Details
Reference number
403243
Salary
£47,456 National minimum - £47,456
London minimum - £51,137 A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DFE - Strategy Group - Central Research and Analysis Division
Type of role
Economist
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
3
Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
London (SW1P 3BT), Sheffield (S1 2FJ), Manchester (M1 2WD), Darlington (DL1 5QE)
About the job
Job summary
We are seeking three professional economists to become a member of the Government Economic Service (GES).
GES Economists operate across the whole UK Civil Service in a broad range of diverse areas. As a badged member of the GES you will have the opportunity to make a difference to government policy. Applying a broad range of economic approaches, and methods you will have the opportunity to influence policy development, fill gaps in the evidence base and undertake technical analysis of large complex datasets.
The DfE’s Central Analysis and Research Division (CARD) is made up of a range of mixed analytical teams operating in a highly collaborative and open way. The division reports directly to the Chief Analyst in DfE and is tasked to develop high quality analysis and research to support policy across the department, often with ministerial or senior sponsors.
The postholders will be responsible for independently scoping and delivering new economic research, regularly drawing on DfE’s broad and rich administrative datasets to inform policy development across all areas of DfE policy. These projects will be varied and provide the opportunity to work on high-profile projects across a diverse range of DfE areas and enable the postholder to develop and apply a wide range of analytical and policy skills. Some analysis will need to be produced at pace to short timescales while other projects will be delivered over a longer period.
The roles may require the use of a range of ground-breaking linked datasets such as Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO), a matched administrative dataset linking education and labour market outcomes; Pupil and Parent Matched Dataset (PPMD) which links household income to pupils; and the Education and Child Health Insights from Linked Data (ECHILD), which links to NHS records. The role may involve the publication of new analysis, depending on the specific project. The roles may also involve supporting and refining the department’s approach to value for money analysis, including supporting economists in DfE to conduct effective economic appraisals and maintain high standards.
Examples of recent economic research projects undertaken within CARD include the governments first analysis quantifying intergenerational income mobility, recently published research on the daily cost of absence from school, analysis on the educational impact of participating in student exchange programmes and a disaggregation of the predictors of school occupancy levels.
Job description
Job Responsibilities:
- Working independently with strategy and policy colleagues to scope analytical projects, identifying priority research questions to add most value and maximise impact.
- Producing novel econometric analysis to support ministerial priorities, utilising large datasets in a new and innovative way.
- Delivering projects at pace from the start to a defined end point in an agile way, to agreed timescales.
- Liaising with and influencing senior policy colleagues, and confidently representing the analytical perspective amongst a range of stakeholders.
- Engaging with analysts across the Department to understand the existing evidence base and assure new analysis.
We are looking specifically for excellent problem-solvers who have the ability to quickly get up to speed with novel, challenging and strategic policy issues, understand the broader context of their work; and scope and deliver new economic analysis to address key departmental priorities. These roles will require candidates with strong quantitative analysis experience plus the desire and ability to learn and apply new techniques and approaches quickly will be equally important.
The depth of the technical challenge and high-profile nature of this work is suited to those with an inquisitive mind set who are seeking an intellectual challenge and feel strongly that analysis should be of the highest standard.
Minimum eligibility requirements for the Government Economic Service
This post is open to anyone who has the right skills and experience whether or not you’re already a member of one of the Government’s analytical professions. Given the nature of the work and the highly quantitative nature of this role, the selection process will include assessment to become a member of the Government Economic Service (GES). Candidates will need to meet the SEO criteria set out in the attached GES competency framework.
The GES is one of the Civil Service Professions and is the professional body for economists in the UK public sector. The GES encourages the good use of economics in government and maintains high standards of entry. To take up an economist post in a government department you must be a member of the GES.
Applicants for this role must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the GES. Applicants will need:
a first or upper second-class (2:1) honours degree with at least 50% of the modules in economics; or
a postgraduate degree in economics.
Modules must have covered both macro and microeconomics.
If you graduated more than five years ago then you must be able to provide examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge.
If you are not able to demonstrate that you meet these eligibility requirements, your application won’t be taken forward.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Experience working independently to scope and lead economic research projects, taking account of the bigger picture and strategic context to address evidence gaps.
- Very strong data and econometrics skills, with experience delivering impactful economic research to inform strategy or policy development.
- Experience using R, SQL, or other statistical software. Training will be available for the postholders to bolster these skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to draw out a compelling narrative from complex analysis to persuasively present implications to senior stakeholders, including non-analysts, to inform policy decisions.
- Excellent project management skills, with a track-record of delivering complex analysis at pace, managing risks and working in an agile way to deliver high quality outputs.
Qualifications
Minimum eligibility requirements for the Government Economic Service
This post is open to anyone who has the right skills and experience whether or not you’re already a member of one of the Government’s analytical professions. Given the nature of the work and the highly quantitative nature of this role, the selection process will include assessment to become a member of the Government Economic Service (GES). Candidates will need to meet the SEO criteria set out in the attached GES competency framework.
The GES is one of the Civil Service Professions and is the professional body for economists in the UK public sector. The GES encourages the good use of economics in government and maintains high standards of entry. To take up an economist post in a government department you must be a member of the GES.
Applicants for this role must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the GES. Applicants will need:
a first or upper second-class (2:1) honours degree with at least 50% of the modules in economics; or
a postgraduate degree in economics.
Modules must have covered both macro and microeconomics.
If you graduated more than five years ago then you must be able to provide examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge.
If you are not able to demonstrate that you meet these eligibility requirements, your application won’t be taken forward.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Application of Knowledge
- Analysis of Data
- Effective Communication
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £47,456, Department for Education contributes £13,748 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Application form
To apply for this role, you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability (statement max word count 1000 words).
We will use your CV and statement to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.
We’ll also use the information provided to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for membership of Government Economic Service.
Assessment at application stage will be based on your CV and Statement of Suitability.
In cases where there is a high number of applications the sift pass mark may be adjusted
Interview stage
At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria listed above.
At interview you will be asked questions around the behaviours listed in the advert.
At interview you will be asked questions around the technical skills listed in the advert.
The interview stage will be split into 3 parts:
- Presentation - You will also be asked to prepare a short presentation to assess your technical skills. The topic and further details will be sent to applicants if invited to interview.
- Technical skills for an SEO government economist - You will be assessed against the Government Economic Service technical framework at Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grade. This will include questions on your skills and experience, and could cover any aspect of the technical framework:
- Application of knowledge
- Analysis of data
- Effective communication
- Behaviours - Seeing the Big Picture and Delivering at Pace.
Other Information
In your application, please don’t include personal information that identifies you.
This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment .
Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:
- name/title
- educational institutions
- age
- gender
- email address
- postal address
- phone number
- nationality/immigration status
We understand that you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own.
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
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 had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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 interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Please refer to the attached ‘Reasonable Adjustments Guide 2025 – accessible version’ at the bottom of the advert, for further information.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
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)
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 . 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Will Walker
- Email : William.walker@education.gov.uk
- Telephone : 070803540204
Recruitment team
- Email : Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk
Further information
The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages
