Senior Economist

The role of Senior Economist is based in the Strategy, Performance, Analytics, Data and Economics (SPADE) Team, which is part of Finance and Business Services, and comprises teams covering corporate data, planning, strategy, delivery and economics. This team is a trusted partner, enabling evidence-based decision-making, assuring delivery and providing quality services so that GDS is able to effectively and efficiently achieve its objectives.

Reporting to the Lead Economist, you will lead analysis that underpins business cases and other documents supporting major organisational decisions. You will provide analytic support to the wider business, such as by assessing the viability of potential projects or evaluating the benefits realisation for existing programmes.

The right person will join a motivated and dynamic multi-disciplined delivery team working to deliver on our commitments. If you want to help government make stronger decisions about digital initiatives, this is the role for you.

As a Senior Economist in GDS, you will:

• use economic tools from the Treasury’s Green Book to assess the ambitions of GDS teams and offer strategic advice on whether their plans are achievable
• build and maintain relationships with people across GDS to guide new initiatives and develop the evidence to support them
• write business cases and impact assessments to underpin business decisions 
• improve the benefits realisation function to evidence the tangible savings and other benefits that GDS delivers for government and the general public
• provide advice on monitoring and evaluation using the Magenta Book, ensuring spending proposals have effective monitoring and evaluation plans embedded and are supported by sensible theory of change models
• develop your skills and act as a subject matter expert on best practice in appraisal and evaluation
• work closely with other members of the SPADE team to understand GDS' performance and strategy, helping it deliver on its long-term missions
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of economics and strategy.

Person specification

We’re interested in people with:

• knowledge of economic principles, such as those in the Green Book, and experience in applying them in practice. 
• an ability to engage widely and successfully on economic issues, such as to gather evidence and apply methodologies
• experience in presenting their work to a group of stakeholders, using both written papers, reports and presentations
• experience in performing high-quality analysis swiftly in a fast-moving, high-profile environment
• experience in planning and prioritising effectively to meet deadlines, able to manage multiple projects/issues to deliver results at pace

Benefits

The benefits of working at GDS

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to Government Digital Service 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

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV. You will also need to answer two application questions based on the person specification. For your application to progress please use specific and personal examples in your response to the application questions.
• An assessment. Comprehensive details will be shared with the shortlisted candidates at a later stage.
• a 45-minute video interview

Whilst we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to answer application questions without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences

In the event we receive a high number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria which is: 

• knowledge of economic principles, such as those in the Green Book, and experience in applying them in practice. 

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example, a phone interview or a technical exercise.

Recruitment Timeline

Every effort will be made to keep to the timeline but where this is not possible dates are subject to change

Role closes - 12th May 2024

Sift - Week commencing 13th May 2024

Panel Interview - Week commencing 20th May 2024

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: 

• seeing the big picture
• communicating and influencing
• managing a quality service

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

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 D&I Strategy.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.