Senior Economist

About CAHRC

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is a national, non-profit organization that delivers trusted labour market information (LMI), skills analysis, and workforce solutions for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Our work supports a resilient, innovative workforce across the food, fuel, and fibre value chain, helping the sector respond to evolving labour, skills, and productivity challenges.

Agriculture and agri-food is a dynamic, technology-enabled sector where producers and employers are environmental stewards, economic contributors, and essential to Canada’s food security. CAHRC works with industry, government, and partners across Canada to ensure decisions are grounded in evidence and impact.

Position Summary

CAHRC is seeking a Senior Economist to lead the development, application, and continuous improvement of the organization’s labour market intelligence and economic analysis. This is an existing vacancy with the role being responsible for advanced labour market modelling, skills and workforce analysis, and translating complex economic evidence into practical insights for industry, government, and sector partners.

The Senior Economist plays a critical role in shaping CAHRC’s research agenda, ensuring analytical rigour, managing funded research projects, and contributing to business development through proposal development and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Economic & Labour Market Analysis

• Lead the design, maintenance, and enhancement of CAHRC’s labour market supply and demand model and related analytical tools.
• Conduct advanced economic, labour market, and skills analysis to support sector decision-making.
• Apply economic theory and quantitative methods to real-world workforce challenges in agriculture and agri-food.
• Ensure methodological integrity, data quality, and appropriate use of Statistics Canada and other data sources.

Research Delivery & Knowledge Mobilization

• Oversee the development of high-quality research outputs, including reports, fact sheets, dashboards, datasets, presentations, and webinars.
• Translate complex analysis into clear, accessible insights tailored to diverse audiences.
• Work closely with communications and marketing colleagues to support dissemination and uptake of LMI and skills products.
• Monitor and report on usage and impact of CAHRC’s labour market and skills resources.

Project Management

• Plan and manage funded research projects from initiation through completion, including scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality management.
• Project work planning, implementation, change control, and reporting to funders and stakeholders.
• Ensure project documentation, financial tracking, invoicing, and reporting requirements are met.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Development

• Contribute to strong relationships with industry leaders, government partners, funders, and subject-matter experts.
• Support advisory committees, working groups, and project governance structures.
• Identify emerging sector needs and contribute to the development of new products, services, and research proposals.
• Prepare and contribute to funding proposals, budgets, and business cases for future work.

Core Competencies

Economic & Policy Analysis (Advanced): Applies advanced economic theory and labour market principles to sector challenges.

Labour Market Modelling & Forecasting (Advanced): Designs, validates, and applies workforce and labour market models.

Data & Statistical Analysis (Advanced): Analyzes large, complex datasets using appropriate quantitative tools.

Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Integrates evidence with long-term sector outcomes and organizational priorities.

Knowledge Mobilization: Synthesizes complex analysis into accessible, decision-ready insights.

Client & Stakeholder Focus: Provides trusted, senior-level advice and builds long-term relationships.

Project Leadership: Plans, executes, and delivers projects within scope, time, and budget.

Quality & Risk Management: Ensures analytical rigour, quality assurance, and risk mitigation.

Communication: Communicates complex economic concepts clearly in written and verbal formats.

Collaboration & Relationship Building: Works effectively across teams and partner organizations.

Education & Qualifications

Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Labour Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related quantitative discipline.

An equivalent combination of advanced education and senior-level applied economic experience may be considered.

Experience

Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in applied economics, labour market research, policy analysis, or related fields.

Demonstrated experience developing and managing economic or labour market models.

Experience working with government, industry associations, research organizations, or non-profits.

Strong familiarity with Statistics Canada data sources, surveys, and labour market indicators.

Project management experience is an asset; economic expertise is the primary requirement.

Assets

Experience in agriculture, agri-food, natural resources, or rural labour markets.

Publication of applied research, economic analysis, or policy reports.

Experience contributing to funding proposals or business development activities.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $100,000–$110,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Comprehensive group benefits following a three-month probation period.

Vacation: Four weeks annually.

Sick Leave: Twelve paid sick days per year.

Retirement: Mandatory participation in a 50/50 RRSP program with a 5% employer contribution.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé as a single PDF file by February 13, 2026.

Please include your name and the position title in the file name (e.g., Jane Doe – Senior Economist.pdf).

In your resume, please include links or references to your publications, reports, presentations or research that you contributed.

Applications should be sent to:

Julie Schryburt
Finance and Administration Manager
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
info@cahrc-ccrha.ca

AI will not be used to screen, assess or select applicants for this position.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone inquiries, please.

For more information about CAHRC, visit www.cahrc-ccrha.ca.