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.   

The role is based in the Futures Analysis Team, a small and friendly team that sits in the Global Futures Directorate (GFD), led by the Chief Scientific Advisor. GFD sits within the ‘strategic centre’ of the department and works to ensure that DBT’s strategic decision-making is underpinned by a clear-eyed view of the future. That includes specific responsibility to lead and cohere DBT’s approach to long-term government priorities around science, technology and climate change, and a broader responsibility for strengthening DBT’s long-term evidence base and building scenario analysis, stress-testing and horizon scanning capacity.   

As an economist in the Futures Analysis Team, you will conduct quantitative analysis on the future of the global economy and its impact on the UK, as well as gather insights from multiple data sources to help inform strategic choices facing DBT.  

The potential scope of the Futures Analysis team’s work is broad and flexible, but a key component will include analysis of the long-term economic, societal, technological, and environmental trends and how they will shape the UK’s economic prospects over the next 30 years. You will be involved in a diverse range of projects – from long-term forecasting of global GDP growth to deep dives on specific issues such as how to reinvigorate productivity growth in the UK’s top sectors – all linked by a common theme of delivering on the Department’s priorities. We aspire to publication-quality analysis, with an emphasis on innovation. An example of the team’s published work is DBT’s Global Trade Outlook (available on GOV.UK). 

Job description

We are looking for an analyst with experience working as a professional economist, able to effectively respond to changing priorities, and who enjoys working independently as well as co-delivering with others.  

With close links to both DBT’s Strategy and Analysis functions, the technical depth of our work varies, from complex macro modelling and time series econometrics, to data visualisation. 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 and the private sector.  

As a civil servant and a member of the Government Economic Service (GES), you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of personal and professional skills.

You will have a chance to develop strong macroeconomic analysis skills and a chance to apply them in economic analysis for central Government departments. You are bound to find great job satisfaction in our team, enhanced by a competitive benefits package, a collaborative working environment, and extensive networking opportunities. 

Quantitative Analysis – You will use your economic knowledge and analytical experience to project how the global economy and trade are likely to evolve over the coming decades and what that means for the UK. This will include analysing how certain risks and scenarios could lead to different future outcomes.  You will use your analysis to shed light on policy issues and strategic choices facing DBT. 
 
Insight – You will enjoy discovering and applying new data sources and blending them with established macroeconomic, trade and investment datasets to deliver novel insights. And you will be proactive in developing your own knowledge and eager to grow the bounds of the team’s expertise. 
 
Strategic thinking – A key part of your role will be developing knowledge on DBT’s policy priorities, and identifying how Departmental strategies could be improved using long-term thinking. This will include working on a range of business and trade issues focused on specific geographies, sectors, or issues. 
 
Clear communications – You will enjoy converting your analytical insights into engaging reports and presentations that have practical relevance for your audience. You will be an articulate writer and have an eye for producing engaging graphics and charts. You will also be skilled at drawing out ‘killer facts’ that will grab the attention of your readers.

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in economics or other quantitative analytical disciplines with a strong economics component (e.g. operational research etc.) 
• Experience of using large datasets and multiple data sources to draw insightful analytical conclusions 

Desirable Criteria  

• Time series analysis and forecasting experience
  
• Experience using forward-looking analysis to influence strategic decisions in a policy or corporate setting 
• Knowledge of international economics and/or the UK economy 

Personal Attributes & Skills 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic analyst who is keen to learn and innovate and can produce original insights on the future of the UK and global economy. 
 
You will be: 

- A practical analyst: Comfortable using a range of quantitative techniques, such as time series analysis and forecasting, to produce high-quality reports and presentations at pace. 
 
- Open minded: You will be keen to collaborate with and learn from others on the team, while also passing on your own knowledge. 
 
- Pragmatic: You acknowledge the limits of your own analysis and will be able to exercise good judgement to draw out insights under uncertainty. 

 - Adaptable: You will be able to re-prioritise effectively, drawing on and providing support to teammates as work pressures fluctuate. 
 
- Diligent and dependable: You will have a proven reputation for creating accurate work at pace.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,633 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.

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.

After the closing date 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. 

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 of up to 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.   

In the event that there is a high volume of applicants, a short sift will be conducted based on Personal statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

If you are offered an interview, you will be asked to give a short presentation. You will receive further details for the presentation prior to the interview to prepare. 

You will also be asked technical skill questions relating to -

• GES: Application of economic knowledge and Analysis of data 

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

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.