Economic Security Legal Expert

Job Type:

The Economic Security Operations Unit (ESOU) within RAND's National Security Research Division is seeking a mission-driven legal expert in the area of infrastructure finance and the strategic use of capital for supporting innovation. This expert will contribute to research and analysis at the intersection of economics, finance, and national security. Ensuring U.S. economic competitiveness in the future will require informed analyses to identify the investments that need to be made at home and abroad, and to determine which investments are most likely to pay off. Building on past RAND work, ESOU will conduct a series of analyses to identify investments that are economically feasible, practical, and of strategic relevance to U.S. national security objectives.

The successful candidate will engage with an interdisciplinary research team on economic and legal analyses that focus on maintaining U.S. competitiveness, developing public-private partnerships, and identifying key strategies to advance U.S. economic interests as well as global security.

This position is up to full-time for one-year, contingent on funding being received.

Duties

The successful candidate will analyze a variety of mature and emerging markets to identify supply chain vulnerabilities, pricing and other distortions, investment opportunities, and economic security priorities.That analysis will require leveraging and integrating methods from a number of disciplines, including law, econometrics, network analysis, financial modeling, and machine learning. Specific tasks likely will include developing rigorous quantitative approaches to analyzing relevant data, determining which options are valid from both a finance and a governance perspective, conducting financial and legal analyses, drafting technical reports and presentations, managing budgets and sub-contractors, as well as coordinating work among project team members and ensuring that teams meet deadlines. This position will also include collaboration with policymakers, industry partners, and external researchers.

Qualifications
All research positions at RAND require excellent analytic skills; the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team; and a strong commitment to RAND's core values of quality and objectivity.

Required:

• Demonstrated knowledge of private capital markets including understanding complex transactions and how legal contracts impact innovation.

• Experience with U.S. government co-financing options for large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of analytic methods to include econometrics, network analysis, financial modeling and machine learning.

• Experience with legal analysis of governmental policies.

• Strong analytic skills, with the ability to synthesize complex technical and policy issues into actionable recommendations.

• Superb organizational skills with experience managing large teams, budgets, contracts/subcontracts, and timelines.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated experience developing and facilitating partnerships with public and commercial entities.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with multiple sources of relevant economic and finance data.

Education and Experience
Master's degree or JD preferred and at least 12 years of relevant work experience required

Security Clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government clearance is preferred.

Salary Range: $220,000-$250,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Location

Washington, DC office or fully remote with frequent travel to Washington, DC.

Equal Opportunity Employer