Assistant Economist, European Economics, Fiscal and Monetary Policy
HM Treasury
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 3rd November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Economist
Policy
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
About HM Treasury
If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.
Our work ranges from protecting customers through the regulation of the financial sector, helping to reduce carbon emissions and creating a greener economy, to promoting British trade around the world and supporting people across the country on jobs, growth and more.
We are part of the Darlington Economic Campus, a pioneering new cross-government hub which brings people together to play an active role in the most important issues of the day whilst working closer to the communities we serve. The campus provides the opportunity for people from all over the UK to help shape the future of the country, and our flexible working practices ensure you can collaborate effectively with our partners. It’s central government, made more accessible to you!
Job description
About the Group
Do you want to advise ministers on promoting and protecting the UK’s economy and its competitiveness internationally in a fast-changing environment? If so, read on!
International Group provides opportunities to work on areas including - spending control on international development, trade policy, climate change, health, cooperation on Ukraine, economic security, financial sanctions and tackling illicit finance. We also manage economic relationships with Europe, US, China and other advanced economies and emerging markets.
We build relationships with external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international groupings and institutions, including the G7, the G20, the International Monetary Fund and at some of the Multilateral Development Banks. We also analyse international comparisons and the wider global economic context, including for fiscal events. Although international travel is an important part of some roles, it is not required for every role in the group and will be specified if required.
About the Team
The International family includes the International Partnerships and Trade (IPT), International Finance and Economic Security (IFES) and Economic Crime and Security (ECAS) Director-led Groups.
Within the International 'family’, the International Partnerships and Trade (IPT) Director Group is a friendly group leading on core aspects of the International agenda. It is made up of three Deputy Director-led teams and one Director-led team, covering European Policy (EP), International Economic Partnerships (IEP), Global Economics (GE) and Trade Policy (TP) and led by Director Ian Ginsberg. It has around 70 permanent roles.
This role is in the Global Economics Team. We are a team of 15 analysts that works at the heart of International Group to provide analysis and economic policy advice on key global issues, prospects, and risks, and on their implications for the UK economy and policy priorities.
The team comprises two branches:
- The Global Prospects and Advanced Economies (GPAE) branch, which leads on: HMT’s assessment of the global economy; and analysis on major advanced economies, including Europe, the US, Japan, Canada and Australia, including comparisons to the UK.
- The Emerging Markets (EM) branch, which has responsibility for economic analysis on emerging markets, including China, Russia, Turkey, the MENA Region, SE Asia and Latin America, and leads on a range of cross-cutting EM-focused global economic issues.
The team works flexibly and collaboratively to fashion high quality analysis and advice on a diverse and exciting range of policy areas and issues. We take pride in being friendly, encouraging, and providing excellent opportunities for professional development. We value innovative approaches and creative thinking. Come and join us!
About the Job
This is a stretching HEO post within the Global Economics team’s Global Prospects and Advanced Economies branch, offering the opportunity to work on important international policy and macroeconomic issues, in an exciting and fast paced area with high ministerial and senior official interest. The role will be a key contributor to several of the Unit’s core responsibilities:
- HMT’s rigorous analysis on major European economies, leading this analysis and working closely with the International Economic Partnerships team to ensure economic insights and analysis are reflected in HMT’s policy and ministerial/senior engagement with European counterparts.
- Contributing to the branch’s analysis of inflation, fiscal and monetary policy international comparisons, helping to bring a global perspective to live UK economic policy debates and decision making, with an opportunity to lead on discrete pieces of analysis in this area, working closely with colleagues in HMT’s Economic and Fiscal Groups. Previous examples include analysis of fiscal and monetary frameworks across G7 countries.
- Communicating this analysis to the Global Economics team’s stakeholders. Work in this area has included coordinating and delivering the international section of presentations to HMT’s Chief Economist, presenting analysis of international monetary policy comparisons to a senior HMT audience to help guide domestic policy, and delivering presentations to FCDO economists across the UK’s European embassy network.
- Leading on HMT’s strategy, policy and international engagement on a portfolio of countries, with the precise set of countries and division of responsibilities across the team depending on the postholder’s interests, experience and development priorities. This will include maintaining an ongoing HMT relationship with British Embassies in their countries and delivering briefing for senior and Ministerial engagement and visits. The Global Economics team leads within HMT on engagement and policy for mid-sized economies, such as Spain and the Netherlands within Europe, alongside its analytical function.
- Contributing to ongoing work to automate aspects of the team’s activity using data science tools, with scope to take on greater responsibility in this area based on their interests.
- Matrix managing the team’s placement student on discrete pieces of work, as well as briefing and requests on Euro Area market and macroeconomic data.
Candidate Drop-In Session – Microsoft Teams
The hiring manager will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.
Wednesday 23rd October at 15:00: Join the meeting now
If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Daniel Coysh Daniel.coysh@hmtreasury.gov.uk who will be happy to discuss the role and answer questions. The previous postholder Cain Baybutt Cain.baybutt@hmtreasury.gov.uk is also happy to discuss the role with potential applicants.
Person specification
We are looking for the below skills, experience and behaviours and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application form. Please review the Candidate FAQ document that is attached to the advert for guidance on how to complete your application form.
- Technical Skill - Understanding of macroeconomics and an ability to conduct quantitative macroeconomic analysis.
- Making Effective Decisions - Analysing and accurately interpreting data from various sources to support decision making.
- Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
The lead criterion is: Technical Skill - Understanding of macroeconomics and an ability to conduct quantitative macroeconomic analysis.
If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.
Candidate Guidance Support Session – Microsoft Teams
We will be running an overview of Success Profiles and the STAR approach including top tips for the application and interview process and an opportunity to ask general questions around our recruitment practices. Please note that this session is not role specific, so we will be unable to answer specific questions about roles we are advertising. If you would like to join us, please use the one of the links below to join the call at your preferred time.
Thursday 17th October at 12:30: Join the meeting now
Thursday 31st October at 12:30: Join the meeting now
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Understanding of macroeconomics and an ability to conduct quantitative macroeconomic analysis.
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King's birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
- Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
- Generous parental and adoption leave package.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 28%
- Onsite restaurant and coffee bar. The London office also offers a gym, showers and prayer room
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
- A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests and diversity
Flexible Working Arrangements
HM Treasury views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they can enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including; part-time, compressed hours and job sharing. Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees the flexibility to adjust their working patterns throughout the week which is subject to operational needs and line management approval.
At HM Treasury we have an incredibly broad remit; our work touches every citizen of the country. So, it’s important our employees come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, bringing us the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking. We are committed to ensuring that all staff can realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites - Darlington, London, and Norwich, and along with the rest of the Civil Service, has an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office, along with working remotely. This blended working approach allows you to work collaboratively, meet stakeholders face to face, support others and promotes a healthy work life balance (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. All our offices have been recently modernised and designed to collaborate and connect with colleagues as well as desk and quiet space to allow a range of ways to work.
The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: 3rd November
Shortlisting: w/c 4th November
Interviews: w/c 18th November
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.
Eligibility Statement
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this. Please refer to the Candidate FAQ document attached to the advert for more information.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Security Check (SC)
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Daniel Coysh
- Email : daniel.coysh@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Further information
