Infrastructure Economist

Job Description: Infrastructure Economist

Location: Flexible (India-based locations are preferred)

Position: Full-time

Experience: 6–10 years

About Us

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 75+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, US and UK exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Our team of data scientists apply agile programming and ICT tools in order to deliver responsive and practical data and digital solutions—making for an innovative, technology-oriented business model that sets us apart in the international development space.

The international business community is taking notice of this unique approach: in 2021 alone, Athena Infonomics was recognized on The Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statista’s High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 ranking, and was selected as one of The Economic Times and Statista’s 2021 and 2022 India Growth Champions.

The Context for This Role

Municipal water and sanitation projects remain chronically underfunded, not only because capital is unavailable, but because preparation is expensive, pipelines are unrealistic, and reliable market intelligence is scarce. Our consulting work addresses this by bridging the gap between policy de‑risking and financial de‑risking through rigorous, scenario‑driven economic analysis. We focus on urban water and sanitation markets first, with the intention to extend into other infrastructure domains such as energy, logistics, and supply chains.

The Infrastructure Economist will play a central role in this mission, leading the technical development of methodologies and economic models, ensuring they are robust, defensible, and directly relevant to decision‑makers.

The Role

The Infrastructure Economist will be the technical backbone of our infrastructure advisory work under the Governance and Service Delivery Practice at Athena. You will own the methodologies and models that underpin our products, working alongside the business development and finance leads to ensure every output is credible with utilities, regulators, DFIs, and investors.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Lead development and refinement of economic and financial models for urban water and sanitation markets, with potential to expand into other infrastructure sectors.
• Design scenario modelling frameworks that test interventions such as tariff reform, vendor partnerships, NRW reduction, and phased infrastructure investment.
• Strengthen and document modelling methodologies, ensuring outputs are transparent, auditable, and repeatable.
• Translate complex data into clear decision tools including cost stacks, demand projections, subsidy/tariff scenarios, and OPEX/DSCR analysis.
• Engage with utilities, regulators, DFIs, and investors to validate assumptions and present findings.
• Mentor analysts, manage technical workflows, and oversee QA across projects.
  
  

Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone who is equally at home in spreadsheet modelling and strategic dialogue, with the confidence to own technical methods end-to-end.

• Experience: 6–10 years in infrastructure economics, project preparation, or transaction advisory, ideally with exposure to water/sanitation. Experience in other infrastructure (energy, transport, logistics) is a plus.
• Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in economics / business economics (or any other related discipline with a major in economics) from a reputed academic institution.
• Technical skills: Advanced financial and economic modelling (Excel essential; Python/R a plus), scenario analysis, cost and tariff modelling, and demand/affordability analysis.
• Sector knowledge: Strong grasp of urban service markets, including the role of informal providers, subsidy/tariff frameworks, and blended finance mechanisms.
• Stakeholder skills: Credible with both technical and financial audiences; able to present assumptions and outputs clearly.
• Mindset: Proactive, rigorous, and detail-oriented. Comfortable innovating methodologically while keeping outputs decision-focused and user-friendly.
  
  

Why Join Us

• Shape the development of a first-of-its-kind infrastructure market product that has already attracted the attention of global partners.
• Work on real investment barriers, not abstract models: our tools are designed to stop “fantasy pipelines” and create investable projects.
• Join a team that blends technical rigour with market pragmatism. We work at speed, but with credibility.
• Build capacity for the long term. This role is a business development investment to ensure we have the technical strength to scale.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.
• The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.
• Only candidates who have relevant country work authorization will be considered.
  
  

Apply: Through Keka.

Athena’s Work Culture

At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model: we support our team members professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues’ personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

---