Economist - Analytical Projects Unit

Do you have excellent analytical skills and are looking for an exciting new role with multifaceted and stretching responsibilities? If so, we'd love to hear from you!
The Analytical Projects Unit sits within the Economic Risks team in HM Treasury. We provide analytical expertise and support to critical projects across HM Treasury. Members of the team are deployed on projects covering a range of public policy issues – both influencing HMT ’s macroeconomic policy within Economics Group and building the evidence base for policymaking across other areas. Joining the team is an excellent way of gaining an overview of HMT’s work, building a network, and being involved in high-profile Ministerial priorities.
About the role
While in this role, you will complete projects lasting around 3 months that apply analytical tools and techniques, as well as economic knowledge, to support policymaking in line with Ministerial priorities, often at pace. Previous projects have included:
Providing analysis to support advice on how to best implement Civil Service workforce reductions. Macroeconomic assessment of the UK economy (inflation, investment, labour markets etc.,) Developing a model to analyse the impact of energy policy schemes. During projects, you will be matrix-managed in your day-to-day work by a senior project manager from within your project team. We have well-developed systems for ensuring excellent matrix management, including in a hybrid environment, and ensuring high-quality performance feedback.
Key accountabilities:
You will have line management of one Apprentice Economist with a strong focus on staff development. You will also build positive relationships with the project managers to whom project staff are allocated to ensure excellent day-to-day management and regular feedback is provided.
Integrating in a new team and quickly becoming abreast of the policy area.
Scoping out and planning Analytical Projects, including by identifying the best analytical techniques, the key outputs, and prioritising work streams with the greatest impact to improve HM Treasury’s understanding of an issue and policy advice.
Deliver high quality Analytical Projects at pace working collaboratively with policy teams across HM Treasury and other Government departments. There may also be opportunities to task-manage staff on projects.
Communicate the conclusions of the project to Senior Officials, Ministers, and other partners, influencing the strategic direction of HMT policy.
Representing the team across the organisation, helping to burnish the APU’s reputation as a key part of the HM Treasury architecture which influences policy.
Support wider corporate work of the branch, team and group. For instance, contribute to one of the group’s corporate objectives (which include diversity, inclusion and wellbeing; management excellence; openness, etc.).
About you
Our successful candidate will hold an undergraduate degree in Economics or have equivalent work experience. As such, you’ll be highly numerate with the ability to apply analytical tools and techniques, along with a good understanding of economics, to inform policy decisions. You’ll be able to manage a busy and varied workload, with effective prioritisation to meet short and long term objectives. Lastly, your verbal and written communication will be clear, able to bring technical analysis to life for non-specialists.
About us
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 a stronger organisation, better at developing policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh 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, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.
Some of the Benefits our people love!
25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
Generous parental and adoption leave packages
Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 27%
Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT* network, faith and belief network)
For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk