HEO Trade Analyst – EU and International Trade

The EU and International Trade Directorate is responsible for delivering the UK’s environmental, climate change, food, farming, fisheries and biosecurity objectives through trade. We do this by representing Defra’s interests in the UK’s trade agreements and at the World Trade Organization. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to apply your analytical skills to trade policy.

In this role you will conduct quantitative analysis using trade and commodity data, undertake qualitative research, and draw on the theoretical principles of international trade to put your findings into context. Our work is varied and interesting and you’ll often find yourself tackling unfamiliar problems, so you’ll need a positive approach and a willingness to collaborate with other analysts. You’ll also work closely with policy colleagues to ensure your analysis achieves maximum impact in a policy area that receives significant ministerial interest and external scrutiny. The unique combination of technical analysis, policy influence and managing complex projects provides ample development opportunities in the role.

We are a friendly team who take care to create a welcoming and supportive environment for colleagues from a wide range of socioeconomic, professional and educational backgrounds. We put a particular focus on learning and development, and we support each other to overcome challenges, learn new skills and improve policy outcomes. We work proactively with the rest of Defra and other government departments to influence and deliver positive outcomes.

Analysts in our team belong to one of four Government analytical professions: Government Economic Service, Government Statistician Group, Government Operational Research Service or Government Social Research Group. Colleagues who are already a member of one of these professions are welcome to apply. We also welcome applications from “unbadged analysts” who need not initially be a member of one of these professions. You will need to hold the relevant qualifications (see Essential Qualifications), but you will not be required to pass a badging assessment at interview. Instead, the “unbadged analyst” role will allow you to further develop your analytical skills, thereby providing a stepping stone into one of the Government analytical professions. You will receive support in preparing for badging assessments, which you will be required to pass within 2 years of your start date (adjusted for part-time employees); if after 2 years you have not passed a badging assessment, you would potentially be subject to Defra’s Restructuring, Redeployment and Redundancy policy, and may be redeployed to a non-analytical role.

The responsibilities related to this role are as follows:

• You will need to develop an understanding of international trade, UK agriculture, food production, and the environment, which you will apply in your day-to-day work. However, you do not need any prior experience in these work areas to excel in the role.
• You will compile and manipulate trade data in Excel or R, analysing data from a range of sources to provide insight about a particular commodity or trading partner. You don’t need to be a spreadsheet pro or R expert from day one, as training will be provided; however, you’ll need to be willing to learn and persevere when things get tough.
• You will undertake desk research and literature reviews on topics in international trade.
• You’ll need to summarise your results and present your findings to a range of customers, both verbally and in writing, so an interest in developing your presentation and written briefing skills is essential.
• It will be important to apply relevant quality assurance standards to your work, and you’ll also be expected to support colleagues by undertaking quality assurance checks on their analysis.
• Sometimes you will need to respond quickly to requests from policy and negotiations colleagues for data and analysis, so you should be enthusiastic about developing skills to deliver analytical projects at pace.
• You will have the opportunity to co-ordinate analysis on a particular free trade agreement.
• You’ll be working with analysts and policy colleagues across Defra and other government departments to agree analytical approaches and scrutinise each others’ findings.
• You’ll be expected to be proactive in your professional development, look for new ways to develop yourself and, if not already a member, work towards badging in an analytical profession.

Essential qualifications

If you are not already a member of a Government Analytical profession, you must meet the qualification criteria for your chosen profession. You must already hold the required qualification; we cannot accept applications if you are still studying or awaiting the outcome of your degree. Please ensure this is fully detailed in the CV section of the application, including the degree subject, classification and, if you are applying via the “other numerate degrees” route, sufficient detail of the relevant modules and number of credits earned. Failure to provide this information will result in your application being deemed ineligible.

Government Economist Service (GES) – 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 and you must have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics. If you graduated more than five years ago then you must have examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge.

Government Operational Research Service (GORS) – To apply you must meet the Government Operational Research Service educational requirement – You must possess a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification. Highly numerate degrees include: Astrophysics, Data Science, Decision Science, Econometrics, Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physics and Statistics. Other numerate degrees, such as Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Geography, IT, Management, Management Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences and Systems Science, may be accepted if 50% or more of the modules are considered highly numerate.

Government Statistical Service (GSS) – (i) A first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography, Data Science or similar); OR (ii) A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Data Science, Psychology, Geography or similar); OR (iii) Have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a CPD Log Book) in statistics/data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5); OR, (iv) Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data analysis (via a CPD log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession).

Government Social Research (GSR) – (i) relevant Qualification route: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 which must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research; OR (ii) Professional Experience route: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.

Applicants who are not already a member of a Government analytical profession may be required to provide further supporting evidence against the above requirements during the selection process.

Within 2 years of your start date (pro rata for part time employees) you will need to have achieved badged membership of the Government Economic Service, Government Statistician Group, Government Operational Research Service or Government Social Research Group. If you do not pass a badging assessment within this time frame, you would potentially be subject to Defra’s Restructuring, Redeployment and Redundancy policy, and may be redeployed to a non-analytical role.

At your application, you’ll be asked to confirm which analytical profession (Economics, Operational Research, Statistics or Social Research) you would like to be assessed as at interview and if you are an existing member of the corresponding Government analytical profession.

The relevant professional competency framework (for HEO) will be used to assess technical competence at interview:

Technical frameworks for analytical professions:

Government Operational Research Service ( GORS): GORS: Home – OR competencies (operational-research.gov.uk)

Government Economic Service: 20221121_-_GES_Technical_Framework_-_Dasgupta.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Government Social Research: The Government Social Research Technical Framework – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Government Statistician Group (GSG): Competency framework for the GSG – Government Analysis Function (civilservice.gov.uk)

Essential Experience

For this role candidates will need to demonstrate the following essential experience:

• You will need some experience using Excel or a programming language to manipulate datasets, such as joining datasets together, creating summary tables, using formulas and creating charts.
• We’re looking for someone who is able to present information in a logical way and draw out conclusions.
• You will need to be able to explain analytical results both verbally and in writing.
• You should be comfortable working to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a good quality of work.
• You should be enthusiastic about building relationships and able to work effectively with others to deliver successful outcomes.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please confirm which analytical profession (Economics, Operational Research, Social Research or Statistics) you would like to be assessed as at interview and if you are an existing member of the corresponding Government analytical profession
• The relevant professional competency framework (for HEO) will be used to assess technical competence at interview:

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Please confirm which analytical profession (Economics, Operational Research, Social Research or Statistics) you would like to be assessed as at interview and if you are an existing member of the corresponding Government analytical profession

Diversity and Inclusion

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer – we champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. We expect active participation from all our staff in creating an inclusive and welcoming culture.

We welcome applications from recent graduates as well as those looking for a career change or a move into the public sector, those who have been out of the labour market for a while, and those who may want to build a bit of confidence or experience before applying to join a Government analytical profession. We also welcome applications from existing civil servants working in non-analytical roles who have an interest in becoming an analyst. Whatever your background or experience, if you have a passion for analysis and are keen to develop we would love you to apply.

Application guidance drop-in sessions

We will be running two Civil Service Jobs Application and Interview Guidance sessions presented by one of our Deputy Directors or Senior Analysts.

These sessions will be on Microsoft Teams. If you would like to join us, please use the links below:

14th September 9:30-10:30

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 383 369 658 345
Passcode: uBBzHL

Download Teams , Join on the web

19th September 11:00-12:00

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 342 345 939 779
Passcode: cshhWz

Download Teams , Join on the web

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%

Learning and Development

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to develop and enhance your analytical skills and gain real experience of applying them to trade policy. You will receive support and coaching from a friendly multi-disciplinary analytical team; if you are currently unbadged this will include personalised support for you on your journey to become a badged Government analyst.

Our directorate also places a huge emphasis on Learning and Development. You are encouraged to attend (and later deliver) internal induction and training sessions to increase your knowledge and skills. This is in addition to a dedicated Learning and Development budget, which allows all colleagues to access a wide range of external learning opportunities.

Blended Working

Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs.  There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.

Job contact :

• Name : Jamie Crichton
• Email : jamie.crichton@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk