Government Economic Service Fast Stream 2021 Job Descriptions - Gov.uk
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Government
Economic
Service
Fast Stream 2021
Job Descriptions
1Contents
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) ............................ 3
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ............................... 5
Department for Transport (DfT) ........................................................................... 9
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) .......................................................11
Food Standards Agency (FSA) ............................................................................13
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) .....................................................15
Home Office (HO) ...............................................................................................17
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)....................19
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) .....................................................................................21
Scottish Government (SG)...................................................................................23
2Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(BEIS)
Locations: London
Number of positions available: 10
About BEIS
BEIS is a truly great Department to work in. It has one of the widest remits in
Whitehall and has a key role to play in making markets work well for business,
consumers and workers. Our work ensures that the economy grows strongly in
all parts of the country, based on a robust industrial strategy and that the UK
has secure energy supplies that are reliable, affordable and clean.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
There are a wide range of opportunities for Assistant Economists. Some of the
policy questions AEs will be involved in answering include:
• How will increasing the national minimum wage impact businesses,
workers and wider society?
• We have an oligopolistic energy market where there are a handful of
small energy providers, which often leads to the poorest paying the
most for their energy. What can we do to prevent this inequitable
outcome?
• What are the routes to achieving Net-Zero carbon by 2050 and what
steps need to take place for this to be achieved?
BEIS Economist Community
BEIS has one of the largest analytical communities across government, with a
vibrant workforce of over 600 analysts, BEIS is also the largest employer of
economist across Whitehall. Our people understand, analyse and solve some
of the greatest challenges we face today.
Learning and Development Opportunities
• You will have the opportunity to take part in rotations within
department every 12 to 18 months and there is also the possibility of
undertaking some line management responsibility
3• AEs in BEIS can benefit from supported access to Master’s qualifications
and a comprehensive 9-month leadership programme to help ensure
readiness for progression
• BEIS offers a varied L&D programme for AEs, focused on expanding
technical skills and experience. AEs will be given the chance to benefit
from a varied technical and non-technical training programme that runs
all year round.
Locations
Our posts are based in London.
Further Information
For further information on working as an Assistant Economist in BEIS, please
contact the Analysis Professional Support and Development Team on
AnalystsProfessionalSupport@beis.gov.uk
4Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Locations: London, Bristol and York.
Salary: £29,000 plus a master’s allowance of £2,500 per annum
About Defra
In Defra, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s
lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural
economy, the food and farming sectors (which together make up around 7% of
the UK economy) and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide
range of natural threats and hazards. You will play an important role in
achieving our vision of ‘creating a great place for living’.
This is a particularly exciting time to join Defra. We are one of the lead
Departments in delivering a successful exit from the EU. With over a thousand
pieces of EU and national legislation identified as Defra-owned and
underpinning 80% of our work, we have an unparalleled opportunity to devise
policies that best meet the future needs of the UK.
Our vision is to create a great place for living for people in this country. We
have four impact objectives which explain our ambitious long- term strategic
aims, and the positive differences we will make to the UK:
• To deliver a safe and ambitious departure from the EU, setting global
standards in protecting and harnessing value from the natural environment
• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and
enhanced for the future
• To lead the world in food and farming with a sustainable model of food
production
• To become an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference,
with world class delivery capability
As an organisation, Defra works to:
• Provide excellent delivery, with outstanding value for money to deliver
5outcomes;
• Be an organisation continually striving to be the best, focused on
outcomes and constantly challenging itself;
• Be an inclusive, professional workforce where leaders recognise the
contribution of people and build capacity to deliver better business
outcomes.
We offer an inclusive culture which embraces and supports our colleagues to
achieve and sustain increased levels of employee wellbeing, engagement and
productivity.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
Being an assistant economist in Defra entails working closely with colleagues to
structure policy problems and ensure economic analysis informs decision
making, making best use of available data and evidence. You will work primarily
with an Economic Advisor and wider analysts in developing the evidence base,
drawing from a wide range of expertise, undertaking quality assured economic
appraisal and evaluation, and providing robust analytical advice.
Responsibilities will vary according to post, but could include:
• Conducting and reporting analysis, to ensure policy options are
underpinned by careful synthesis of available evidence and forward-
looking analysis;
• Communicating with and advising policy colleagues on what the latest
evidence and analysis tells you;
• Managing stakeholder engagement, analysing and reporting on outputs;
• Addressing policy needs through development, testing and application of
advanced models.
Defra is looking for assistant economists to work across a range of areas. Our
economists are embedded in teams across Defra, summarised below.
• Analysis and Insights ensures high quality analysis is being produced
across the department to meet priorities and directly delivers key pieces
of cross-cutting work. AID is a central team with branches covering
economics, social research and operational research. AID also updates
6ministers on significant economic developments and leads the economist
profession across the department.
• EU and International trade teams help shape the UK’s future relationship
with the EU from the perspectives of Defra’s objectives and develop
Defra’s positions on relevant international trade issues.
• Future Farming economics helps develop future domestic agricultural
policy for the UK outside the EU. The team sits within the wider evidence
team including statisticians, natural and social scientists and operational
researchers. The evidence team is embedded with policy teams and so is
an integral part of the policy development process.
• Marine and Fisheries teams are developing a new policy framework for
the fishing industry outside of the EU and working to develop systems to
manage the marine environment more sustainably.
• The Natural Environment and Rural System directorate develops policies
around the contribution that land use change and management can make
to wider environmental outcomes, including carbon storage, air quality,
water quality, flood management and nature conservation, and supports
development of the rural economy.
• Environmental Quality develops policies and approaches around activities
that can impact on environmental outcomes, including measures to
improve air quality, regulations on use of chemicals and pesticides and
policies on waste management, many of which will be affected by EU exit.
• The Animal and Plant Health & Welfare (APHW) directorate works to find
the most effective ways to protect the nation from animal and plant
diseases and pests which can have significant impacts on consumers,
industry, the rural economy and livelihoods
• The Better Regulation team seeks to improve the regulatory measures
that Defra is responsible for to achieve strong outcomes whilst reducing
and minimising the burdens on business.
7• The Floods and Water directorate’s work includes refining water
environment regulation (including post-EU exit), economic regulation of
the water utility sector including ongoing market reform, and the costs,
benefits and incentive issues surrounding the management of flood risk.
Defra Economist Community
At Defra you will join a diverse but cohesive group of economists working to
deliver high quality, impactful economics to achieve great outcomes. To
deliver our vision we are working together as a professional group fostering a
strong collective identity to ensure we are impactful, skillful, vibrant as a
community, and connected to the outside world.
Learning and Development Opportunities
You will join a culture where continuous learning is encouraged, and colleagues
are happy to share their expertise. You’ll have the opportunity to work
alongside colleagues from alternative professions such as policy, science,
statistics, operational research and social research, in a rich learning and
policy-making environment. We will also offer you the chance to develop
economic and policy competences through in-work training and other
opportunities, such as economic seminars.
As a fast stream economist, you will have the opportunity to rotate between
Defra and the Department of Transport and the Ministry of Housing,
Community and Local Government after your second year. This will give you
exposure to a range of economist responsibilities and broaden your
professional development.
Further Information
For more information on the Department for Environment, Food & Rural
Affairs see our website
8Department for Transport (DfT)
Location: London
Number of positions available: 10
About DfT
The UK’s transport system is used by most of the population every day,
whether travelling to and from work, school, shops, hospitals, or just meeting
friends and family. Transport is key to supporting the growth of the economy
as the UK exits the EU.
The Department for Transport is investing to make journeys better: simpler,
faster and more reliable. Our policies and regulations support jobs, enable
business growth, and bring our country closer together.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
Our analysis gives ministers fresh ideas about big, complex issues and deep
insight into policy options. We analyse the wide-ranging economic impacts of
transport schemes. We assess the social and environmental benefits and costs,
to get a full picture of the impact of a scheme.
We look ahead at key trends in society, such as population growth or the
number of trips people take, to forecast how demand for transport will change
in the future.
DfT Economist Community
Our roles offer the chance to put your academic knowledge and skills into
practice and gain experience in government economics, in an organisation that
genuinely values sound analytical thinking. There are opportunities to apply
economics expertise to live policy issues, use econometrics, develop cutting-
edge appraisal guidance, use economics to support the development of
transport schemes and comparison of options, and more.
Learning and Development Opportunities
The roles offer high levels of responsibility, with the chance to manage your
own projects. Experienced Assistant Economists often get the chance to
9manage a summer student. Work can be a mix of fast paced analysis and
longer-term projects which aim to build on our evidence base, providing an
ideal opportunity to develop the key analytical skills required for promotion.
You’ll move between posts once a year, to help build your skills and exposure
to a range of economist roles. This includes the chance to work in partner
departments – Defra and MHCLG.
Further Information
For further information contact Kirstie Burgin kirstie.burgin@dft.gov.uk
“I enjoy applying my degree skills to real-world scenarios. Plus, I’ve expanded
my knowledge to new areas like carbon emissions”
10Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Locations: London, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester
Salary: London: £35,000; Outside London: £31,000
Number of
About DWP
The Department for Work and Pensions is the government’s largest public
service department with the biggest annual budget, touching every citizen in
the country at some point in their lives. We have a wide-ranging set of
objectives, including supporting people to enter into, and progress in, work,
and ensuring financial security for current and future pensioners
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
DWP Economists not only focus on theoretical frameworks but more
importantly apply our economics knowledge to real-world problems. We
analyse data, build models, and trial the latest thinking in economic and
behavioural theory, to ensure high-quality evidence is at the forefront of
future policy decisions and as part of implementation and evaluation of any
changes. Particular challenges facing DWP economists now include:
• How can we assess what barriers prevent people with disabilities and/or
health conditions from moving into and progressing in work, and which
interventions are most effective at addressing these barriers?
• How can we create a fair and affordable welfare system which improves
the life chances of children and of adults?
• How can we maximise the opportunities whilst minimising the risks for
the UK labour market from EU Exit?
• How can we ensure a decent income for people of pension age and
promote saving for retirement?
DWP Economist Community
As a DWP economist, you’ll be part of a thriving economist community with a
huge array of economic activities regularly taking place. This ranges from
economist debates, economic events exploring the theoretical economics
behind our policies, seminars on the latest econometric thinking, annual
economist conferences, socials/networking opportunities across all our
11locations, regularly presentation/seminar series (and loads more!). This is
supplemented with accessible support from Grade Managers and Chief
Economist along with opportunities for mentors/buddies to help you get the
most out of your time as an AE in the department.
Learning and Development Opportunities
You will have the opportunity to take part in rotations within department every
12 months. There are also line management opportunities of placement
students/apprentices, software training, technical/professional skill support as
you progress in your role. With the biggest analytical community across
Whitehall and as one of the latest government departments, there are a huge
range of opportunities to work with other analytical professions (including
Statisticians, Social Researchers and Operational Researchers), policymakers,
and operational colleagues to enhance your development.
Further Information
For further information on working as a Fast Stream Assistant Economist in
DWP, please contact the grade manager – Richard Mosley on
Richard.mosley@dwp.gov.uk
12Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Locations: London
About FSA
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-ministerial government department
set up in 2000 by an Act of Parliament to protect the public's health and
consumer interests in relation to food. It has offices across the England, Wales
& Northern Ireland and currently has responsibility for food safety across all
countries with additional responsibility for dietary health in Northern Ireland.
We also maintain a close working relationship with Food Standards Scotland.
The FSA provides advice and information to the public and Government on food
safety from farm to fork. It also protects consumers through effective food
enforcement and monitoring. Its focus is:
• Making sure food is safe and that people are not exposed to
unacceptable risk.
• Making sure food is what it says it is.
• Gathering and using science, evidence and information, getting better at
horizon scanning and anticipating risks.
• Making a significant change to what consumers know about the food
system and empowering them to use that knowledge.
• Using a range of new and existing legislative and non-legislative tools to
influence businesses to do better for consumers.
• Making sure that all of us have the right skills, knowledge and
behaviours and are supported by the right systems, tools and ways of
working to make our best contributions.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
Our economists work on a wide range of topics, providing an economic input to
policy development, cost benefit analysis of regulatory proposals, advice on the
economics of the food chain and research. Recent and current topics include:
• Modelling the cost and burden of foodborne illness and food
hypersensitivity
• Supporting the 2020 Spending Review
• Preparing EU Exit impact briefs
13• Reviewing the Agency’s regulatory regime
• Emerging technologies and food safety regulation
• Trade effects, compliance and regulation
The size of the Agency means that there are excellent opportunities for early
responsibility and the team’s work is extremely diverse, covering a large range
of policies. The Agency is committed to training and economists are provided
with extensive development opportunities.
FSA Economist Community
The FSA has a small team of four London-based economists, working in a
central multi-disciplinary analytical division led by a Grade 6 Head of Analytics
and Chief Economist. The economics team is comprised of one sandwich
placement student (AO), four Assistant Economist (AE) posts at HEO level
(including two fast stream post) and one Senior Assistant Economist (SAE)
posts at SEO level supporting three G7 Economic Advisors. All economists,
including Assistants, are recruited through and are members of the
Government Economic Service (GES).
Learning and Development Opportunities
Assistant Economists have to apply through the central GES fast stream scheme
and Economic Adviser posts are advertised within the GES. We offer
competitive salaries and an additional pay allowance. Assistant Economists pay
starts from £32,350 - £38,427 per annum.
Location
The FSA offers its staff an opportunity to choose a way of working (location
and flexi-hours) that will help them excel while ensuring better work life
balance.
Further Information
For more information about the Agency, see our Website: www.food.gov.uk.
For further information, please contact the chief economist, Vanna Aldin, at
anna.Aldin@food.gov.uk or head of Economics Branch, Nicholas Daniel, at
nicholas.daniel@food.gov.uk.
14Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Locations: London, Manchester and Liverpool
Number of positions available: 11
About HMRC
Tax affects the lives of many people in many ways. HMRC collects over £500
billion to fund public services influencing almost every aspect of the economy
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
• There are many exciting roles for Assistant Economists. Some of the
issues that they influence through their work include:
• How should the government support the labour market during Covid-
19?
• How should the tax system change because of the gig economy?
• How do you forecast tax receipts?
• How can you use behavioural economics to make sure people pay tax?
• How can we use HMRC’s data to understand the effect of BREXIT?
HMRC Economist Community
You will have the support of a community of around 100 economists in HMRC,
including a very active Assistant Economist group and a strong Economics in
the North network. Economists work in cross-disciplinary teams with
statisticians, social researchers and operational researchers so there are over
450 analysts.
Learning and Development Opportunities
We place great emphasis on professional development, including a bespoke
course in post-graduate tax economics with leading academics, frequent
seminars, conferences, and workshops. There is substantial support including
training courses to help you develop communication and management skills;
as well as coaching and guidance from experienced professionals. There is
normally an opportunity to change roles after 12 to 18 months to help you
build your career.
15Locations
If successful, you will provide a preference for which city you would like to be
based in.
Further Information
For further information on working as an Assistant Economist in HMRC, please
contact the grade manager – Katy Peters on katy.peters@hmrc.gov.uk
“In HMRC there is a real opportunity to use analysis to have an impact. Tax
depends on analysis, so our work is central to the decisions that affect millions
of people.”
16Home Office (HO)
Locations: Westminster and Croydon
Number of positions available: 15
About the HO
The Home Office is responsible for leading work to keep the country safe from
those who seek to do it harm. The department’s vision is for a United Kingdom
that is secure and prosperous, where citizens, residents and visitors are safe
and feel safe to go about their lawful business. Analysts mostly sit within Home
Office Analysis and Insight (HOAI), a directorate that brings together analytical
units across the Department into a single community. HOAI’s vision is to be a
centre of excellence for professional analysts, delivering high quality analysis for
the Department whilst also working across areas of technical and subject-
matter expertise and drawing on a range of sources to provide ground-
breaking insights.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
There are a wide range of roles available covering a range of policy areas such
as migration, crime and policing, serious and organised crime and counter
terrorism. Some of the policy questions AE’s are involved in answering include:
• What are the economic costs and benefits of the new single global
migration system?
• What is the cost of the harm caused by illegal migration?
• What is the value of preventing a terror attack?
HO Economist Community
You will join a community of over 100 economists and over 300 analysts from
different professions. Over the course of your time with us you will have the
opportunity to rotate between roles including migration, crime, security, cross
cutting and strategic functions as well as roles in the Ministry of Justice and
Ministry of Defence.
17Learning and Development Opportunities
As part of the community you will have accesses to a wide range of internal
training courses and knowledge sharing to support your development. S-level
promotion opportunities will be available once you have reached 2 years
experience.
Further Information
Contact point for further details: HOEconomists@homeoffice.gov.uk. You will
need to meet the Security Clearance requirements. 5 years of UK residency is
required, in which time you cannot have been abroad for more than 3 months
at any given time.
“The Home Office is a fascinating place to work and develop as a professional
economist. The policy areas we cover are crucial to people’s lives and the
effective functioning of the country. Economists are involved in almost all parts
of the department’s work including the development of the analysis on the
delivery of the single global migration system, the management of the UK
border, understanding the changing nature of crime and a range of activities
across security and counter terrorism” Chief Economist, Tim Laken
18Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(MHCLG)
Locations: London and Birmingham
Salary: £28,000 rising to £33,990 on successful completion of year one.
Number of positions available: 5
About MHCLG
MHCLG aims to help create great places to live and work right across the
country and to back communities to come together and thrive. We strive to:
• Ensure people throughout the country have access to affordable and
high-quality housing;
• Provide opportunities for all parts of the country to thrive economically;
• Build integrated communities; and
• Support effective local government.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
AEs in MHCLG work in a number of exciting and varied policy areas where they
apply economic theories and principles to a range of high priority public policy
issues. Examples of work include providing:
• Economic advice on the housing market, planning policy and key policies
such as Right to Buy;
• Economic analysis on local public service reform and public sector
efficiency including key policies such as the Review of Relative Need and
Resources of local government and business rates retention;
• Economic analysis on homelessness and the high-profile Troubled
Families programme;
• Economic analysis on cities and local economic growth including
Enterprise Zones.
19MHCLG Economist Community
There is a large and vibrant economist community in MHCLG. There are
opportunities for AEs and all analysts to take part in regular in-house economist
debates, attend seminars with a range of different external speakers, an annual
MHCLG economist away day and various social events.
Learning and Development Opportunities
There are a range of learning and development opportunities for AEs in MHCLG,
both with respect to technical, economics-focused learning as well as significant
support for wider development. AEs can expect to benefit from being rotated
after around 12-18 months in post. For fast-stream AEs, MHCLG, the
Department for Transport and the Department for the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs operates a rotations programme. MHCLG also currently offers a
generous Master’s Bursary Programme. During the course of the year there
may also be opportunities for AEs to line or task manage placement students.
Locations
If successful, you will provide a preference for which office you would like to
be based from. We usually give people their first preference, however as
Birmingham is a newly established hub, our ability to offer posts there will be
dependent on the size of the analytical community there at the point of
allocation.
Further Information
For further information on working as an Assistant Economist in MHCLG,
please contact the Head of Profession for Economics in MHCLG – Stephen
Smith on stephen.smith@communities.gov.uk
Successful candidates need to have lived continuously in the UK for the last
three years to pass our security checks.
20Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
Locations: London (Westminster and Canary Wharf), Leeds
Number of positions available: 4
About MoJ
The MoJ has responsibility for all parts of the justice system – the criminal, civil
and family courts, the tribunal system, legal services, legal aid, prisons and
youth offender institutions and probation services. We work to protect the
public, reduce reoffending, support victims, to provide a more effective,
transparent and responsive criminal justice system and to help people their
settle legal disputes promptly, fairly and efficiently.
Assistant Economist (AE) roles
Analysis produced by Assistant Economists in the MoJ informs decision made
by ministers and senior leaders on a range of policy, strategic, financial and
operational issues, such as:
• What are the impacts on the wider justice system, including the prisons
and the probation service, of changing the structure of criminal
sentencing and/or from introducing new offences?
• How do macroeconomic factors and events affect the cost of delivering
the MoJ’s frontline services?
• How might changes to the state benefit system affect the number of
people that make contributions to the Legal Aid Fund when they need to
use legal services financed by the state?
• How should we calculate the compensation payable to the victims of
serious road accidents?
MoJ Economist Community
There are currently around 30 economists working in the MoJ. There are
opportunities to take part in regular in-house economic debates and seminars,
further develop your skills and knowledge via taking part in GES training
courses and seminars and for learning more about the justice system from
visits to courts and prisons.
21Learning and Development Opportunities
Economists in the MoJ work in close collaboration with analysts from the other
professions and with policy, finance and operational colleagues from all parts of
the department. You will also have the opportunity to take part in role rotations
within the department and across the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office
every 12 to 18 months. There will also be opportunities to line manage
placement students and degree apprentices, to undertake software training,
and to access promotion opportunities as you progress in your role.
Locations
Economists in the MoJ are mainly based at Canary Warf in London although
there are opportunities to work at our Westminster offices overlooking St
James Park. We also have an increasing number of staff based in Leeds.
Flexible working is encouraged and you should expect to work from home for
at least two days a week.
Further Information
For further information on working as an Assistant Economist in the MoJ,
please contact the grade manager – Kim Bishop
(Bishop.Trasi.jobshare@justice.gov.uk) - or the Chief Economist Alex Wilks
(Alex.Wilks@Justice.gov.uk)
22Scottish Government (SG)
Locations: Edinburgh and Glasgow
Number of positions available: 3
About SG
The Scottish Government (SG)is responsible for a range of devolved issues
most of which affect Scottish people’s daily lives such as health, education,
justice, rural affairs, housing, finance, energy, and transport.
Assistant (AE) Economist Role
As an Assistant Economist you will provide model economic impacts of new and
existing policies on the economy and businesses economic advice, analysis,
work closely on designing and influencing policies and brief Ministers and
senior colleagues on your work; and design and manage research projects.
SG Economic Community
The Scottish Government Economist community offers opportunities to take
part in internal and external events, allowing networking with economists
from other government departments, public and private bodies.
Learning and Development Opportunities
Due to the range of responsibilities of the Scottish Government you will also
have the opportunity to move roles allowing you to broaden our experience
and expertise in different parts of government towards career progression into
a more senior Economic Adviser position. There are also opportunities to
develop professional and general skills both though formal courses and less
formal ways such as buddying and work shadowing of other analyst and policy
colleagues
In additional to the academic qualifications specified in the advert we are
looking for people with a good grasp of economics, an ability to apply their
economic knowledge to practical problems and communicate it in an
accessible way.
23Further Information
Link to further information about economist careers in the Scottish
Government Economist Group. For further information on working
as a Fast Stream Assistant Economist in the Scottish Government
please contact Sandra Smith: Sandra.smith@gov.scot
“Although I wasn’t sure I would fit into the civil service world, it turns out there’s
more diversity than I expected. In fact, the people are one of the things that make
the job for me. I get to work with really clever and fun people who care about
making a difference to society.”
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