholders across planning, strategy, and investment functions to ensure Rio Tinto\xe2\x80\x99s strategic and financial decisions are consistent with the long-term outlook for energy and commodity markets
• Develop Rio Tinto Economics intellectual asset base with new forecasting models and methodologies for evaluating energy and carbon markets
• Apply best practice economics to develop systematic and user-friendly forecasting models and methodologies
• Help modernise the department\xe2\x80\x99s current asset base of forecasting models and methodologies
• Own a professional training and development plant ot continuously improve personal effectiveness, knowledge, and capability

What you will need for the role

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Post graduate degree in Economics or equivalent
• Minimum ten (10) years of work experience in energy and commodity markets.
• Significant expertise in markets for fossil fuels and electricity, the outlook for renewable electricity, and other non-conventional energy like biofuels and synthetic fuels.
• Fluency with econometric and statistical software, familiarity with Python and other programming languages, familiarity with energy market models and software
• Ability to understand and interpret how thematic research done by other Economics team members in various geographies should be incorporated into the Groups outlook for energy and carbon
• Extensive experience in in energy markets, the outlook for and impact of renewable electricity, other emerging non-conventional fuels like biofuels and synthetic fuels and carbon markets
• Advanced graphing skills and econometric/statistical packages
• Extensive training in mathematical and statistical methods
• Ability to conduct primary research
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across all levels of the business, sufficient to be able to influence strategy at a senior level
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with non-specialists both face to face and remotely

It will be good if you have:

• Fluency with energy market models, computable general equilibrium models, python and other programming languages will be an advantage.

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Leave for all of life\xe2\x80\x99s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

Creating an inclusive and diverse workforce

We are a diverse team of talented, enthusiastic individuals who foster a culture of inclusion. No matter how they may differ, our people share one thing in common. It\xe2\x80\x99s a belief that work is more rewarding when we are accepted and valued for our differences, not judged by them. We all have something to contribute, and it\xe2\x80\x99s this contribution that makes for a great organization and fulfilling career.

Application Deadline: 07th Feb 2024

Please note, in order to be considered for a role you must complete all pre-screening questions.

\xe2\x80\x9cRio Tinto reserves the right to remove job postings prior to the stated closing date, therefore, if you are interested in applying for this vacancy please submit your application as soon as possible.\xe2\x80\x9d

Rio Tinto