DWP/406/14 Assistant Economist, Ref:1429564 Job Actions •

Apply Now

Downloads Competency Framework Additional Information

Department Department for Work and Pensions Business Area Corporate Centre Number of Jobs Available 25 Location: Region National Location: City/Town Leeds London Sheffield Location: Building/Site Caxton House - London / Rockingham House - Sheffield / Quarry House - Leeds Grade

HEO Type of Role Analytical Economics Job Description This vacancy is open at Stage 4 - External Recruitment. About DWP The work of DWP matters to millions of people every day. We have an ambitious agenda of reform which aims to create a new welfare system for the 21st century; to transform the opportunity for people without jobs to find work and support themselves and their families; save for their retirement and to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are protected.

Analysis in DWP DWP has an excellent reputation for ensuring its work is underpinned by robust evidence and analysis. Economists work flexibly across the organisation, both embedded within policy teams and also working in wider analytical teams to develop the evidence base and to provide analysis that supports key Departmental policies and projects. The DWP analytical community comprises over 450 analysts working in all of the main professions providing support, challenge and advice to colleagues and Ministers right across the Department, its delivery bodies and beyond. Economics in DWP – What you will do: DWP economists carry out economic analysis that influences policy in one of the largest departments in government. The Department’s broad and challenging agenda is rarely out of the newspapers and studied by academic economists from across the globe. There is high profile scrutiny of policies that are underpinned by the work of applied microeconomists in the Department for Work and Pensions. We work on a broad range of areas, for example: • Design of incentives around labour market participation and active labour market policies. • Use of behavioural economics to support pensions reform. • Analysis of the elasticity of labour supply and marginal tax rates in welfare reforms. • Using and developing technical models that forecast spending and outcomes in to the future and show the impact of alternative policies. Our policy appraisals, cost benefit analysis and evaluations are the basis for decisions that affect the lives of the whole population. As a department we hold a wealth of data, our economists use this on a daily basis to analyse for the purposes of producing evidence for policy advice. We are at the forefront of applied economics, developing and using cutting edge models to provide sophisticated analysis to Ministers. Through close links to academic and professional economists we bring together the latest evidence and emerging areas of economic thought to life. The economist community consists of around 100 economists ranging from placement students to the chief analyst and is spread over the hub sites of Leeds, London and Sheffield. DWP have a strong support structure; through mentoring, grade management and supported moves between job roles within the department we aim to ensure all of our economists reach their potential. There is a strong focus on training and continuous professional development is an expectation at all grades. We hold frequent debates both within the department and with economists across government; participation is actively encouraged to enable economists to develop broader understanding of emerging topics.

You will need to demonstrate the Civil Service competencies at level 3 (HEO level) as follows: • Collaborating and Partnering, specifically: - Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes. - Invest time to generate a common focus and genuine team spirit. - Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of the organisation. • Making Effective Decisions, specifically: - Make decisions when they are needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular. - Identify a range of relevant and credible information sources and recognise the need to collect new data when necessary from internal and external sources. - Explore different options outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses to each. • Building Capability for all, specifically: - Identify and address team or individual capability requirements and gaps to deliver current and future work. - Value and respond to different personal needs in the team using these to develop others and promote inclusiveness. - Continually seek and act on feedback to evaluate and improve their own and team’s performance. • Delivering at pace, specifically: - Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard, giving credit to teams and individuals as appropriate. - Plan ahead but reassess workloads and priorities if situations change or people are facing conflicting demands. - Regularly monitor own and team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance. Reserved / Non Reserved post(s) This is a Non Reserved post and is therefore open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals and certain non EEA members What security level is required for this post? Basic check If you are a successful candidate you will be expected to undertake the following level of security check: - Basic Check If you are a successful candidate you will be expected to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security check Working Pattern This/these jobs are available for full-time, part-time or flexible working arrangements (including job share arrangements) Employment Terms: Post Type Fixed Term Length of employment 12 Months Employment Terms: Hours 36/37 hours per week (full time) Benefits Terms and Conditions • Annual leave: 23 days per annum, with 1 privilege day for the Queen’s Birthday. This rises to 25 days per annum after 1 year qualifying service. • Working hours: 42 hours gross, including lunch breaks (National), 41 hours gross, including lunch breaks (London). • Mobility: Successful candidates will be considered geographically mobile.

• Occupational Sick Pay: 1 month full pay, 1 month half pay, rising to 5 months full pay, 5 months half pay over 5 years’ service. • Membership of the Civil Service Pension scheme.

Competence 1 Collaborating and Partnering Competence 2 Making Effective Decisions Competence 3 Building Capability for All Competence 4 Delivering at Pace Qualification(s) Candidates must hold a 2:1 undergraduate degree in Economics or a Postgraduate degree in economics. Joint honours degrees must comprise at least 50% of the course modules in economics. You must have studied both macro and microeconomics to qualify. Previous Experience & Skills The successful candidate will be at the level expected in order to be successful at the Government Economic Service assessment centre. Therefore, throughout the application process, they should be able to demonstrate: a sound understanding of economics, the ability to apply economics and the ability to effectively and accessibly communicate economics.

Sift & interview/selection dates and location Sifts will take place during weeks commencing 3rd November; assessments and interviews will take place during weeks commencing 24th November, 1st December and 8th December. Interviews will take place in London and Sheffield. Selection process details The selection process will include an initial paper sift (on your experience to date and potentially on the lead competence of ‘Collaborating and Partnering’ only as a first level sift if there is a particularly high number of applicants). You MUST complete the additional information sheet listing your qualifications and upload with the application when prompted to do so. CV’s will not be accepted. If you are successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to sit a short answer Maths and Economics test prior to an interview, including a short presentation on a pre-determined topic, on the same day. You will be assessed at the assessment centre and interview based on the GES competencies and Civil Service Competency. Contact point for applicants: Please contact Joy Thompson on 0114 293 4834 or email [email protected]. Further information Applications should be made via Civil Service Jobs demonstrating suitability as outlined in the job description. Successful applicants will be able to choose an office in Leeds, London or Sheffield. Some travel may be required, and some remote working may be possible, depending on business need. A reserve list will be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. All applications for these vacancies must be made on-line. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper

applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying on-line. If this is the case, please email [email protected]. Please note: • Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions. • Late applications will not be accepted. Details of the Civil Service Nationality Rules are located at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/resources/nationality-rules. Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements. For the most up-to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/ Please see link below to the Civil Service Learning site for further details regarding the competencies: https://civilservicelearning.civilservice.gov.uk/user You will need to register and log in to the site to view the competencies. Very Important Note: When submitting your application for a post in the DWP you will be asked; "Are you currently undergoing any formal discipline, absence or poor performance action?" It is important that you only tick this box if you are currently within the formal review period for attendance or performance management, or have penalty banning you from promotion. Do not tick the box if; • you are in a 'Sustained performance period' for Performance, • you are in a 'Backsliding Period' for Attendance, or • You have any other disciplinary that does not specifically have a restriction on applying for promotion. To be eligible to apply for a position within DWP, candidates must have passed their probationary period with their home department.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.

Salary Minimum £28,533 - National Pay Scale Salary Maximum £38,740 - National Pay Scale Closing Date 27 Oct 2014 The Civil Service is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from those who are in the UK Reserve Forces as we recognise the value of voluntary Reserve service and aim to be an exemplar employer of those who serve their country in the Armed Forces. We also offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria. We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs - or any other grounds.

Commissioners Statement: The Cabinet Office’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. Recruitment Principles Pension Statement: Pension schemes are available and more information will be provided to successful candidates. For further information on these schemes please refer to the following website http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions/ School Leaving Age Statement: Details of the UK school leaving age rules are located at https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school. All candidates will be subject to UK school leaving age legislation. Our department's policy does not allow applicants to apply for vacancies when they are still in their probation period. Nationality Statement: Details of the Civil Service Nationality Rules are located at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules. Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements. For the most up-to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the www.gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas/