Candidate information pack

Economist January 2015

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Job description 1.

Background

Green Alliance is an independent think tank focused on ambitious leadership for the environment. Founded in 1979 to inject an environmental perspective into the political life of Britain we have been inspiring and influencing change for over 35 years. We bring the best academic, business and NGO thinking to the debate about Britain’s future and to secure the next steps of the UK’s transition to a greener economy. We operate by identifying new opportunities and finding common interests between sectors to drive strategic political outcomes. Our impact derives from the quality and integrity of our work as well as our relationships with influential figures in politics, the media, business, finance and academia. Green Alliance provides the platform for political leaders and mainstream commentators to speak on key public policy questions. Over the past few years we have hosted George Osborne, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband, Adair Turner, William Hague and Vince Cable, amongst others.

2. Purpose of this role Green Alliance seeks an ambitious and dynamic economist to provide high quality economic and quantitative analysis to inform our insights and policy advice. You will build on the reputation for solid economic research and clear authoritative argument created by our chief economist, Julian Morgan. You will bring your knowledge of economics and passion for a sustainable economy to bear on our work on low carbon energy, resource stewardship, political leadership, and our new natural environment programme, which will have a focus on the economics of land management. Your role will be to: • build Green Alliance’s profile as a leading thinker on the role of natural resources, and green goods and services in the economy • lead the development of new analysis on the economics of specific sectors eg agriculture, energy infrastructure, etc • provide internal economic and quantitative research capability

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bring strong connections to the wider economic and environmental community rigorously apply the economist’s toolkit to questions of growth, competitiveness, employment, innovation, infrastructure investment, natural capital, and resource and energy efficiency distinguish weak arguments based on vested interests or ideology from strong arguments founded on rigorous theory and well supported by empirical evidence.

3. Position in organisation The economist will report to the policy director. They will work in a small inhouse policy team comprising the policy director, head of research, head of sustainable business, head of resources and energy, head of politics, and a number of policy advisers, with support from our associates and policy interns. The work of the policy team spans four issue areas: low carbon energy, resource stewardship, political leadership and natural environment. Members of the policy team work closely with Green Alliance’s development team, and the post holder will be supported by our head of communications. Exceptional candidates with good standing and extensive experience could be considered for appointment as senior economist. 4. Person specification Knowledge & experience

Essential: • an excellent academic education: a postgraduate degree in economics is preferred, or an ability to demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge through experience in economics • the intellectual breadth to both understand the power of markets, their limits, the dynamic nature of economies and economic sectors, and to be able to reflect on and explore the impact of environmental constraints on economics • a strong background in open economy economics, with a good knowledge of financial markets and an understanding of public sector economics

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a strong interest in applying existing training and knowledge to developing a robust case for an efficient, effective and greener economy professional experience as an economist, for instance working in a government department, think tank, academia, banking or business an excellent grasp of the latest policy, academic and corporate thinking around the conditions and drivers for a greener economy

Desirable: • experience of attracting funding for an organisation and/or programme of work • an understanding of environmental economics • an understanding of UK and international environmental policy, with an applied understanding of energy, resources or natural environment issues • an understanding of the role Green Alliance plays in bringing about change.

Skills & competencies

Essential: • the intellectual curiosity to challenge narrow orthodoxies and to marry an understanding of the dynamic nature of economies with the existence of environmental constraints • the ability to distil and hone arguments for a non-economic and political audience • the confidence and credibility to make a compelling case for a greener economy to senior officials and ministers in HM Treasury, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Number 10 and other government departments • the ability to analyse and interpret quantitative data rapidly and accurately • excellent interpersonal and communication skills • excellent writing skills • strong project planning, management and delivery skills

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To lead economic or quantitative research projects, and draw new insights from the research. To maintain our reputation for thought leadership, advocacy and policy solutions in this area. To enhance the use of economic framings in energy, resource and environmental policy debates. To consolidate cutting edge academic research and knowledge of financial market regulation to communicate and disseminate key ideas and insights to a political audience. To establish strong dialogue with HM Treasury, BIS and other economic stakeholders. To write articles and longer reports for publication by Green Alliance. To represent Green Alliance at meetings, seminars, conferences and consultations at the highest levels. To participate in Green Alliance’s project planning processes and contribute to organisational development. To deputise for the policy director and/or director as appropriate. To carry out any other task which may be reasonably requested to be undertaken within the scope of this post.

6. Qualifications As outlined above, applicants for this post should have an excellent academic education including, preferably, a postgraduate degree in economics, or equivalent work experience. 7.

Terms and conditions

Position: Permanent, or minimum two year secondment. Full time, although flexibility may be possible for exceptional candidates. Salary:

£30-33k depending on experience and skills

Location:

Green Alliance's office is in Victoria. It is on the first, second and third floors with stairway access only.

Hours:

35 hours per week with some flexibility.

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Holiday:

25 days per year in addition to statutory holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year.

Other benefits:

Green Alliance offers a stakeholder pension with Friends Provident. All employees currently receive a Green Alliance pension contribution of up to seven per cent of gross salary which may be paid into this scheme or another of their choice.

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Application process

Applicants should complete and return the application form and email it to [email protected] . Applicants should focus in particular on how they meet the person specification outlined above and how they can help Green Alliance increase its influence in environmental policy and politics. If you are interested in applying for this role as a secondment, please indicate this on the application form. Applications by CV alone will not be considered but CVs can be provided as additional information. The closing date for applications is Sunday 1 February. Interviews for this post are planned to take place on Monday 9 February.

If you have any queries about the role and would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Julian Morgan, chief economist on [email protected] or 020 7630 4526. Green Alliance welcomes applications from all members of the community. We strive to be an equal opportunities employer. We will aim to accommodate special requirements wherever possible. Please note that Green Alliance can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK. We are unfortunately unable to sponsor working visa applications. Green Alliance, January 2015

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