Unit Group (L4) 2631

2631 — Economists

Browse this Unit Group profile and explore linked occupation titles.

L4 CODE: 2631
2 PROFESSIONALS → 26 Legal, Social And Cultural Professionals → 263 Social and Religious Professionals
Summary
Economists (KeSCO 2631) supports outcomes in the Social Sciences, Creative & Media sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Social Sciences, Creative & MediaProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Economists (KeSCO 2631) supports outcomes in the Social Sciences, Creative & Media sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
  • Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
  • Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
  • Professional registration/licensing where regulated
  • Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
  • Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
  • Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Senior level
KES 250,000+
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
  • Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
  • Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
  • Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2631-18 — Econometrician
Econometrician is a professional responsible for develop mathematical models that analyze economic relations probe various data sets to model outcomes and make predictions based on statistical studies analyze data sets to model outcomes or make predictions for decision making.
2631-21 — Economic adviser
Economic adviser is a professional responsible for analyze information on economic developments and trends review government policies and programs to ensure they continue to promote sound economic policy.
2631-22 — Economic analyst
Economic analyst is a professional responsible for review and analyzes economic data to prepare reports detailing results of performed conduct surveys for determining and analyzing occupational employment statistics, wage information, labor supply and demand, tax revenues, agriculture production, and insurance and utility rate structures.
2631-23 — Economist
Economist is a professional responsible for study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services collect and analyze data on trends, and evaluate economic issues.
2631-14 — Economist, agricultural
Economist, agricultural is a professional responsible for study agriculture from a business context which involves where products are being consumed, developed, financed, grown, marketed, processed, regulated, researched, taxed and transported participate in the development of strategies designed to assist farmers who may previously have received little assistance from agricultural extension workers analyses aspects of financing, the allocation of inputs and resources, all in an attempt to maximize profits involved in the marketing of food and fibre and the trading that is involved through different channels until it reaches the end user.
2631-15 — Economist, international trade
Economist, international trade is a professional responsible for research and analyze various data metrics related to the global economy and help businesses develop strategies for engaging in international trade analyzes foreign trade and the global economy and uses the insights they glean to advise and guide strategic business decisions for a variety of clients track global trends and assess demand for an organization’s products or services, as well as identify its competitors and potential customers in international markets advise companies on how to develop pricing strategies to maximize profits abroad and ensure that all business transactions comply with international trade laws and regulations provide expertise and experience in analysis, assessment, and recommendations for policy changes.
2631-16 — Economist, labour
Economist, labour is a professional responsible for study the factors affecting the efficiency of workers, their deployment between different industries and occupations, and determine pay understand the economic conditions, the demand and the supply of labour by employers research the wages, benefits, discrimination and working hours to understand the effects on an employee and their career growth looks at the labour supply services (workers) and the labour demand services (employers), and attempts to understand the resulting pattern of wages, employment, and income.
2631-17 — Economist, transport
Economist, transport is a professional responsible for study the efficiency, financial organization and interaction of systems such as railways, air transport, shipping, trucks, buses and cars examine the allocation of private and government resources to transport systems and the implications of fuel production and importation plan, organize and monitor the business activities of a company in the transport sector take on expert and leadership tasks in various business areas and check the profitability and efficiency of numerous means of transport allocate resources so that the supply of transport services most effectively meets the demand.
2631-24 — Labour Analyst
Labour analyst is a professional responsible for reviewing and analyzing labour market data to prepare reports detailing the results of conducted surveys for determining and analyzing employment trends, unemployment rates, occupational structures, wage levels, skills supply and demand, workforce participation, labour productivity, and other labour market indicators to support policy formulation, planning, and decision-making.
2631-11 — Macro-economist
Macro-economist is a professional responsible for conduct research to improve and develop economic concepts, theories and operational methods forecast changes in the economic environment for shortterm budgeting, longterm planning and investment evaluation formulate recommendations, policies and plans for the economy, corporate strategies and investment, and undertaking feasibility studies for projects monitor economic data to assess the effectiveness, and advise on the appropriateness of monetary and fiscal policies forecast production and consumption of specific products and services based on records of past production and consumption and general economic and industryspecific conditions prepare forecasts of income and expenditure, interest and exchange rates analyse factors that determine labour force participation, employment, wages, unemployment and other labour market outcomes.
2631-13 — Micro-economist
Micro-economist is a professional responsible for study decisions of individuals and firms to allocate resources of production, exchange, and consumption deal with prices and production in single markets and the interaction between different markets concerning with how supply and demand interact in individual markets for goods and services.
2631-12 — Planning Officer (Economic)
Planning Officer (Economic) is a professional responsible for formulate, initiate, coordinate implementation, monitor and evaluation of economic development plans, policies and strategies towards achieving the national development agenda undertake economic analysis, evaluation and monitoring of development projects and programmes conduct prefeasibility and feasibility studies set project priorities collect and analyze data relating to productive sectors review of development policy strategies and programmes coordinate sectoral/regional development plan, assist in the formulation of economic and statistical development activities provide leadership in preparation of the country’s longterm development blue prints, mediumterm plans and sector plans as well as public investment policy and oversight guide counties in preparation of county development plans and operationalization of monitoring and evaluation systems.