Assistant Economist

About the Group

Economics Group

The Economics Group leads HM Treasury’s analysis of developments in the UK economy and advises ministers on the implications for the Government’s economic strategy. It provides expert economic analysis and advice for Ministers. The Group’s data hub is transforming how the Treasury uses data across its entire business. The Group collaborates with external experts on the UK economy, including the Bank of England, Office for Budget Responsibility and leading academics. Economics Group provides support for the UK Government’s economics and social research professions, including running centralised recruitment and the annual conferences.

About the Team

The Labour Markets, Human Capital, Supply and Regions (LHSR) team is at the centre of the Treasury’s function as an economics Ministry, providing economic analysis, briefing and policy advice on key trends in the UK economy. We lead analysis of the latest developments in supply, labour markets, population, regions and human capital, and deliver high-quality analysis to inform policy advice. The team works flexibly across branches and priorities. We are a friendly, inclusive and supportive team, and work closely and collaboratively with colleagues across the department and across government.

The team leads on:

Providing our latest assessment of supply potential, labour market, population, regions and human capital, drawing on the range of new indicators and established sources to provide regular assessments of the conjuncture and the outlook for supply
Delivering high-quality analysis to shape the direction of the Government’s strategy on levelling-up, human capital and labour market interventions, working collaboratively with policy teams and the external community
Lead the Group’s analysis of structural change, overseeing the assessment of the impact of long-term structural forces on the composition and size of the economy
Deliver the latest analysis of migration and population, including the impact of the pandemic on migration and macroeconomic assessment of underlying drivers
Work closely with the ONS and other institutions to identify and drive forward improvements in statistics on regions, labour market, population and human capital
This post sits in the Human Capital and Migration branch. The branch is currently comprised of one Range E2, one Range E, and one Range D (this post).

We are a friendly team and flexible working practices are encouraged. Please do feel free to discuss this with the recruiting line manager. We encourage applications from candidates who may have less experience in some of the required criteria – but are curious and willing to develop their understanding. Gaps can be developed on-the-job and training can be made available.

About the Job

This high-profile and influential role offers the opportunity to bring insightful economic analysis to bear on some of the most important policy decisions at a crucial time for UK economy policy. The post holder will lead and deliver high quality analytical work, working closely with other economists and policy colleagues. As well as strong economics skills, the posts also require someone with inclusive management skills, as well as excellent collaboration and team working skills. The posts also provide the opportunity to shape the direction of economic analysis and build excellent stakeholder relationships both within and outside of the department and government.

Core responsibilities include:

1. Lead on monitoring and assessing migration and human capital evidence to inform the Treasury’s view. This will involve drawing on traditional and novel data sources and ensuring ministers and senior official are kept up to date on the developments in this area.

2. Contributing to a forward programme of high quality migration and human capital analysis. The post holders will be responsible for delivering and overseeing projects and ensuring key issues are communicated in a timely way to senior officials and Ministers.

3. Building strong partnerships as you work across a wide array of interested groups to identify and disseminate insightful analysis which supports the department’s strategic objectives. This will include leading the Group’s engagement with external stakeholders on human capital and migration issues, including the ONS, OBR, other government departments, think tanks and academics.

4. Working closely with policy colleagues to provide expert advice as policy interventions are developed, based on empirical and theoretical evidence.

5. Contributing to and helping deliver the corporate and strategic objectives of the team and Group.

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Xiaoyu Kock (Xiaoyu.Kock@hmtreasury.gov.uk)