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.  

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us stronger and better at developing policy that reflects the needs of every community. We embrace different views and experiences and value the new perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.  

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

The Economics Group leads HM Treasury’s analysis of developments in the UK economy and advises ministers on the implications for the Government’s economic strategy. It provides expert economic analysis and advice for Ministers. The Group’s data hub is transforming how the Treasury uses data across its entire business. The Group collaborates with external experts on the UK economy,  including the Bank of England, Office for Budget Responsibility  and leading academics. Economics Group provides support for the UK Government’s economics and social research professions, including running centralised recruitment and the annual conferences. 

About the Team

The Labour Markets, Human Capital, Supply and Regions (LHSR) team is at the centre of the Treasury’s function as an economics Ministry, providing economic analysis, briefing and policy advice on key trends in the UK economy. We lead analysis of the latest developments in supply, labour markets, population, regions and human capital, and deliver high-quality analysis to inform policy advice. The team works flexibly across branches and priorities. We are a friendly, inclusive and supportive team, and work closely and collaboratively with colleagues across the department and across government. 

The team leads on: 

• Providing our latest assessment of supply potential, labour market, population, regions and human capital, drawing on the range of new indicators and established sources to provide regular assessments of the conjuncture and the outlook for supply 
• Delivering high-quality analysis to shape the direction of the Government’s strategy on levelling-up, human capital and labour market interventions, working collaboratively with policy teams and the external community
• Leading the Group’s analysis of structural change, overseeing the assessment of the impact of long-term structural forces on the composition and size of the economy 
• Delivering the latest analysis of migration and population, including the impact of the pandemic on migration and macroeconomic assessment of underlying drivers
• Working closely with the ONS and other institutions to identify and drive forward improvements in statistics on regions, labour market, population and human capital 

This post sits in the Regional Analysis branch. The branch is currently comprised of one Range E2, one Range E, one HEO (this post) and an apprentice economist. 

We are a friendly team and flexible working practices are encouraged. Please do feel free to discuss this with the recruiting line manager. We encourage applications from candidates who may have less experience in some of the required criteria – but are curious and willing to develop their understanding. Gaps can be developed on-the-job and training can be made available. 

About the Role

This role offers the opportunity to bring insightful economic analysis to bear on some of the most important policy decisions at a crucial time for UK economy policy. The post holder will work on and deliver high quality analytical work, working closely with other economists and policy colleagues. As well as strong economics and data analysis skills, the post also requires someone with excellent collaboration and team working skills. The post also provides the opportunity to shape the direction of economic analysis and build excellent relationships both within and outside of the department and government. Additionally, this role offers the opportunity to publish work externally as part of an ongoing research project with the Office for National Statistics. 

Key accountabilities for this role include:

1. Providing analysis to inform the Treasury’s regional economic assessment and monitoring. This will involve drawing on traditional and novel data sources and ensuring that ministers and senior officials are kept up to date on developments in this area.
2. Working closely with policy colleagues to provide advice as policy interventions are developed, based on high quality analysis.
3. Producing high-quality regional economic analysis using econometric and statistical methods. The post holders will be responsible for delivering and overseeing projects, applying robust statistical techniques to ensure accuracy and relevance, and ensuring key issues are communicated in a timely way to senior officials and Ministers.
4. Utilising R and SQL to analyse and visualise large datasets. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining and building scripts that are used to extract, transform and analyse data. This includes the ongoing development and maintenance of an R shiny dashboard.
5. Proactively building positive relationships across a wide array of interested groups to identify and disseminate insightful analysis which supports the department’s strategic objectives. This will include engaging with external partners, including the Office for National Statistics, other government departments, think tanks and academics.
6. Contributing to and helping deliver the corporate and strategic objectives of the team and Group.

Experience

Experience processing, analysing and visualising data is required. Knowledge of R and SQL is desirable but not necessary. A willingness to learn these languages at pace is essential. 

Candidate Drop-In Session 
 
We 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 the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the link below to join the call at the right time.

Monday 22nd April 2024 @ 12:00 - 13:00  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 Angus Stephen (Angus.Stephen@hmtreasury.gov.uk)

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. 

1. Technical Skill: A strong track record of delivering insightful and influential economic analysis, utilizing extensive data to inform and drive decision-making processes
2. Making Effective Decisions: Ability to make effective decision in a timely manner when analysis uncertain or limited evidence
3. Delivering at Pace: Ability to deliver high quality work in a fast-moving environment
4. Communicating and Influencing: Strong communication skills, including an ability to distil key messages and uncertainties from analytical work 

The lead criterion is: Technical Skill: A strong track record of delivering insightful and influential economic analysis, utilizing extensive data to inform and drive decision-making processes.

If we receive large volumes of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criterion only.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in economics ideally with experience of applying economic analysis.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,710, HM Treasury contributes £8,561 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Recruitment Timeline :

Closing date: Sunday 28th April 2024

Shortlisting : w/c 29th April 2024

Interviews: w/c 6th May 2024 

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline. 

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.  

Location-Based Reserve Lists 

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a post immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be approached for roles in merit order according to the first preferred location stated on your application form. 

Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer. We would still encourage you to apply for other HM Treasury opportunities that you are interested in. If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or you are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances. 

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.

Individuals appointed to the Treasury Group will be subject to National Security Vetting. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis using all information that can be obtained following a successful application.

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. 

For many roles, security clearance is also required. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements of the role before they can be appointed. The level of security clearance required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)  

Please read the Vetting Charter for information on what to expect during the vetting process and what will be expected from you.  

Many areas of your life may be explored during your vetting journey, and it is important that every individual, regardless of their background and experiences, should feel comfortable going through this personal process, whilst having confidence that it is fair, proportionate, and inclusive.  

These short videos address common concerns and preconceptions which applicants may have about national security vetting.  

If you have questions relating to security clearances, please contact HMTSecurityVetting@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.