About the job

Summary

This is an exciting role leading an analytical programme at the heart of government, providing advice and analysis directly to the Prime Minister, Cabinet and other ministers.

At the outset, we are seeking a G6 economist to lead a team of economists providing analysis and policy advice within the Directorate General for Analysis (DGA) in the Covid-19 Taskforce. As the demand for analytical work to support the pandemic response reduces, we expect the role to develop to provide economic analysis in support of the wider range of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s key priorities.

The Thematic Analysis team provides the Covid-19 taskforce with analytical insight and advice on the economic, societal and behavioural impacts of the pandemic and the measures taken to suppress it. As part of that, the Economy team is central to the assessment of the costs and benefits of covid policies, providing written and in-person briefings to the Prime Minister, Cabinet and senior officials. The team undertakes a blend of its own analysis in direct support of the Prime Minister and leading teams of analysts from across Whitehall to bring the best possible evidence together to support Cabinet decisions.

These roles will be based nationwide, as well as in London and utilise working from home arrangements.

Job description

You will be responsible for the strategic direction of the economic analysis of the team. You will be comfortable in translating policy requirements into defined analytical tasks, appropriately prioritising and overseeing their execution. You will be comfortable working at pace on critical work for senior stakeholders. The role would suit a candidate with the technical expertise to undertake their own economic work as well as collaborating with experts from inside and outside of government to challenge and review the work of others.

Additionally, you will line manage a team of analysts coordinating their workload, acting as a technical expert and supporting their development. You will need to lead that high performing team through dynamic periods of high pace work under uncertainty, contributing to the friendly and supportive culture that runs throughout DGA and the Taskforce.

Responsibilities

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge and understanding of key economic principles and analytical techniques

• Ability to lead, motivate and support a team to deliver high quality work that can inform key policy decisions, at pace.

• A broad range of analytical skills and techniques for drawing insights from data

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including presenting analysis to non-analysts.

• A track record of working closely and collaboratively with policy colleagues and well-developed stakeholder management skills.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be assessed on the following technical skills (as in GES Technical Framework - details below) Application of knowledge Analysis of Data Effective communication There will be a technical exercise at the interview