Length of employment:
Job Summary:
Take on a rare opportunity to shape the future of regulatory and competition economics at the heart of Britain's transition to a fairer, greener energy system. Ofgem is looking for a Senior Economist to join our Office of Research and Economics, using your expertise to analyse and apply competition economics to shape a fair, innovative, and sustainable energy system.
Ofgem is Great Britain's independent energy regulator. We're at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving towards Net Zero while protecting energy consumers, especially those in vulnerable circumstances.
You will have the chance to take the lead on complex projects, assess and interpret evidence to support strategic decision-making, and provide expert guidance to colleagues across Ofgem. You'll also help shape analytical best practice and champion innovative approaches to competition analysis, making a real impact on our industry and competition within the market as a whole.
We're looking for candidates with experience in the economic analysis of markets, particularly those who have contributed to or led economic analysis of markets. You should have a strong track record of managing and delivering robust economic analysis, interpreting complex evidence, and influencing regulatory or policy outcomes. A background in economics is expected, but your practical experience, strategic insight, and ability to drive impact will be key.
You'll be part of a vibrant, inclusive analytical profession that supports your development and gives you the flexibility to work across a wide range of impactful projects. We offer a culture where collaboration and diverse perspectives are valued, and where you'll have access to professional development opportunities, as well as hybrid working and a comprehensive benefits package.
We have multiple Senior Economist opportunities available across various specialisms, and this is a fantastic opportunity to lead and contribute to cross-cutting regulatory projects focusing on competition economics. You will work as part of Ofgem's strong economic community, advising on policy interventions, supporting enforcement cases, and influencing outcomes that have a national impact.
If you would like to be considered for more than one of the vacancies, please submit a separate application for each position.
We have a critical purpose to drive strategic improvements across our regulatory and operational functions. By joining us, you'll play a key role in delivering change that supports a fair, innovative, and decarbonised energy system, ensuring better outcomes for consumers and the industry alike.
Job Description:
Key Responsibilities
* Undertake robust quantitative and qualitative analysis informing sound advice on key policy decisions.
* Assess the reliability of evidence, including that gathered by more junior team members and give objective advice.
* Provide clear and concise drafting for external and internal audiences, including contributions to briefings, internal decision documents, and consultations. Ensure robust project management and quality assurance processes are in place to deliver high-quality and timely behavioural science and research outputs.
* Ensure effective project planning and timely delivery of outputs.
* Constructive working relationships established with internal and external stakeholders.
* Work collaboratively across team boundaries.
Key Outputs and Deliverables
* Application of technical expertise in competition economics to carry out market studies, competition enforcement cases and provide robust recommendations.
* Provision of expertise to individuals and projects to ensure that competition economics considerations are applied appropriately and effectively, providing guidance and support staff to consider new and innovative methods.
* Responsible for planning and managing the delivery of the economic analysis on projects or workstreams. Provide a detailed specification of the economic analysis to be undertaken and agree timetables for delivery. Monitor progress and review the work plan as the case develops; and ensure that the economic analysis is delivered on time.
* Embed economic analysis in Ofgem's policy and decision-making processes, working effectively with other analytical and policy functions.
* Ensure that the economic analysis is delivered to a high standard. Critically assess and interpret the evidence available and the weight that can be attached to it; identify economic risks and propose mitigations for them. Present the analysis clearly and accurately both orally and in writing.
* Work in close partnership with the other technical experts to ensure a coherent work programme that supports delivery of stronger analytical best practice, standards and building of expertise.
* Represent Ofgem at external events, conferences etc to showcase Ofgem's work in this area and help shape the debate on regulatory economics to help increase our reputation as a leader in the field.
* Contributing to other strategic and reactive work undertaken by the team as it arises.
Key Stakeholder Relationships
Internal
* Workstream, Team managers and Portfolio Managers.
* Other experts/technical specialists.
* Head of Professions
External
* Other Government Departments
* Other Regulators
* Regulator counterparts, consultants, academia, and think tanks (as appropriate).
* Energy Sector
Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.
ESSENTIAL:
* Qualifications: Post-graduate degree or undergraduate degree in economics. (LEAD)
* Experience: Practical work experience in the economic analysis of markets or quantitative economics, preferably with some direct exposure to competition assessment (LEAD)
* Analytical skills: Experience of the design, development, management and timely delivery of economic analysis.
* Evidence synthesis and communication:Ability to distil complex subject matter into relevant messages for different audiences - both orally and in writing, combined with excellent drafting skills.
* Stakeholder engagement: Skilled at developing strategic relationships and working collaboratively across a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels to shape the debate.
DESIRABLE:
* Sector knowledge: a sound understanding of the principles of economic regulation, supported by understanding of the commercial and regulatory frameworks governing the operation of electricity and gas markets.
* Managing and mentoring. Experience managing or mentoring less experienced researchers.
When you press the 'Apply now' button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.
You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word 'personal statement' evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential and desirable skills and capabilities.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Ofgem takes any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [ https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn ].