Joint Head of the Office of the Chief Economist
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Joint Head of the Office of the Chief Economist
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Join to apply for the Joint Head of the Office of the Chief Economist role at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York
Job Summary
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
This role is to jointly lead Defra’s Office of the Chief Economist. The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) is a team of around twenty economists working on cross-cutting and strategic projects for Defra. The role will be based in Defra’s central, multidisciplinary team, the Analysis and Insight Division (AID). AID has a key, strategic role to play in leading on cross cutting issues and ensuring that high quality analysis is driving Defra’s strategy, policy and ways of delivering, including directly supporting Defra’s Director of Analysis, who is also our Chief Economist. The division also contains expert teams of social researchers and operational researchers, who you will be able to draw on to provide support and input to your work.
You will jointly lead the OCE alongside another G6 economist, but with specific areas of responsibility. These currently include leading the analytical input to Defra’s economic strategy and contribution to the Government’s growth mission, supporting decisions related to organisational change and better understanding Defra’s sub-national expenditure and impact.
Encouraging diverse applicants
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.
Job Description
As the Head of the Office of the Chief Economist, you will be responsible for strategic and cross-cutting analysis across Defra’s portfolio. You will lead a friendly and collaborative team of 7 economists, currently with 4 Grade 7 direct reports. You will also play an active role in the directorate’s senior leadership team, working alongside other G6s to support the Lead Analysts and the Chief Economist.
A major part of the role is to lead the analytical input to Defra’s economic strategy, ensuring that the department plays its full role in the Government’s growth mission. Economic growth is this Government's number one mission, and it's at the heart of everything we do in Defra. We are supporting new infrastructure and development to boost growth, enabling this through modern regulation and planning reform, driving investment in our sectors, and protecting local economies from the threats of floods and animal diseases. Working closely with policy colleagues, as well as analytical colleagues across Defra and other department’s (e.g. DBT, HMT, DSIT) you will build the evidence base to ensure that robust economic analysis underpins the growth work of the department and that the evidence is communicated effectively.
In addition, you will scope and develop the work programme for the OCE to deliver high quality, impactful analysis to support Defra’s strategies, ministerial priorities and cross cutting areas. This currently includes analysis supporting regulatory and organisational change programmes and cross-cutting evidence gathering on sub-national impacts. You will also support the role of the Director of Analysis in assuring departmental analysis meets robust standards, for example as part of the Spending Review. The role includes representing Defra analytical thinking on cross cutting issues in cross-Whitehall forums and with OGDs.
As the Head of the Office of the Chief Economist, you will be responsible for strategic and cross-cutting analysis across Defra’s portfolio. You will lead a friendly and collaborative team of 7 economists, currently with 4 Grade 7 direct reports. You will also play an active role in the directorate’s senior leadership team, working alongside other G6s to support the Lead Analysts and the Chief Economist.
A major part of the role is to lead the analytical input to Defra’s economic strategy, ensuring that the department plays its full role in the Government’s growth mission. Economic growth is this Government's number one mission, and it's at the heart of everything we do in Defra. We are supporting new infrastructure and development to boost growth, enabling this through modern regulation and planning reform, driving investment in our sectors, and protecting local economies from the threats of floods and animal diseases. Working closely with policy colleagues, as well as analytical colleagues across Defra and other department’s (e.g. DBT, HMT, DSIT) you will build the evidence base to ensure that robust economic analysis underpins the growth work of the department and that the evidence is communicated effectively.
In addition, you will scope and develop the work programme for the OCE to deliver high quality, impactful analysis to support Defra’s strategies, ministerial priorities and cross cutting areas. This currently includes analysis supporting regulatory and organisational change programmes and cross-cutting evidence gathering on sub-national impacts. You will also support the role of the Director of Analysis in assuring departmental analysis meets robust standards, for example as part of the Spending Review. The role includes representing Defra analytical thinking on cross cutting issues in cross-Whitehall forums and with OGDs.
Person specification
We are looking for a strong analytical leader with experience of leading teams and complex analytical work programmes and working with a wide range of stakeholders.
The Essential Criteria For The Role Are
Team Leadership: lead and develop a high-performing, inclusive team ensuring appropriate resource and effective prioritisation across the teams as well as focussing on the development and wellbeing of the team.
Strategic leadership: be an active member of the AID senior management team, ensuring that the division is a positive place to work.
Economic strategy analytical lead: working closely with policy colleagues, set the direction for the economic strategy and ensure the work is underpinned by robust analysis. This will involve working closely with analysts across Defra and across government, for example on delivery of the Industrial Strategy White Paper. It may involve commissioning external research to fill identified evidence gaps, for example on green jobs and skills.
Analytical project scoping and delivery: identify and scope future strategic workstreams, putting in place successful delivery plans, including robust quality assurance, and resource to deliver. Ensure that the workstreams have impact through effective engagement and communication across the department.
Skills And Experience
* You must 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.
* You must be a member of the Government Economic Service or be willing to become a member.
You Will Need To Demonstrate Experience Of
* leading teams to deliver analytical workstreams whilst supporting team members’ development and wellbeing and demonstrating inclusive leadership.
* advising senior officials and Ministers and ensuring teams can communicate complex economic analysis and issues clearly and accessibly.
* building and maintaining a strong network of colleagues to achieve progress on shared goals.
* working with other professions to deliver impactful analysis.
* applying sound economic principles and quality assurance processes to ensure robust modelling and analysis.
* and an ability to identify strategic evidence gaps an develop work programmes to successfully address these.
Qualifications
You must hold a minimum 2:1 Undergraduate degree in Economics, or equivalent that has a proven minimum of 50% of Economic credits. Or, a master’s qualification in Economics, or equivalent that has a proven minimum of 50% of Economic credits.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Leadership
* Working Together
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Candidates will be assessed against the GES technical framework. Application of knowledge – level 3
* Candidates will be assessed against the GES technical framework. Analysis of data – level 3
Alongside your salary of £65,430, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £18,955 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Join a world class team and develop your career with us, then the Civil Service is the place for you! You might be wondering, “what’s in it for me”? Take a look below at some of the benefits available to you as a civil servant in Defra.
Learning and Development
Everyone in Defra is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, Defra, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role, while also working with you to connect you with a civil service mentor to help empower you in your new role with the opportunity to benefit from paid for coaching.
Most importantly, we’re keen to invest in you! As a civil servant, you will also have access to Civil Service Learning where you can participate in professional development programmes across a wide spectrum of subjects and professions.
Department Benefits
Technology
We’re a firm believer in agile and flexible working. When you join Defra, we’ll kit you out with a new Windows 10 Laptop, smartphone and rucksack to make sure that you perform your best wherever you are.
Leave
25 days' paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years’ service, in addition to eight public holidays and the King’s Birthday privilege day. We also offer
* competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave;
* study leave for the pursuit of academic studies;
* 3 days paid leave for volunteering per annum;
* 15 days paid leave per year for reservist training; and,
* generous paid sick leave.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Defra loans you a bike for your commute as a tax-free benefit. At the end of the loan period, you have the option to buy the bike, saving 30% of the original cost.
Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan
We offer interest-free season ticket loans, to all Defra employees with more than three months’ service, for purchasing train and bus season tickets, as well as station car parking. For those unable to take advantage of tax-free benefits, we also offer an interest-free bicycle loan to enable the purchase of a bicycle for commuting.
Gym, Social and Sports Activities
Our offices have a range of different onsite facilities, including gym, fitness facilities, games room, showers and cycle storage. There are also a variety of networks and social groups to join. Ask your line manager for more information.
Restaurant and Café Facilities
A range of our offices offer onsite restaurant and café facilities.
Civil Service Benefits
Pension
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package, and you will be given the chance to join one of three different pension plans. You can find more information on the Civil Service Pension on the MyCSP Website at www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
Civil Service Sports Council
The Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) organises a wide choice of activities throughout the UK, from art, gliding, abseiling and orienteering to cabaret weekends and quiz and curry nights. Your CSSC membership will provide you with FREE access to hundreds of national and local sites, in addition to savings at many high street stores, cinemas, restaurants and historic houses.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Application Process
The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.
As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your experience and will be asked to complete:
A CV
A 1000-word personal statement: Referring to the 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please also demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples which cover all four behaviours.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Ensure you have tailored your CV and Personal Statement to the person specification and 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role. We would recommend using the STAR method.
For further information on STAR, you can check out our hints and tips document.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using your Lead Behaviour: Leadership Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sifting is likely to be occur in w/c 9th June with interviews likely to take place approximately 10-14 days later. These dates are indicative only.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be asked to deliver a presentation and will be assessed on technical skills, behaviours, and experience.
Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Key Behaviours For This Role We Will Assess Are
* Leadership
* Working Together
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Communicating and influencing
Interviews are expected to last no longer than 60 Minutes.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance 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-Employment.C stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
* Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Internal Fraud Database Check
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 had their employment continued. Any applicant’s 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.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
Job offers are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
If you are successful at interview all of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
* Name : Strategy, People and Resourcing
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Other
* Industries
Government Administration
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