About the job

Job summary

The VOA values property for public sector purposes – including domestic property valuation for Council Tax  and Non-Domestic valuation for Business rates and relevant reliefs.

We’re looking for talented people who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. Your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective service right at the heart of the public interest.

At the heart of the agency, we are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all and which values diversity and inclusion in everything we do.  We encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work by providing a culture that values different perspectives to help tackle complex problems, promote innovation, and deliver stronger decision making in a safe and supportive environment. We therefore welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to join our organisation and enable us to be representative of the communities we serve.

Our people have the freedom to manage their own diaries and are empowered to deliver under their own autonomy. We trust our people and look forward to welcoming your skills into the VOA community.

Job description

Lead Economist – Role Overview

The VOA is looking for an experienced economist to form an economics function within the agency, to help us to understand how changes that the agency makes impact our customers and the UK economy in general.

The role of Lead Economist sits within the VOAs Information, Data & Analysis (ID&A) directorate reporting to the VOA’s Chief Analyst. ID&A is a multidisciplinary team of analysts (OR’s, Statisticians and Social Researchers) along with DdaT professionals and knowledge & information management experts.

Lead Economist – Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the VOAs capability in understanding the impacts and benefits of transformation on our customers and the wider economy. Work alongside our operational analysts to understand the impacts of these changes on the VOA.
• Work with programmes and policy experts to develop and understand the economic case for changes both within our internal processes and working with Infrastructure Portfolio Authority, HM Treasury and HMRC on our major transformation programmes.
• Strengthen and develop the VOAs reporting processes to recognise the value that the VOA adds. Scrutinise and monetise qualitative benefits claims and assessing value for money through the economics lens of the Green Book.
• Work with stakeholders across the agency and wider government to challenge and build the agency’s understanding of economics. Build the economic function within the VOA, as the Head of Profession to work with economists from across government to develop the VOAs links to the Government Economic Service and ensure sustainable future capability.
• Develop economic appraisal of investment projects including developing economic cases for business cases.
• Scrutinise and help improve understanding of benefits claims within the VOA.
• Work with senior leaders and other Government departments to explain the role the VOA has on the economy.
• Set up and baseline external metrics for the VOA to understand its economic impact.
• Build and expand the role of economics within the VOA.

Person specification

Our ideal candidate for the Lead Economist role will have the ability to build robust working relationships with stakeholders spanning the grade structure. They will have the ability to identify opportunities for the agency to develop and share knowledge across the analytical professions.

Additionally, they will be able to explain and promote the understanding of complex analytical concepts raising the capability and understanding of colleagues throughout the agency in the field of economics.

Essential Criteria

• A first or upper second-class honours degree in Economics. 50% of the modules studied within the degree should have covered economics including both micro and macroeconomics to qualify. A master’s in economics would also be acceptable.
• A current member of the Government Economic Service or, upon passing the interview, you will join the Government Economic Service. [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-economic-service/about/membership]
• Experience in appraising costs and benefits of investment and business-as-usual projects and programmes, preferably in a business case environment.
• Demonstrable understanding of the guidance in the government Green Book [https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-green-book-and-accompanying-guidance-and-documents]
• Ability to set a roadmap to grow economic capability within a wider analyst function.
• Proportionately quality assures analytical products to ensure high quality delivery.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,631, Valuation Office Agency contributes £14,750 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.

If you can meet our person requirements above we are keen to hear from you.

To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following: 

A CV setting out your Job History/Full Qualifications/Previous skills and experiences.

Technical Skills - Please outline your experience as an economist using the GES technical framework, focusing on the core area of Application of Knowledge in Government.

The behaviour examples as listed above, maximum 250 words per behaviour. 

Sift - W/C 22nd January 2024

Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. 

We will assess you on your CV, Technical Skills, Behaviours, Qualifications and Membership.

Candidates who pass the full sift will be progressed straight to interview.

Interviews - Mid February 2024

Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview 

Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.

We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description and Technical Skills.

The candidates may be asked several questions on their technical competency for the role. They will also be required to undertake a technical exercise during the interview.

At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.

Behaviours 

The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.  

You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation. 

You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people. 

When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on. 

Further Information

As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available, you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 3 options.

Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Canary Wharf location will not appear on the list of options. It is replaced by Tower Hamlets.

Please note the Tower Hamlets location is our Canary Wharf location, 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU.  

Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets.

Any move to VOA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk  

VOA employees only:  If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for.  Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.

The VOA is an office-based organisation, however as all of our roles have aspects which can be completed from home, all colleagues have the ability to work a hybrid working pattern. The amount that colleagues work from home or office is defined by several factors including the nature of the work they carry out, the needs of their stakeholders, their development needs and personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities. To learn more about the hybrid working arrangements that could be available in this role, please contact the vacancy holder. 

Pre-employment Checks

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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.  

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter. 

Reasonable Adjustment 

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.  

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Terms & Conditions

Voluntary terms apply. 

Reserve Lists

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 6-month reserve list as standard.

During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order. 

Starting Work 

The successful candidate will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.

Applying 

All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.  
Please note that late applications will not be accepted. 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Concerns/Complaints 

The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.  
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address  resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.

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.