principal economic analyst (aso7/8).

Do you value a workplace where the culture is consistently described by staff as “exceptional”, and do you:

• possess a deep-seated passion for economics and believe it is a vital lens for protecting consumer interests?
• thrive on challenging the status quo with high-level, critical economic thinking?
• appreciate flexibility and the option to undertake hybrid working?

If this sounds like you, I invite you to apply for this exciting role of Principal Economic Analyst joining the dynamic team at the Essential Services Commission in providing expert economic regulation and advisory functions that add long-term value to the South Australian community.

About the role
Reporting to the Director, Economics or Executive Director, Consumer Protection and Pricing, the Principal Economic Analyst will provide high level strategic advice and lead economic regulatory projects that inform the Commission’s most critical regulatory decisions and industry monitoring functions and protects the long-term interests of South Australians.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Expert Economic and Financial Analysis: Lead the analysis of and provide expert economic and financial advice on regulatory decisions, economic regulatory methodologies, market structure and conduct and competition issues.
  
• Strategic Project Management: Manage economic and regulatory projects and implement end-to-end project management processes, including risk identification and the facilitation of public consultation processes.
  
• Leadership and Mentoring: Foster a culture of learning by working collaboratively with all peers and actively coaching and supporting the professional development of all team members.

About you
To be successful in this position, you will need to demonstrate:

• Economic Technical Mastery: Senior experience in undertaking complex research and an expert-level proficiency to analyse and present data.
• Strong Communication Skills: Highly developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare reports and convey complex information to a range of audiences.
• Strategic Analytical Thinking: A proven ability to identify critical issues in complex environments and apply creative, critical thinking to solve them.
• Effective Stakeholder Negotiation: Well-developed consultation and negotiation skills used to facilitate cooperation across a wide range of external stakeholders.
• Educational Background: A tertiary qualification in economics or a related discipline is essential.
• Values-Driven Approach: A genuine commitment to the Commission’s core values: accountability, collaboration, agility, respect, and integrity.

About the Commission
The Commission is a statutory authority established as an independent economic regulator and advisory body to protect the long-term interests of South Australian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services. They add long-term value to the South Australian community by meeting our objective through independent, ethical and expert regulatory decisions and the provision of robust advice to Government. Our work is anchored in their core values of Accountability, Collaboration, Agility, Respect, and Integrity.

Their role incorporates licensing, consumer protection, service standards, pricing, monitoring, compliance and public reporting in the water, electricity and gas industries, and access regulation of essential ports and rail infrastructure. They also provide advice and conduct Inquiries to inform the South Australian Government on economic and regulatory policy issues and provide advice to local government.

What the Commission can offer
The Commission and the South Australian public sector promote diversity and flexible ways of working, including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

The Commission supports their employees to deliver high quality outcomes by genuinely providing a great work culture, fostering employee relations and valuing health and wellbeing. They also offer all staff ongoing professional development and access to generous learning and development provisions. They offer hybrid ways of working for all staff and support flexibility for our people.

They are committed to an inclusive workplace that values diversity, and actively promote a culturally safe workplace by developing and implementing inclusion-based action plans, including a Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access Inclusion Plan.

How to apply

Please select the “Apply Now” link to submit your application and ensure you follow the instructions and selection criteria listed below.

To be considered for this role, your application should include the following:

1. An updated resume, listing at least 2 current referees
2. A cover letter which addresses the following three questions only:
   Q1. Please describe your experience in conducting economic and/or financial analysis.

Q2. Provide an example of when you have had to explain complex economic or financial concepts to non-technical audiences (eg decision makers, stakeholders, or the public).

Q3. Please describe your personal values and explain how these would guide you while working at the Commission.

1. A completed and signed Pre-Employment Declaration form. A copy of the form can be found in the listing for this vacancy on the ESCOSA website.
2. Please combine all three documents into one PDF and submit the PDF only.

Applications should be addressed to Sonia Charman, Principal Consultant at Randstad and sent via email to sonia.charman@randstad.com.au.

All further enquiries and requests for further information can be directed to Sonia on 08 8468 8007 or via email.

Applications close at 11.00pm on Sunday 8 February 2026.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.