Senior Economist - Futures Analysis
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Saturday 12th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. We operate in an increasingly dynamic international environment, with a range of forces rapidly reshaping the global economy. For the UK to navigate this environment successfully, we need to understand how the world is changing.
To help guide Department for Business and Trade's (DBT’s) strategic thinking, the Futures Analysis and Foresight team – a ‘futures think-tank’ – sits at the heart of DBT within the Global Futures Directorate. Our role is to advance the most pressing long-term issues facing the department with impactful evidence and policy advice. Through this, we aim to ensure that DBT’s strategy is robust, resilient and futureproofed so as to support UK prosperity.
Job description
Your role will be as a senior economist in the Futures Analysis team, which is responsible for creating the quantitative analysis around the future of the global economy that underpin DBT’s strategic decisions. You will lead projects that will provide analytical insights around how long-term economic, societal, technological, and environmental trends will shape the UK’s economic prospects over the next 30 years. You will be involved in a diverse range of issues, from long-term forecasting of global GDP growth to deep dives on specific issues such as the future of carbon pricing – all linked by a common theme of delivering on the Department’s priorities. A recent example of the team’s published work is DBT’s Global Trade Outlook (available on GOV.UK).
We are looking for analysts with experience working as a professional economist. With close links to both DBT’s Strategy and Analysis functions, the technical depth of our work varies, from complex macro modelling to deep dives into priority policy areas. That is allied with an understanding of the big picture and how such approaches can be used to tackle strategic questions. As such, we are open to a diverse set of analytical skills that will complement the rest of the team – which boasts a mix of experience from around the Civil Service as well as other organisations.
This is a leadership role. You will have line management responsibility for one Senior Executive Officer (SEO) and be expected to provide thought leadership, both in developing the Directorate’s work agenda and leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver on that agenda. As such we are looking for a kind, collaborative, positive individual who can contribute to a an inclusive team spirit.
Person specification
Quantitative Analysis– You will use your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques (such as trend forecasting, horizon scanning, scenario analysis and risk assessment) and experience gathering insights from multiple data sources to shed light on the complex policy issues and strategic choices facing DBT in the decades ahead.
Project management and delivery– You will lead and contribute to a range of projects, working closely with other strategy and policy teams across the department to deliver insightful and policy-relevant analysis on burning policy questions, sometimes at pace. You will be comfortable delivering at pace and to a high quality.
Communicating with impact– You will be adept at converting complex analysis into easily digestible content that can influence decision-making at the highest levels. You will be an articulate writer with the ability to produce eye-catching graphs and facts.
Leadership and people management– Working closely with the Head of Futures Analysis, you will provide thought leadership in identifying research themes and growing the bounds of the team’s expertise to help to support DBT’s policy priorities. You will oversee 1 SEO economist, while coaching the wider team in developing their analytical skills.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in economics (or degree with significant economics component)
- Experience of using large datasets and multiple data sources to draw insightful analytical conclusions
- Knowledge of international economics and/or the UK economy
Desirable Criteria
- Masters’ degree in economics
- Time series analysis and forecasting experience.
- Experience using forward-looking analysis to influence strategic decisions in a policy or corporate setting
- Experience in economic policy making, allowing you to apply your own knowledge and curiosity to solve complex policy problems;
- Leadership experience of managing individuals and projects
Personal Attributes & Skills
We are looking for a self-starter and innovative thinker, with a ‘big picture’ approach to analysis and the ability to engage with and bring evidence to bear on a range of strategic questions.
You will be a pragmatic analysist, comfortable using a range of quantitative techniques to produce high-quality outputs at pace, while acknowledging the limits of your own analysis and exercising good judgement to draw out insights under uncertainty.
You will be effective in managing different workstreams and be able to prioritise and effectively manage across multiple projects simultaneously. You will also be comfortable working in a fast-paced policy-making environment and be able to flexibly adjust your work priorities in the face of emerging demands.
You will be a collaborative & empathetic leader, able to build relationships, inspire and bring people along with you, and provide leadership to a diverse team.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Application of knowledge - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
- Analysis of Data - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement (750 words)explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
- A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Karin Bosveld
- Email : karin.bosveld2@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
