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About the job
Job summary
Getting the most out of UK trade deals requires an understanding of what's happening with trade and what the drivers are. The EU, Services & Trade Analysis team (ESTA) – a multidisciplinary analytical team – help guide DBT’s strategic thinking on this.
ESTA works across the department and Government to strengthen our understanding of the drivers of trade and the consequences, with a particular focus on trade with Europe. Due to our strong relationships across Whitehall, academia, and external organisations, we are well placed to understand and communicate what is happening with UK trade and investment and influence policy positions across Whitehall. We provide ministers and senior officials with expert analytical advice to inform strategic decision-making.
The multi-disciplinary team is seeking an innovative and highly motivated analyst with strong technical skills and a passion for designing and delivering high quality, creative and highly impactful analysis. This is a high-profile opportunity that will allow the successful candidate to shape cross Whitehall narrative on UK trade and investment. The role is further enhanced by a competitive benefits package, a collaborative working environment, networking opportunities and the scope to develop your personal and professional skills.
The role is in the Policy Analysis and Research team within ESTA. The Policy Analysis and Research team is responsible for developing analysis on how trade and investment are progressing and building an evidence base to inform decisions around maximising the trade and investment opportunities now and in the future.
An inclusive culture is vital to the team and Department; we value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
You must meet the eligibility requirements to become a member of the Government Economic Service (GES) and be willing to undertake the accreditation process as part of your application if you are not already a GES member. More details on eligibility requirements and the accreditation process are provided below.
Job description
In this role, you will deliver analysis and briefings on UK trade with Europe. You will be responsible for advancing the team’s evidence base, working in a collaborative environment to identify and implement best-practice techniques to address key research questions and inform strategy for maximising the opportunities. This will involve descriptive analysis of the latest trends, drivers, and maintaining and developing econometric models to advance the unit’s understanding.
The role involves working across government and engaging with relevant experts on UK-EU trade to support the analysis and understanding of trade flows and trends.
You will play a key role in promoting the values of the team, including role-modelling a diverse and inclusive, open and innovative team culture as well as supporting team well-being within the team. This role includes line management responsibility for one member of staff.
More broadly you will be part of an active and diverse community of analysts within DBT’s analysis group.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- You must be a full member of the Government Economic Service (GES) or be prepared to become a member of the GES via the application process.
- You should be able to demonstrate competency at G7 level for the GES.
- Experienced in economic analysis and modelling with breadth and depth across a range of methods and approaches, including the ability to work with large datasets.
- Capable of applying a range of relevant existing analytical technical and approaches to generate robust insights, and willingness to develop new skills to build personal technical capacity.
- Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to deliver multiple analytical projects (examples could include sectoral or trade policy analysis) and build influential networks with colleagues, customers, and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Capable of analysing quantitative sources to produce reports and presentations and experience of using visualisation techniques that draw out insightful conclusions.
- Able to communicate with impact and present complex findings and key data-driven insights to senior leaders and ministers.
Desirable criteria
- Coding experience – in particular, R or Python programming language.
- Experience in econometric analysis
Personal Attributes & Skills
You will have a willingness to learn and a passion for applying economic theory and data analysis to generate policy-relevant insights.
You will have excellent communication skills and be skilled at distilling complex issues into easily digestible and engaging material that resonates with senior stakeholders – technical and non-technical.
You will enjoy working as part of highly collaborative multidisciplinary team and collaborating across organisational boundaries to tackle analytical challenges with creativity and enthusiasm.
You have a track record of collaborating across organisational boundaries and building effective relationships to enable the delivery of highly impactful analytical projects.
You have the ability and drive to manage and progress the delivery of multiple analytical projects, managing your own time as well as your direct report.
Eligibility Requirements: Government Economic Service (GES) eligibility requirements and accreditation process
Applicants for this role must be able to demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Economist at Grade 7 or be an existing member of the Government Economic Service.
Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the Government Economic Service (GES). Details can be found in the GES Framework (see below). These will be assessed during the selection process, including at both sift of your written application and interview. Applicants who are civil servants but not members of the GES and anyone applying from outside government must be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of the GES, as successful appointment will include membership of the GES.
For applicants applying after more than a couple of years after university who are not an existing member of the Government Economic Service, relevant experience consists of experience working on economic analysis or research including for example in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GES through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your economic experience and skills covering the three components of the GES technical framework.
Applicants without a current GES membership will be considered for accreditation to the GES as part of the recruitment process.
This means you must meet the academic entry requirements for the GES which is:
- have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics.
- have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics.
The GES Technical Framework is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
The assessment of GES technical skills at interview will take the form of a short presentation by the candidate followed by technical economic questions from the interview panel. Areas 1 and 2 of the GES Technical Framework’s core areas of technical competency will be assessed via this candidate presentation and interview panel questions. You will be provided with a question in advance of the interview and asked to prepare a presentation of a specific length addressing this question. Candidates invited to interview will be given full instructions on the presentation being used.
Location preference for the role.
The role will be based in one of DBT’s offices; London, Belfast, Darlington, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Salford or Birmingham. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.
Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in certain circumstances but must be agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role and can only be discussed with successful candidates. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DBT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Effective Communication
- Analysis of Data
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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 1000 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 of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement Only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Hybrid Working
This role is available in seven UK locations and can only be worked from within the UK, not overseas. Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in the office on average. Changes to these working arrangements are available in certain circumstances but must be agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role and can only be discussed with successful candidates. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DBT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
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 is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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
Vetting
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
