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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Economist
Social Research
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About the job
Job summary
Thank you for your interest in joining the Consumer & Competition Policy Directorate in the Department for Business and Trade. We are very glad to see that you are considering our Directorate for your next step in your career. We offer challenging, interesting and fulfilling career opportunities.
The Department for Business and Trade is a great place to work people are enabled and supported to perform to their best and the culture is energetic, collaborative, kind and inclusive with excellent flexible working.
The Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate is at the heart of the Governments growth agenda. What we do affects businesses, consumers and the overall economy. Getting it right is therefore critically important and we pride ourselves on the quality of our analysis providing the basis for our policy advice and our project delivery.
The Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate in DBT aims to create competitive markets that benefit consumers and businesses. The Directorate aims to be evidence-driven, engaged, collaborative, innovative and influential. We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Directorate has four teams: Competition Policy; Consumer Policy, Subsidy Control; and Analysis, Corporate Support and Digital Markets, where this role sits.
The Head of Consumer & Competition Analysis will lead a team of c.10 analysts, leading the Directorates research, appraisal and evaluation work and ensuring the analytical underpinning of all the Directorates work is robust.
Job description
The jobholder will lead the analytical strategy for the directorate and lead analytical input into consumer and competition policy issues across the directorate. The team consists of c.10 analysts, currently mainly from the Government Economic Service.
The team carries out a wide variety of work, working closely with policy team. This includes, building the evidence base through procuring primary research to use as a springboard for policy-making, carrying out appraisal (including delivering Impact Assessments) to inform policy design, and undertaking monitoring and evaluation of policy to learn lessons for the future.
Notable examples of recent work include:
- Research procured to understand the prevalence and impact of online fake reviews.
- Delivery of impact assessments to support the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers bill to understand the impact of reforms to address subscription traps and changes to merger control.
The team works closely with other areas of DBT including the Central Analysis Team and the Departments Chief Analyst and with other government departments including No 10, HMT and DSIT. It also has good links with key stakeholders such as the CMA, consumer organisations such as Citizens Advice and Which?, and academia.
Responsibilities include:
- Working collaboratively with the CCP policy teams and senior leadership team to ensure that CCP policy advice is evidence-based, rigorous and founded on sound analysis.
- Managing a programme of externally delivered analytical projects, ensuring that outputs are delivered to time, provide value for money, and maximise impact on strategic thinking, horizon scanning, and policy development, delivery and evaluation.
- Providing analytical thought leadership to ensure the delivery of high quality, influential analysis.
- Building capability within the team to deliver its objectives, and enhancing its reputation as a centre of expertise on consumer, competition and subsidy control policy analysis as well as building capability and understanding of analysis within the wider directorate and beyond.
- Contributing to the Department for Business and Trade senior analytical community to maintain analytical excellence and optimal Department-wide collaboration and processes.
Person specification
- An inspiring, confident and engaged leader, able to motivate and engage a team to deliver high quality outputs at pace and to build the teams capability and confidence.
- Excellent evidence-based analytical skills, with experience of applying economic concepts rigorously to underpin sound policy development.
- Highly developed collaboration and communication skills, able to work effectively with colleagues from different professions and perspectives and to ensure analysis is embedded at every stage of the policy-making cycle from strategic thinking to delivery to monitoring & evaluation.
- Strong track record of delivery, with experience of leading on challenging projects with tight deadlines.
Candidates are expected to be familiar with economic concepts related to competition and consumer policy, and a strong economic background is desirable.
The successful candidate will need to be or become a member of a government analytical profession: the Government Economic Service, Government Social Research, the Government Statistical Service or the Government Operational Research Service. The requirements for each of these professions is set out below:
Government Economic Service
Economists must have a First or 2:1 Honours Bachelors degree (or international equivalent) with at least 50 per cent of economics in the two final years (or equivalent); or a Post Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) or a Masters degree in economics, including a substantial amount of taught macro and microeconomics. You must also demonstrate substantial proven competence in applied economics as a professional economist.
Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the Government Economic Service (GES). Details can be found in the GES Framework.
Government Social Research
Social Research Expertise via a relevant qualification OR work experience:
- Relevant Qualification route: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2. The degree 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
- 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. Social research practice experience consists of 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.
In advance of the interview, if you are not an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, you will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written knowledge test. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MSTeams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge of social research and statistical methods.
In the interview, we will also assess your technical social research skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared research topic which will be given to you in advance, for up to 10 minutes. An additional technical question will also be asked as part of the interview.
All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GSR profession set out in the GSR framework a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
Government Social Research (GSR) Technical Expertise Framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
Government Statistical Service
Applicants from the GSS profession should show knowledge and experience of using statistical techniques to inform policy and/or decision making; have experience working on analytical projects and delivering solutions; and be able to clearly communicate findings from analysis.
Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) will be required to do an online statistical test and a dissemination exercise as part of the application process to join the GSG.
Candidates should have one of the following:
- A first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar).
- A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar).
- Have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a CPD Log Book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5).
- Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics or data analysis (via a CPD log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession).
Please note – candidates may apply in their final year of study whilst they are still awaiting their qualification result, however, formal contracts can only be offered upon confirmation of the achievement of the relevant qualification. In the case of an apprenticeship, this includes completing 2 years work experience in a statistical/data analysis field in government as part of attaining the qualification.
Government Operational Research
- 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.
You will be required to give a presentation at the interview, with the details of the presentation provided after the initial sift stage. In the interview, we will also assess you against the technical competency elements of the GORS Competencies:
http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/competencies/
- Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques
- Achieving impact with analysis
- Sustaining and developing operational research
Qualifications
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- The successful candidate will need to be or become a member of a government analytical profession: the Government Economics Service, Government Social Research, the Government Statistical Service or the Government Operational Research Service.
Technica
Benefits
£16,889 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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%
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
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.
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.
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 explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
If you are offered an interview, you will be asked to give a short (5-7 minute) presentation. You will receive further details for the presentation prior to the interview to prepare.
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.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
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.
Security and vetting
All successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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
Please note the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Matilda Curtis
- Email : Matilda.curtis2@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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
