Laurinda Mabunda

Currency Researcher - South African Reserve Bank

(2023-07 - 2026-05)

Executing research to address strategic and operational challenges within the currency value chain, providing data-driven insights to inform the Currency Management Department's decision-making and strategy.
Responsible for the continuous review and development of Policies that inform strategic and operational departmental decisions.
Presents research findings and policy recommendations to relevant stakeholders across various departments and Commercial Banks, including other cash industry participants, to inform strategic planning and enhance currency developments.
Monitored and analysed key domestic and global macroeconomic indicators, including inflation, interest rates, exchange-rate movements, GDP growth, commodity prices, fiscal developments, geopolitical risks and monetary policy trends, to assess their implications for currency demand, circulation patterns and broader currency developments in South Africa.
Contributed to policy reviews during periods of heightened cash demand and reputational scrutiny, ensuring continuity of public access to cash and mitigating systemic risks.
Performing data analysis using tools such as R, Power BI and Excel to generate actionable insights that support evidence-based policy formulation.
Leads consumer research initiatives by employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This includes Mistry Shopping, designing and administering surveys for benchmarking purposes, conducting structured interviews, and engaging in ongoing interactions with members of the public, central banks, and relevant institutions.
Coordinates industry meetings to engage stakeholders about currency trends, innovations, challenges, and developments in South Africa and internationally.
Achieved 4 HOD awards for delivering high-quality and relevant research work that informs the SARB's 2030 Cash Strategy, Currency Policy, Public Cost of Cash and Public Financial Inclusion Strategies.
Part of a Planning Committee responsible for coordinating and managing CMD's currency awareness and staff engagement initiatives. This includes organising tours for cash centre subsidiaries and hosting career fairs within the Bank, which aims to promote knowledge sharing, staff collaboration, and visibility of the diverse work streams and opportunities available within the Bank and its subsidiaries.

Communications and Project Manager - Epitome of Black Excellence (NPO)

(2022-05 - 2023-06)

Led communications and community development projects aimed at empowering underprivileged communities and celebrating Black excellence across South Africa.
Conducted social research and needs assessments to identify development priorities, develop policies and inform programme design, and evaluate community impact.
Designed and implemented communication strategies and digital campaigns to market and promote Black achievement, increasing organisational visibility and engagement by over 70%.
Managed end-to-end project lifecycles, including planning, budgeting, execution, monitoring, and reporting, using tools such as Trello and MS Project to track deliverables and timelines.
Coordinated high-profile events and award ceremonies recognising outstanding contributions in business, education, and community upliftment.
Fostered partnerships and engaged with diverse stakeholders, including local businesses, community leaders, and media organisations, to strengthen project reach and sustainability.
Developed public relations materials, press releases, and digital content to enhance the organisation's brand identity and impact storytelling.
Monitored and evaluated programme outcomes using data analytics and feedback tools to improve future project planning and accountability.

Mining Economic Researcher - Project Global Mining UK

(2022-06 - 2023-05)

Led economic research and policy analysis on mining sector performance, assessing productivity trends, regulatory frameworks, commodity market dynamics, and the socioeconomic implications of mining operations across Africa and the UK.
Applied cost-benefit and input-output modelling to quantify economic impacts, aligning mining sector outcomes with investor expectations and regulatory frameworks.
Conducted ESG project evaluations assessing compliance with global sustainability standards and the economic implications of mining communities. I successfully authored and published an eBook on Sustainable Mining Practices, consolidating project insights and the best practices that strengthen ESG integration frameworks for client mining firms.
Performed impact assessments to quantify the economic, environmental and social outcomes of mining projects using cost-benefit and input-output modelling techniques.
Engaged in project auditing and evaluation, reviewing financial, environmental and operational data to assess performance against ESG and economic benchmarks, successfully identifying efficiencies, gaps and actionable insights for improved compliance and reporting accuracy.
Collaborated with multiple mining companies, research consultants and policy teams across Africa to harmonise data collection, project reporting and sustainability assessments, to enhance data comparability and research integrity.
Managed and coordinated 6 research projects simultaneously, ensuring the timely delivery of milestones. Stakeholder engagements and alignment with organisational standards, successfully leading a multi-partner ESG benchmarking initiative covering 5 African mining jurisdictions.
Provided technical economic support to project management teams, integrating research findings into business development, feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement frameworks.

Investment Analyst - IG Investment Index UK

(2021-04 - 2022-03)

Conducted macroeconomic and financial market analysis to assess trends in global currencies, commodities, and equities, integrating statistical modelling and economic indicators into investment insights.
Analysed fiscal and monetary policy shifts to inform investment strategies, translating complex regulatory developments into actionable insights for clients.
Applied econometric and quantitative techniques such as regression and time-series analysis with the use of analytical tools such as R, Python and Eviews to evaluate market performance, portfolio risks, and investment opportunities, which were presented to investment clients daily to support their trading and investment decisions.
Developed data models that improved short-term market forecasting and risk-adjusted return estimates. This improved the accuracy of short-term market forecasts and strengthened risk evaluation models that supported data-driven investment decisions.
Strengthened portfolio risk evaluation models through advanced econometric techniques, directly supporting evidence-based investment strategies in a highly regulated environment.
Executed research to prepare regular financial and economic reports summarising market developments, fiscal trends, and monetary policy implications, which streamlined monthly economic reports, improving turnaround time and data visualisation quality.
Communicated analytical findings through concise presentations and written reports to senior management and cross-functional teams, receiving great recognition for delivering clear, data-informed insights that bridged economic research and practical strategy.

Economic Research and Development Intern - United Nations Development Program SA

(2020-02 - 2021-02)

Assisted the Supervisor with socio-economic impact research on COVID-19, focusing on effects on unemployment, informal economies, SMMEs and gender disparities. This contributed to an internal brief that informed recovery strategies for vulnerable communities in South Africa, Kenya, and Nairobi.
Compiled and analysed macroeconomic and development data to inform UNDP's recovery and resilience programs. Developed data visuals and insights that were featured in the regional economic recovery reports.
Drafted policy briefs and research summaries highlighting post-pandemic economic challenges and opportunities for inclusive growth, which were cited in the UNDP Policy Note on "Sustainable Recovery Strategies in Developing Countries."
Designed and administered structured surveys to assess how the pandemic affected small businesses and the informal sector.
Conducted stakeholder interviews with community representatives, NGOs and policy counterparts to gather qualitative insights for various projects.
Cleaned, coded and validated quantitative data using R and STATA for integration into socio-economic dashboards and comparative analysis across regions. This improved the accuracy and consistency of socio-economic indicators used in UNDP's internal monitoring systems.
Identified stakeholders and engaged in cross-collaboration with multiple government institutions and agencies to support data collection, validation, and analysis for socio-economic projects, ensuring that research findings informed policy frameworks.

Economic Tutor and Student Research Facilitator - North-West University Mafikeng

(2017-01 - 2018-12)

Provided academic tutoring and mentorship to Undergraduate Economics students.
Guided students through research projects, assisting with methods, data collection and academic writing.
Assisted lecturers in facilitating research workshops and acted as liaison between students and faculty.
Assisted lecturers with academic administration, including marking assessments, compiling results, and developing student assignments.
Supported the smooth delivery of teaching and research activities within the Economics Department

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