GES SANDWICH STUDENTS JOB DESCRIPTIONS 2016-17
DEPARTMENT:
BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS (BIS)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
5
SALARY:
c£20,000
About BIS
BIS has a challenging, exciting and wide remit, covering everything from higher education, skills and
innovation to making markets more dynamic, and promoting trade, business sectors and enterprise.
We live in an age of extraordinary change and, although the opportunities are getting bigger and
appearing faster, the global competition is getting tougher. We’re here to help business and society
take advantage of that change. You could be a part of that.
Post 1: Labour Markets Team Description
The post is in the National Minimum and Living Wage team in the Labour Markets Directorate in BIS.
This team includes a range of professions of policy officials, economists and statisticians. We
support the development of minimum wage policy and produce a variety of economic analysis on
the labour market, National Minimum and Living Wage, and wider low pay and living standards
issues.
The UK labour market is high performing, both historically and compared to other countries. In
order to maintain this high level of performance it is important that policy decisions are underpinned
by comprehensive and robust evidence and analysis. The analytical team is multi-disciplinary comprised of economists, social researchers and statisticians (around 15 analysts in total). It is
headed by a senior economist, with analysts integrated in the policy teams they support. The area is
data and evidence-rich and at the heart of the UK’s Growth Agenda.
Job Description
The sandwich student will provide analytical support to the policy team on a variety of labour
market issues and in particular on the National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage area. The
candidate will support and lead on specific projects relating to low pay in the UK economy such as
the cycle of evidence to the Low Pay Commission to inform their recommendations on the National
Minimum Wage. Other topics may include the impact of the National Living Wage.
The candidate will also work across the team with other analysts to look at the cross-cutting and
high profile issues in labour market policy such as zero hour contracts and EU reform.
We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic and pro-active with strong analytical and
communication skills. This post will provide the candidate with a great opportunity to work with
policy and analysts in a high profile subject area, learning the key skills needed to join the
Government Economic Fast Stream programme.
The areas of economics most used are Labour market economics; macro, micro, and data analysis.
There will be opportunities for training throughout the year.
Contact: Chris Thompson (020 7215 1582)
Post 2: Spatial Economic Growth Analysis Team
Team Description
Cities and Local Growth is a high-profile policy area that has gained considerable momentum since
the election. The Chancellor has taken a keen personal interest in the local growth landscape,
including through:
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The creation of a £12bn Local Growth Fund;
A series of initiatives designed to establish a Northern Powerhouse;
Devolving significant powers and responsibilities to elected mayors, including through the
Greater Manchester Devolution Deal, as well as Growth Deals and City Deals.
Our analysis has played a key role in the above, and remains central to the policy debate. This is a
broad agenda, and we provide analysis on transport, innovation, skills and housing. To achieve our
mission, our team works in partnership with the cross-government Cities and Local Growth policy
team (DCLG/BIS), as well as other Government Departments such as DfT, DEFRA, DCMS, HMT and
FCO. It also has strong links to local partners through our six BIS Local offices across the country and
maintains links with academics, think tanks and international partners.
Examples of recent work include:
 Analysis of the existence and impact of agglomeration effects in the England and the case for
cities;
 A review of the geographic patterns of public spending on economic infrastructure over the
last decade;
 An assessment of commuting patterns and their fit with England’s existing administrative
geography;
 The design of the allocation, monitoring and evaluation processes for the £12bn Local
Growth Fund;
 A series of short projects on the Future of Cities, the rural economy, and innovation
spending and geographic clustering within England; and
 The launch of a joint research project partnering the Northern Powerhouse with the Chinese
Chongqing-Chengdu city cluster.
Tasks (indicative only, to be defined in spring 2016)
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To ‘own’ and lead on a piece of analysis – this will possibly include a literature review and
using data to help inform the review.
To lead on some of the sub-national economic intelligence work such as producing our
Weekly Digest and One Pager
To contribute to the Growth/Devolution Deals monitoring and evaluation work -to analyse
and interpret the monitoring data being provided by LEPs
To develop an understanding of the policy context of local growth
Opportunities
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Line management, coaching and mentoring from assistant economist or Grade 7 economic
advisor
Access to informal training and learning opportunities provided by the team/Directorate
Opportunities to shadow senior colleagues at meetings
Opportunities to travel and engage with external partners
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Post 3: European Reform Directorate
Team Description
The European Reform Directorate leads across Government on the EU growth and competitiveness
agenda, in particular the UK’s interests in the Single Market, State Aid issues, and is responsible for
Structural Funds Policy. It also co-ordinates BIS’s contribution to the Government’s wider EU
agenda, working closely with the European and Global Issues Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, HMT,
the FCO and UKREP. These responsibilities put the Directorate’s work at the heart of the
Government’s EU economic agenda.
The EU Analysis team is embedded in a G5-led policy team and is led by a G6 Senior Economist and
contains two G7 Economists, and two Economic Assistants.
Key issues over the next year include influencing the following priority areas:
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The debate on EU reform;
The work programme of the European Commission and European Parliament;
The completion of the Single Market, in particular in services and digital;
The value for money of EU Structural Funds.
Job Description
This role provides significant opportunities at an exciting time. You will contribute towards sound
economic analysis and to influence policy advice while delivering at pace across a range of issues
relating to the EU Single Market, EU growth and competitiveness.
You will work with and influence economists and policymakers across BIS, other Government
Departments, the European Commission and other EU Member States. The post offers
opportunities for developing strategic thinking and influencing skills and will also provide plenty of
opportunity to display political awareness and communicate with a diverse set of stakeholders. You
will contribute to:
 Building the economic evidence base on key EU policy areas and provide economic advice on a
wide range of topical issues to ensure that the Government’s EU policy is evidence based.
 In conjunction with other analysts, building the evidence base, including through economic
research, of the value for money of EU structural funds (this is a high profile area that will involve
working closely with HMT);
 In conjunction with other analysts, providing economic advice to support policy development of
the Single Market, in particular in the areas for services and the Digital Single Market.
 Providing economic advice to support policy development in the areas of the Single Market for
goods and the implementation and enforcement of existing Single Market rules.
 Contribute to BIS’s EU research programme more generally.
The exact spilt across responsibilities is yet to be determined, but in this fast moving area will
represent a challenging and rewarding opportunity.
Post 4: Analyst Energy Markets & Climate Change
Team Description
The team provides economic advice and analysis on the impact of energy and climate change
policies, particularly their effect on UK industries’ international competitiveness.
We ensure policies do not adversely impact on competitiveness, growth and provide opportunities
for the UK supply chain. The main focus is therefore on sectors which use a lot of electricity and are
highly traded. The team covers industry (micro), economy (macro) and energy markets (national &
international).
The team supports the delivery of a major package of support for Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs firms where energy makes up a substantial part of their overall costs) whose competitiveness is most
heavily affected by energy and climate change policy. Failure to support these industries will see
them moving abroad harming the UK economy and perversely release more CO2 as UK based
industry is often amongst the most efficient.
Forecast BIS expenditure on compensation for eligible industries is around £400m per year in
2016/17 and rising rapidly over the parliament. Climate change policies are currently going through
a period of rapid change with the recent scrapping of the green deal, breaching of the levy control
framework and reduced renewable subsidy. The existing regulatory environment is complicated and
has a major impact on the UK economy and employment, further change is inevitable and our small
team intends to be at the heart of this driving the agenda for a prosperous as well as low carbon
future.
Our team is embedded within the policy team for Business of Energy and the Environment. This is a
priority policy area for BIS also attracting considerable interest from No. 10 and HM Treasury.
Job Description
The job will involve a range of analytical inputs, in particular developing the evidence base relevant
to Government support to energy intensives companies. This will involve looking at the wider
benefits of EIIs, including supply chain linkages, and barriers to energy efficiency investments at the
firm level. Analysis will need to be robust and defensible having a strong narrative gained from
working with policy colleagues but ensuring that our position is evidence driven.
Work may well involve engaging with academic work in the area to both help direct future academic
research and disseminate knowledge to the team; presenting the implications of DECC policy
changes.
Other responsibilities:
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Supporting the changing priorities of the Business of Energy and the Environment team.
Analysing and influencing DECC’s energy and climate change policies to ensure they effectively
manage the transition to a green economy while not adversely impacting on the
competitiveness of business and UK growth.
In particular, influencing domestic and international climate change policies, both at a macro
level in terms of our overall ambition (e.g. UK carbon budgets and EU levels of ambition) and on
a micro level in terms of shaping individual policies.
Lots of opportunities to represent BIS at Cross-Whitehall meetings, meetings with industry
stakeholders and meetings with international counterparts.
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Which type of analysis most used?
Microeconomics, Energy & Environment Economics
Key competencies: (select 6 which will be developed)
Strategic Cluster
Performance Cluster People Cluster
Delivering Results
Seeing the Big Picture
x
Changing and Improving
Making Effective
Decisions
x
Leading and
Communicating
x
Achieving Commercial
Outcomes
Collaborating and
Partnering
x
Delivering Value for Money
Building Capacity for All
Managing a Quality Service
x
Delivering at Pace
x
Other Useful Info
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The post offers opportunities to develop leadership skills by leading analysis on different
work streams and would be suitable for someone interested in a policy-facing post.
The post offers exposure to cross-Whitehall decision making, offering opportunities to
develop negotiating and influencing skills.
The post offers opportunities to develop communication skills building and maintaining
relationships with contacts in the private sector
Elements of the role can be technical but the post also relies heavily on ability to explain
complex ideas and results to non-analysts.
Post 5: Analyst in Research Base Spending Evidence Team
About BIS
BIS is ‘the Department for Growth’. It is a major economic Department, at the heart of government
policy, working in partnership with the Treasury and other government departments to rebalance the
economy and supporting business to invest with confidence. Its main objective is to develop and
deliver a policy agenda across government which helps promote sustainable and balanced growth.
To this end, the Department has a wide set of responsibilities including higher and further education,
skills, enterprise, business, innovation, regulation and competition, science and research, domestic
and international trade and inward investment. Maximising the synergies between these areas is key
to the growth agenda and a BIS priority.
To make sure that Britain is a place where enterprise and innovation are supported BIS also has a key
role to play in reducing obstacles to growth, such as regulation, and helping to facilitate market
frameworks. The Department has 49 partner organisations: reorganising how BIS and its partner
organisations create a single, focused endeavour is another key challenge but one the Department is
making significant progress against.
The Department currently has around 2,300 directly employed staff and a budget of some £17 billion.
The vast majority of staff are based in London with around 300 people in Sheffield. BIS’ partner
organisations employ over 25,000 staff, based around the UK, though centred on the South East.
BIS’s Values are ‘Focus on what Matters’, ‘Committed to Each Other’s Success’, and ‘Empowered to
Deliver’. They are increasingly shaping how we do business in an increasingly challenging and
demanding environment which requires flexibility, openness and innovation in how everyone at BIS
works.
Further information can be found at http://www.gov.uk/bis
About Research Base
Research Base is the BIS directorate responsible for ensuring the UK has a world class science and
research base and manages the UK science budget. It is responsible for the funding and governance
of the public research base through the 7 Research Councils, Higher Education Funding Council for
England and UK Space Agency.
The science budget represents one of BIS largest areas of programme spend and is currently over
£5bn per year. This investment is central to the Government’s strategy to improving productivity,
generating growth and rebalancing the economy and this has ensured that science and research
remains high on the policy agenda. Jo Johnson, the Minister for Universities and Science, and the
Secretary of State take a close interest in these policy areas.
Due to the scale of programme spend there is high emphasis on measuring the economic benefits
that result from public investment in science and research. These impacts accrue across a wide
range of areas including both market and non-market impacts, and include the secondary impacts
resulting from private investment in R&D that is leveraged in as a response to the public investment.
This requires a sophisticated approach to economic appraisal and provides an excellent training for
analysts looking to gain experience on Green Book methodology.
In addition to valuation of economic benefits there are a number of other key analytical issues to
inform policy design and governance:
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How can the science and research system be made more efficient?
How can the UK’s existing areas of research excellence be used to promote regional economic
growth and help rebalance the economy?
How sustainable is the research system and where are the areas in which the system is under
pressure?
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What are the benefits from international engagement and how should the UK research system
interact with other countries’ research systems?
This role sits in a multi-disciplinary team providing high quality, relevant and timely advice to
Ministers and officials. It is important that this high profile policy area, including substantial
investment, is underpinned by robust evidence and analysis. The allocation work following the
Spending Review, means that the team will be at the forefront of policy and strategy development
for K&I Group over the coming period, providing strong opportunities for professional development.
The analyst will work with colleagues from across BIS and its partner organisations to help to
develop and implement a plan for improved evidence on Research Base policies. Project team workstreams will include the following:
Job Description
1. Develop the evidence base for investment in science.
Provide evidence and rationale for government intervention in science and research, much of which
will input into high-profile strategic reviews and Ministerial briefing. Key tasks will include:
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Building and maintaining the evidence base underpinning Britain’s research performance
Developing the analytical work around focussed on ‘Place’ to support strategic decisions by BIS
about where to support investment in research and innovation
Monitor and feedback on the economic impacts of Research Councils
Provide economic evidence and rationale underpinning business cases to HMT for science and
research spend (including development of approaches to NPV modelling).
Work to improve the underlying evidence on non-market impacts and explore how these can be
incorporated in to the team’s appraisal model
Understand the market for research, the related market failures, and the interactions with
innovation activities in the private sector (knowledge transfer and exchange)
Identify channels for contributions of science and research to economic growth and welfare, and
ways of illustrating and evidencing these impacts
2. Develop a systems model of Research Base funding
Contribute to a new strand of work creating a whole system view of the UK science and research
system. This will involve:
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The creation of that complete view including detailed information on funding, costs and
sustainability.
Developing an analytical view of efficiency, effectiveness and value for money of different policy
interventions, particularly those which involve commitment of significant financial resource.
3. Develop and implement improved evaluation processes
Working with Research Base and analytical colleagues in the central Analysis Directorate to
understand and improve evaluation processes in BIS partner bodies with a view to:
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Developing a convincing narrative around existing activity and how it meets BIS and HMT
requirements around assessing the quality and impact of investments.
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Developing a longer-term strategy for improved evaluation processes that is signed up to, and
can be implemented, by partner bodies and which would meet BIS and HMT requirements.
Research Base analysis works closely with policy teams and there will be regular requests for shortnotice analytical briefing to support submissions or policy discussions. These are shared amongst the
analysts in the team and ensure that all analysts get a high level of contact with policy leads.
A scientific background is not essential although individuals with an interest in UK science will find
the role particularly rewarding and there will be opportunities to engage with partners such as
Research Councils and HEFCE as well as academics involved in assessing the impact of research.
The role will offer professional and personal development, for example in understanding new
approaches to cost benefit analysis, systems modelling, database linking and evaluation
methodologies. As part of a central analytical team in Research Base, in addition to technical skills,
you will also develop skills around building collaborative relationships, influencing and delivering
through others.
The analyst will require:
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Strong analytical skills, including the ability to think creatively in the face of incomplete data
and evidence, both qualitative and quantitative.
The ability to make sound judgements about the robustness of data, evidence and resulting
estimates.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
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The ability to form good working relationships with policy and analyst officials and with external
partners.
Key competencies: (select 6 which will be developed)
Strategic Cluster
Performance Cluster People Cluster
Delivering Results
Seeing the Big Picture
√
Changing and Improving
Making Effective
Decisions
√
Leading and
Communicating
√
Achieving Commercial
Outcomes
Collaborating and
Partnering
√
Delivering Value for Money
Building Capacity for All
Managing a Quality Service
√
Delivering at Pace
√
Work involves close collaboration with policy colleagues (particularly from the Research Base
Directorate), central BIS analysis teams and the external research community. Travelling
opportunities available, including visits to science facilities (previous have included: particle
accelerators (ISIS, Diamond), Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, Jodrell Bank). Significant amount
of work with stakeholders, in particular the Research Councils and HEFCE and the academic
community. The team works collaboratively and flexibly within and across projects, providing
opportunities to work with a wide variety of people.
Time constraints
Any job-specific training offered?
Opportunities to widen knowledge of Science
and Innovation through conferences and
events. Outreach visits to partner
organisations. Exposure to senior people and
high-level political processes.
Options available
Own research project and project
management.
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DECC)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
2
SALARY:
£20,546
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created in October 2008 and is responsible
for all aspects of UK energy policy, and for tackling global climate change on behalf of the UK. Our
four overall objectives are to:
Climate change is not only a massive threat to the global environment; it is also perhaps the greatest
economic challenge facing us in the twenty-first century. It demands an urgent and radical response
across the developed and developing world. At the same time, the UK needs to secure clean, safe,
affordable energy to heat and power our homes and businesses. Creating a low carbon and resource
efficient world means making major structural changes to the way we work and live, including how
we source, manage and use our energy.
DECC exists to take the lead in tackling these challenges, and reflects the fact that climate change
and energy policies are inextricably linked – two thirds of our emissions come from the energy we
use. Decisions in one field cannot be made without considering the impacts in the other. A wide
range of further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/decc
Economists in DECC typically provide robust, rigorous and influential economic advice to inform policy
development. There will be opportunities for the summer student will be able to lead on discrete
pieces of work as well as contributing towards other work. The candidate will work with a
multidisciplinary team consisting of both analysts and policy experts, and will be expected to possess
strong analytical skills, ability to communicate effectively and work successfully as part of a team.
General Information
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The position would be expected to last 12 months.
The vacancy is located at DECC’s central London offices
25 days of annual leave on a pro-rata basis
Possibility to work on a flexi time basis.
Our Requirements
In order to meet the requirements of the role, you will need, or be studying for, a degree in Economics
or postgraduate degree in economics (both of which should have over 50% Economics content) and
to demonstrate the following competencies when completing the application form:
Economist competencies:
 Provide effective and appropriate written and oral communication to colleagues and
stakeholders from many different backgrounds
o Build effective working relationships with policy colleagues and other analytical
professions, to facilitate continuous discourse and build mutual understanding of
how to work together.
o
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Communicate effectively with non-economists, conveying the relevance and impact
of economic concepts without the use of specialist terminology.
o Be able to tailor the details of their communications, ensuring that it is appropriate
to the needs to the audience.
Be able to analyse and handle data for the purposes of producing evidence for policy
advice
o Strong analytical reasoning and quantitative skills, and a sound understanding of the
economic rationales for government intervention;
o Be proficient in using Excel and other relevant software packages.
Apply economic tools and techniques, and synthesise evidence from a range of sources, as
appropriate
o Excellent knowledge of applied microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Civil Service competencies:
 Collaborating and Partnering
o People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting
working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil
Service to help get business done.
o At all levels, it requires working collaboratively, sharing information and building
supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having
the confidence to challenge assumptions.
 Delivering at Pace
o Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with
energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
o For all staff, it’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with
challenges in a responsive and constructive way.
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview, lasting approximately 45 minutes, to discuss
the competencies outlined in your application form.
Nationality
These roles are open to UK nationals, Commonwealth citizens, British Protected Persons, nationals of
EU states and certain of their dependents/ family members, nationals of EEA states and certain of
their dependents/ family members, Swiss Nationals and certain of their dependents/ family members,
and certain Turkish Nationals and certain of their dependents/ family members, who have the right,
or current permission, to live and work in the UK.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible to work in the UK Civil Service please visit:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/eligibility/nationality.asp. Please note that this is a non-reserved post.
Official Secrets Act
The post is covered by the Official Secrets Act. Candidates must exercise care in the use of official
information acquired in the course of official duties, and not disclose information which is held in
confidence.
Security
Successful applicants will be expected to undergo security clearance and appointments will be
conditional until they are cleared. Any offer of a placement will be subject to the satisfactory
completion of pre-appointment enquiries.
Equal Opportunity & Diversity Information
DECC values equality and diversity in employment and welcomes applications from all sectors of
society.
DECC is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of
opportunity. As an employer, it is also committed to equality and valuing diversity within the
workforce. Its goal is to ensure that these commitments, reinforced by its values, are embedded in its
day-to-day working practices with all its customers, colleagues and partners.
DECC does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation,
religion or belief, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, working pattern, employment
status, gender identity (transgender), caring responsibility, trade union membership. In order to help
the Department to monitor the success of its commitment to equal opportunities, all applicants are
requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form contained within the application
package and submit it with their application. This form is used for monitoring purposes only and will
not be made available to the selection panel.
Part of our commitment is that we guarantee an interview to any candidate who has a disability, as
defined by the Equality Act 2010, and declares their disability in their application, provided that they
meet the minimum (essential eligibility) criteria for the post(s) in question, as set out in the job
advertisement and this brochure.
The Equality Act 2010 defines a person as being disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment
which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities.
Civil Service Code
All Civil Servants are expected to carry out their role in accordance with the Civil Service Code and its
core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Further information is provided on the
Civil Service website (http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/work/cscode/).
Further Information
If, after reading the Candidate Information you have any further questions about the role, please
contact Andrew Fraser (andrew.fraser@decc.gsi.gov.uk).
Complaints
The Department’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, which can be found at: www.civilservicecommission.org.uk
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a
complaint, you should contact David Bolt, Resourcing Manager (david.bolt@decc.gsi.gov.uk) or 0300
068 5823) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the
Department, the Commission will consider complaints where the principle of appointment on merit
through fair and open competition, and the Recruitment Principles, have not been met.
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS (DEFRA)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
2
SALARY:
c£21,000
Placement 1: Agricultural Markets, Outlook & Food Security Branch, International Evidence
(This post is not open to students who have completed their degree)
The Agricultural Markets, Outlook & Food Security branch is part of the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra’s) International Evidence Team. This wider team
comprises 10 economists and social researchers who work together to manage research and provide
analysis on:
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proposals for reform of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy
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developments in international agricultural commodity markets and future projections for
the global agricultural sector
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impacts of EU trade agreements
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representing the UK in international meetings analysing agriculture – e.g. at OECD and G20
The Group has an international reputation. The branch contributes to this through its work on the
Aglink-COSIMO partial equilibrium model which has been developed by the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
of the United Nations. This model makes use of sophisticated specialist econometric and
mathematical modelling software such as “TROLL” (training will be provided). We also support UK
participation in the G20 Agricultural Markets Information System (AMIS), and provide analysis on
questions related to global food security.
Each year we recruit a motivated and ambitious industrial placement student for one year. The
successful candidate will make use of and interpret existing models to inform policy decisions.
Furthermore, there will be an opportunity to work with the General Equilibrium modeller in the
team, in particular in relation to the reform of international trade in agricultural products.
Previous work has included looking at the impacts of global biofuel policies on agricultural markets
and reform of the EU sugar regime. Present projects include projecting the UK agricultural sector
over the next decade.
Essential requirements:
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a strong mathematical background, including training in calculus and statistics;
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good knowledge of Microsoft Office software, in particular Microsoft Excel; and
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an interest in developing skills in modelling.
Placement 2: CAP Reform & Agricultural Markets Team
The CAP Reform & Agricultural Markets Team is a group of eight economists covering a broad range
of high profile international agricultural issues. The main work areas for the team include:
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economic analysis and advice supporting UK efforts to reform the EU’s Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP);
economic analysis and advice regarding World Trade Organisation (WTO) agricultural
negotiations;
economic advice regarding other international trade issues affecting agriculture, most
notably regional and bilateral trade agreements and the G20;
representing the UK and providing economic input at two Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) working parties related to agriculture and trade;
The post is broad in scope and as the CAP reform negotiations enter their final stages it provides an
excellent opportunity to gain experience applying economic principles and influencing policy.
Previous work has included modelling the costs of CAP to consumers and tax payers, assessing the
effectiveness of export bans and providing economic analysis for senior civil servants in the CAP
negotiating team. Previous candidates have had considerable opportunities to develop their written
and verbal communication skills, excel skills and apply econometric packages such as STATA.
International Oil and Gas Markets
International Energy Unit - Department of Energy and Climate Change
DECC is a relatively new government department leading UK policy to tackle the joint challenges of
climate change and energy supply.
How will the UK secure future oil supplies?
How much power does OPEC have?
What is the outlook for oil and gas markets?
These are the kind of questions that Ministers and senior officials are asking economists in the
International Energy Unit. Through this post you will:
 Gain a valuable insight into how oil markets operate and how they interact with domestic and
global economies.
 Be part of a high profile team working at the heart of government analysis and policy.
 Gain experience that will help develop a future career in government, industry or finance.
The Role:
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Monitor and analyse movements in oil and gas market prices.
Prepare regular reports on oil and gas market developments.
Provide advice and correspondence to ministers and officials across government.
Initiate and develop short- & long-term projects that examine current oil market issues such as
global energy security and market volatility
 Maintain team’s oil and gas price spreadsheets and have good awareness of all sources of oil and
gas data in order to respond to a wide variety of data requests
Skills Required:
 A good understanding of macro and micro economic concepts and their application.
 Enthusiasm and confidence when working as part of a team and with government and industry
colleagues.
 Good written and oral communication skills.
 Familiarity with MS Excel.
 The ability to work to deadlines, both individually and as part of a small, lively team.
 Candidates must be undertaking an undergraduate degree programme including at least 50%
economics and must be British, EU or Commonwealth nationals.
 Previous knowledge of oil and gas markets is not essential.
Benefits:
 You will be given responsibility and the ability to take ownership of projects.
 You will have access to a variety of training opportunities, not limited to energy markets.
 You will attend seminars related to the job.
The placement will run for a year from June 2016.
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION (DFE)
LOCATION:
LONDON OR SHEFFIELD
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
2
SALARY:
£22,000/£19,000
Job Description: to follow
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DH)
LOCATION:
LONDON OR LEEDS
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
3
SALARY:
£22,217/£18,507
Job Description:
Job summary
Overview area of
work and post
The role is based in the Office of the Chief Analyst at the Department
of Health, working with an experienced government economist on
issues relevant to developing current government policy. Placement
students will have the opportunity to gain experience working
alongside a professional government economist, to understand how
academic knowledge of economics is applied in the public sector.
The team works on several topics analysing the performance of the
NHS in both historical and international context and understanding the
future challenges the NHS may face. In this role, the placement
student will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and
will directly contribute to briefing documents for ministers and senior
civil servants.
Placement students are fully supported in developing the knowledge
and skills they require to contribute to the work of the team, this
includes support in learning analytical techniques used by
government analysts and developing existing I.T. skills.
Many previous placement students have joined the GES as fast
stream analysts following graduation. In this role the placement
student will have the opportunity to meet and work with current fast
streamers to gain understand and gain experience in the work they
do.
Key objectives for
this role
Responsibilities
and tasks

Data analysis using MS Excel and other statistical
software
Competences


working on your own initiative,
organising and prioritising time;
producing results/determination

Key interactions:
who will the role
work closely with?
Points to Note
All students will be assigned a designated line manager to work with
during their duration of the placement who will be responsible for their
professional development.
N/A
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT (DFT)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
3
SALARY:
£24,559
The Teams
The Department for Transport is a key Ministerial department that works with our 18 agencies and
delivery partners to support the transport network and plan and invest in transport infrastructure to
keep the UK on the move. This is an exciting time for the Department as it plays a central role in
delivering some of the Government’s key priorities to achieve the Department’s three main
objectives: boosting economic growth and prosperity; improving journeys; and making transport
safer and more sustainable. The analysts' role is fundamental to their achievement.
The Department has a wide and varied agenda ranging from large infrastructure projects, such as
Crossrail and the development of a high speed rail network, through to reforming and improving our
strategic road network and developing airport capacity.
Priorities include encouraging the use of new technology, such as smart ticketing and low carbon
vehicles; maintaining high standards of transport safety and security; encouraging sustainable local
travel; tackling congestion on our roads; and supporting the development of aviation, improving the
passenger experience at airports.
The roles
Analysts play a key role in assessing the impacts of alternative transport policy options, delivering
and effectively communicating high quality and influential analysis to policy colleagues to drive
forward evidence-based policy.
The student placement posts will be part of a team of analysts developing the evidence base,
undertaking quality assured economic appraisal and evaluation, and providing robust analytical
advice and economic modelling.
Analysis is required in such areas as:
- the possible location of additional airport capacity, and the associated implications for carbon
emissions, local air quality and surface access requirements;
- government interventions intended to improve the international competitiveness, safety and
environmental performance of the UK maritime industry;
- a long-term strategy for transport to make a cost-effective contribution to reducing the UK’s
greenhouse gas emissions out to 2050;
- major rail projects, such as Crossrail or High Speed 2;
- ensuring the value-for-money of local transport spend through appraisal and modelling scrutiny, as
well as informing assessments of local bus and taxi legislation; and
- the evaluation of roads reform, road safety and traffic.
DEPARTMENT:
DEPARTMENT FOR WORK & PENSIONS (DWP)
LOCATION:
LONDON, LEEDS/SHEFFIELD
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
15
SALARY:
£20,800/£16,760
Job description:
Economists in DWP go beyond the theory and apply our economics knowledge – we analyse data,
build models and trial the latest thinking in economic and behavioural theory. We are central to
DWP issues around work and savings, and are at the core of the welfare and pensions reform agenda
– shaping incentives to work and save. Economists in DWP work closely with academia,
independent research organisations and across government to ensure that our work is at the
forefront of the welfare provision agenda worldwide. Student economists in DWP are highly valued
and have the chance to work on high profile areas. Students may work on specific projects, or deal
with a number of different topics, as priorities during the year evolve. Posts are likely to be available
in a number of different areas, for example:
o
o
o
o
o
Labour market analysis and briefing.
Analysis and evaluation of the Department’s employment programmes.
Forecasting of benefit expenditure and business volumes.
Assessing the fiscal and other impacts of potential changes to benefit and pension rules.
Analysis to support the government’s ambition to halve the employment rate gap for
disabled people.
Students are a key part of the analytical community and will often work in teams with a mixture of
analysts, including not just other economists, but also statisticians, social researchers and
operational researchers.
During their time in the Department we support students to develop, providing training and helping
them gain the skills they need to become a permanent government economist – and we have had
many students return to DWP on graduating. Many students come away with the ability to write
high-quality briefing and reports, undertake applied data analysis using statistical software, and lead
on pieces of work.
DEPARTMENT:
FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY (FSA)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
1
SALARY:
c£21,000
Jon Description: to follow
DEPARTMENT:
FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (FCO)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
4
SALARY:
£24,325
The purpose of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is to work to achieve UK interests in a safe, just
and prosperous world. Economists in the FCO have an exciting opportunity to promote this agenda
by providing analysis and advice on a wide range of foreign policy issues.
As an FCO Economist, you would be part of an network of economists that spans the globe, and would
be involved in many of the organisation’s most pressing and high profile topics. These go beyond the
traditional definition of economic policy and recently have included contributing to the agendas on
climate change and energy, G7, World Trade Organisation and World Economic Forum, development
issues, debt relief, energy security and food security.
All roles require the job-holder to build and maintain a strong network of contacts both across the
FCO network, government and within the private sector.
Economics Unit
The Economics Unit, at the heart of the FCO economist network is a core part of this and is responsible
for providing ministers and senior officials with economic advice in support of foreign policy. The Unit
leads the wider network of FCO economists working in posts around the world and has four teams
covering a mix of geographic and thematic areas of work.
Title of Post 1: Asia-Pacific & Trade and Investment Team, Economics Unit
The Asia-Pacific & Trade and Investment team works closely with the Asia Pacific Directorate to
provide economic advice that feeds into foreign policy. The Asia-Pacific region has driven world
growth, and is rich in opportunities for the UK. However, in order to take advantage of these, it is
important to understand the economic issues and risks as the region develops – examples of this
include Chinese structural reform and Abenomics.
The team also works closely with BIS and UKTI, to analyse the UK trade and investment performance
and develop policy. Both trade and investment are important components of UK GDP which could
perform better, and work focuses on maximising relationships with the rest of the world, through
bilateral agreements, free trade agreements and the WTO round.
The job-holder will focus on providing analysis on the region, as well as related global economic issues
specifically around trade and investment. They will be responsible for overseeing regular products
that inform briefing for Ministers, Ambassadors and senior officials as well as providing ad hoc advice
on emerging issues, often to short time scales. Examples of work previous placement student have
worked on include:


A paper explaining the recent UK export performance to inform government policy;
Analysis exploring the relationship with China through ‘gateways’ such as Hong Kong and
Taiwan; and

Quick turnaround risk papers analysing emerging and country specific economic risks.
Title of Post 2: Middle East and Africa & Energy Team, Economics Unit
The Middle East & Africa team works closely with both the Middle East and North Africa Directorate
and the Africa Directorate to provide economic advice that feeds into foreign policy. In both regions
understanding economic issues is crucial to understanding developments on the ground – such as the
drivers behind the Arab Spring and whether we should expect further social instability, the importance
of energy to social and political stability in the Gulf, and the challenges facing African countries in their
economic development.
The team also works closely with the International Energy Unit, which is a joint unit between the FCO
and Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), to analyse global oil and gas markets and the
impact that developments have on UK interests, both at home and overseas.
The job-holder will focus on providing analysis on both regions, as well as related global economic
issues specifically around energy. They will be responsible for overseeing regular products that inform
briefing for Ministers, Ambassadors and senior officials as well as providing ad hoc advice on emerging
issues, often to short time scales. Examples of work the current placement student has produced
include:
 A paper examining the risks of the potential US fed rate change on Sub-Saharan African
economies;
 Analysis of trends in global migration and the impact of migrants on developing countries; and
 Contributing to a large-scale analytical project examining recent growth in African economies and
their future potential.
Title of Post 3: EU Economics Team, Europe Directorate
The successful candidate would provide support to the teams which work on EU financial services, and
growth and competitiveness in the EU. This would include work on single market issues and the better
regulation agenda. They would deliver timely analysis on wider European economic issues as well as
supporting work on the European Monetary Union. Part of the role would require the organisation
and execution of the bi-annual Economic Officers Conferences.
Title of Post 4: Global Economic Team, Commercial and Economic Policy Department
The jobholder would lead the work on the Rules-Based International Economic system (RuBIES),
working on a strategy to engage with emerging powers and businesses. Their work would include
scoping projects aimed at promoting the rules-based system, and managing the RuBIES London and
overseas Latin America RuBIES budgets. In addition, part of the role requires supporting the G20 desk
officer with updates and country priorities, especially in the lead up to the G20 Summit.
N.B. Applicants must be British Citizens and have been resident in the UK for at least two of the
previous ten years, at least one year of which must have been a consecutive twelve month period.
DEPARTMENT:
HM REVENUE & CUSTOMS (HMRC)
LOCATION:
LONDON (Parliament Street)
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
5
SALARY:
£22,022
Job description
Economists in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) primarily work in partnership with HM Treasury on
development of tax policy. In addition, some apply their skills to help improve the way HMRC
administers and enforces the tax system.
In your placement, you can expect to work on a number of different projects developing the
evidence base to guide future tax reforms and analysing the impacts of specific changes.
Alternatively you may work on cost-benefit analysis of investments to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of HMRC’s operations. Examples of economic analysis that our student economists may
undertake are as follows:
-
Researching the impact of taxation on the level and type of personal savings
Analysing the behavioural responses of wealthy taxpayers to changes in tax rates
Estimating elasticity of demand for goods with special taxes, e.g. alcohol and tobacco
Evaluating the effect of past reforms, e.g. changes to stamp duty on house purchases
Valuing taxpayers’ time spent complying with the tax system
Quantifying various types of tax avoidance, the size of the ‘tax gap’ and the hidden economy
Our offices are in the Parliament Street / Horse Guards Road building shared with other
departments including HM Treasury. There are excellent facilities such as staff restaurant, café, deli,
gym and other activity rooms, and there is an active social and sporting scene. We also recruit
sandwich students from other analytical professions, and have a tailored development programme
with regular activities for all our students to ensure they get the most out of their placements.
DEPARTMENT:
HM TREASURY (HMT)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
18
SALARY:
£18,852
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Assistant
economist/policy
advisor
Range:
Student
Group:
Financial Services
Team:
Banking & Credit
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The Banking and Credit team (BAC) is a fast moving team which leads the Treasury’s policy
work on retail banking, mortgages, consumer credit, building societies and mutuals, business
lending and payment services, along with the Government’s strategy for increasing
competition in financial services. It works on policy issues which have a direct impact on the
ground, from how people access bank accounts to promoting new payments innovations like
contactless.
BAC deals with a broad range of external contacts including the Bank of England, the
Financial Services Authority, other Government departments, major financial services firms
and their trade bodies.
Role Profile
This is a post which will work directly on policies areas which are ministerial priorities.
Previous post holders have worked on the government’s agenda for digital currencies and
the development of new financial technologies.
The post holder will mostly work across the mortgages and payments branches supporting
these teams in the development of new policy ideas and implementing legislation. They will
also be required to contribute to the economic analysis of policy proposals to help
strengthen the evidence base for advice to ministers.
Core responsibilities will be to:

support the team with research on a variety of policy issues.

support the team in preparing and responding to regular and ad hoc briefing
requests relating to areas of team work.

assist with Ministerial replies to questions from Parliament and correspondence
with members of the public.
There will also be opportunities to be involved with policy analysis and development across
a number of policy areas.
Key competences & skills

have a strong interest in financial services policy

be very self-organised with good time management skills, including the desire to work
independently and take ownership of their work

have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment to very tight deadlines

be numerate and have a good eye for detail and presentation

make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Sandwich Student,
Financing Branch
Range:
B
Fiscal
Team:
Debt & Reserves
Management
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the Debt and Reserves Management (DRM) team and offers an excellent
opportunity to develop analytical skills and to apply your economic knowledge. DRM is one
of the three fiscal policy teams within the Treasury’s Fiscal group and works closely with
other teams in the group and across the Treasury. DRM is responsible for the efficient
management of the Government’s debt and its holdings of currency reserves, the Treasury’s
shareholder interest in the Bank of England, the procurement of coinage from the Royal
Mint and policy towards banknotes. DRM works closely with a number of important
stakeholders: the Debt Management Office, the Bank of England, National Savings &
Investments and the Royal Mint.
Role Profile
This job offers an excellent opportunity for candidates with a strong interest in economic
and financial market analysis. Working with other members of the team (the financing
branch and the reserves and markets branch in particular), the successful candidate will play
a key role in producing high quality briefing and analysis covering the financial markets and
the Government’s debt operations. The postholder will also contribute to published
documents and important internal analysis.
In particular, the postholder’s main duties will include:







producing regular financial market updates and analysis;
briefing Ministers and colleagues on the results of the Government’s financing
operations;
assisting with the production of the team’s inputs into the Budget and other
published documents, including the annual Debt and Reserves Management report;
replying to correspondence from the general public to Treasury Ministers and
drafting replies to MPs on behalf of Ministers where appropriate;
dealing with enquiries and requests from other Treasury teams, government
departments and the general public;
dealing with ad hoc requests for briefing and information from colleagues; and
supporting the work of the financing branch, the reserves and markets branch and
the team in general.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of
macroeconomics. An interest in financial markets would be an advantage. The work of the
branch requires regular contact with the Debt Management Office and other stakeholders, so
well developed communication skills would also be an advantage. The jobholder will be highly
numerate and organised with a good eye for detail and presentation. A willingness to work
quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential. The jobholder will make extensive
use of Microsoft Office software including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook; familiarity
with these packages is not required as training can be provided, but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Student Economist
Range:
Student
Economics
Team:
Economic Assessment,
Business & Trade Branch
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the Economic Assessment (EA) team and offers an excellent opportunity
to develop analytical skills, including economic theory and econometrics, and to apply them
to the Treasury’s objectives. EA is one of the four UK macroeconomic teams within the
Economics Group, which works closely together and with other teams in the group and
across the Treasury.
The team currently consists of four branches which provide regular briefing, updates and
analysis on UK macroeconomic issues and data releases:




GDP & Inflation
Labour Markets & Regions
Households
Business & Trade
This role is in the Business Sector branch, which focuses on issues related to trade, balance
of payments including foreign direct investment, and business investment.
Role Profile
This is an exciting post at the heart of Treasury macroeconomics. The student will work with
the Business & Trade branch to provide regular ministerial briefing and support ongoing
economic analysis while also getting involved with wider Treasury policy teams around fiscal
events.
The post will allow the development of strong skills in macroeconomic analysis, research,
data management and interpretation, writing and organising.
Responsibilities will include:

Producing regular briefing on the latest UK Economic data released by the ONS, as well
as new data releases by trade bodies on important developments in the UK economy
 Supporting the branch in the lead up to fiscal events and project work throughout the
year.
 Supporting Treasury Ministers by attending economic debates in Parliament and
providing briefing on the UK economy.
 Supporting other members of the branch in data collection and economic presentations
for various audiences
 Conducting own research and analysis on current economic issues
Key competences & skills
This role would be ideally suited to an enthusiastic and proactive individual with an interest
in macroeconomics, particularly the external sector, who is a keen to develop their
economic skills further. The jobholder will be highly numerate and have a good attention for
detail and presentation, with an ability to work quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines.
Familiarity with software packages including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and Stata
would be beneficial, although not a prerequisite, as training will be provided.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Student Economist
Range:
Student
Placement Student, GDP
and Inflation branch
Team:
Economic Assessment
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the Economic Assessment (EA) team and offers an excellent opportunity
to develop analytical skills, including economic theory and econometrics, and to apply them
to the Treasury’s objectives. EA is one of the three UK macroeconomic teams within the
Economics Group, which work closely together and with other teams in the directorate and
across the Treasury. EA’s remit is to deliver policy-relevant macroeconomic analysis of the
most important sectors of the UK economy to support the Government’s targets. The team
has four branches – covering the business sector and trade, labour market and regions, the
household sector and GDP & inflation. EA is a friendly team, which actively encourages
flexible working patterns and the professional development of its staff.
Role Profile
This job offers an excellent opportunity for candidates with a strong interest in
macroeconomic analysis. Working with other members of the branch, the successful
candidate will play a key role in producing high quality briefing and analysis covering GDP, its
components and inflation – contributing both to substantial projects and shorter pieces of
analysis.
In particular, the postholder’s main duties will include:







Contributing to the production of regular briefing material on output and inflation
statistics;
Producing and contributing to longer-term analytical projects;
Replying to correspondence from the general public to Treasury Ministers, and
drafting Ministerial Correspondence replies where appropriate;
Updating internal short term forecasts of inflation and GDP and running
comparisons with external forecasts;
Dealing with ad-hoc enquiries and requests from other Treasury teams, government
departments and the general public;
Maintaining the branch’s intranet and databases to ensure that key information is
available for other Treasury users;
Taking part in wider team and Treasury projects.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of both
macro and microeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills further.
The jobholder will be highly numerate and have a good eye for detail and presentation. A
willingness to work quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential. The jobholder
will make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook
and Stata. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite, as training will be provided,
but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Placement Student,
Household Sector
Branch/Labour Market
& the Regions Branch
Range:
Student
Economics
Team:
Economic Assessment
Line Managers:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the Economic Assessment (EA) team and offers an excellent opportunity
to develop analytical skills, including economic theory and econometrics, and to apply them
to the Treasury’s objectives. EA is one of the three UK macroeconomic teams within the
Economics Group, which work closely together and with other teams in the directorate and
across the Treasury. EA’s remit is to deliver policy-relevant macroeconomic analysis of the
most important sectors of the UK economy to support the Government’s targets. The team
has four branches – covering the business sector and trade, labour market and regions, the
household sector and GDP & inflation. EA is a friendly team, which actively encourages
flexible working patterns and the professional development of its staff.
Role Profile
This job offers an excellent opportunity for candidates with a strong interest in
macroeconomic analysis. Working with other members of the branches, the successful
candidate will play a key role in producing high quality briefing and analysis covering the
housing and household sector – contributing both to substantial projects and shorter pieces
of analysis.
In particular, the postholder’s main duties will include:








Contributing to the production of regular briefing material on retail sales, consumer
confidence, house prices and mortgage approvals
Producing and contributing to longer-term research projects
Replying to correspondence from the general public to Treasury Ministers, and
drafting Ministerial Correspondence replies where appropriate
Updating briefs on labour markets, housing, consumption, personal debt and the
savings ratio on an ad-hoc basis but often to tight deadlines
Updating labour market and regional briefing notes on an ad-hoc basis but often to
tight deadlines
Dealing with enquiries and requests from other Treasury teams, government
departments and the general public
Maintaining the branch’s SharePoint and databases to ensure that key information is
available for other Treasury users
Taking part in wider team and Treasury events
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of both
macro and microeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills further.
The jobholder will be highly numerate and organised with a good eye for detail and
presentation. A willingness to work quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential.
The jobholder will make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint,
Word, Outlook and Stata. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite, as training will
be provided, but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Placement Student
Range:
Student
Enterprise and Growth
Team:
Energy, Environment
and Agriculture
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
This post is in the Energy, Environment and Agriculture (EEA) team, one of the largest in the
Enterprise and Growth Unit (EGU). The post provides an opportunity to develop analytical
skills, including economic theory, in the context of real-world policy development. As the
Spending Team for DECC and Defra, EEA works closely with colleagues across the Treasury
and across Whitehall.
The team currently consists of four branches: i) Energy, which deals with the UK’s energy
wholesale and retail markets, the UK’s energy mix and investment (including new nuclear)
and energy prices and bills; ii) Climate Change, which deals with carbon targets, the path to
2050 as well as domestic policy such as energy efficiency and fuel poverty; iii) DECC
Spending and Performance, which looks after DECC financial management and budgets; and
iv) Defra Spending and Performance, which looks after Defra financial management and
budgets, as well as managing most Treasury policy interests in the department’s work.
EEA works with many teams across HMT, including other spending teams and General
Expenditure Policy. We also work frequently with Private Offices, particularly the
Chancellor’s and Chief Secretary’s, to provide briefing and advice on DECC and Defra
policies. The team also works closely with DECC and Defra. Working in EEA provides an
excellent opportunity to learn about the Treasury’s role in Whitehall and to contribute to
ongoing policy debates.
Role Profile
This is an exciting post working on high profile policies. The student will work across all four
branches of the team.
The post will allow the development of strong skills in economic analysis, research, data
management and interpretation, writing and organising.
Responsibilities will include:






Supporting other members of the team in economic analysis and data collection.
Working with Spending Principals to monitor DECC and Defra spending and supporting
the team at fiscal events.
Support the team with policy development and evaluation.
Conducting own research and analysis on current energy, environment and agriculture
issues
Completing corporate projects.
Producing regular roundups of press and think tank pieces relating to the energy,
environment and agriculture fields.

Taking responsibility in the team for important correspondence including Ministerial
letters, FoIs and Parliamentary Questions.
There will also be scope for the student to tailor the role to their own interests and undertake
their own projects, including research and analysis.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with strong microeconomic
knowledge and a keen interest in using their economic skills in real-world policy
development. Ideally, the jobholder would have a keen interest in energy and environmental
policy. The jobholder will be eager to learn with a close eye for detail and an ability to
engage with a range of stakeholders. Given that much of EEA’s work can be in reaction to
policy decisions or requests made elsewhere, flexibility and a willingness to work to short
deadlines will be very useful. The post will require regular use of standard computer
packages, such as Word, Excel and Outlook, so familiarity with these would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
European Economic
Analyst
Range:
Student
Group:
International and EU
Team:
EU Economics and Policy
Line Manager:
Current
holder:
post-
Background information
As a member of the EU Economics and Policy (EUEP) team you will be at the heart of HMT’s
EU agenda, one of the Chancellor’s major policy priorities. The European economics student
will be involved in our work on key European issues, including surveillance of all European
economies and the European Central Bank (ECB). You will also engage in cross cutting analysis
that supports not only your branch, but also the wider EUEP team and International and EU
group.
The EUEP team currently consists of four branches:
 Economic Policy, which is responsible for EU structural reform policy and processes,
including the single market, trade, competitiveness;
 EU Governance and Reform, which leads on EMU reform, Treasury interests in the
Future of Europe agenda, and EU economic governance;
 Trade and Analysis, which brings together the Treasury’s work on the economics of
EU and multilateral trade, and agriculture policy;
 European Macro Analysis, which has overall responsibility for euro area crisis
response, assessing European and euro area macroeconomic prospects more widely,
and European Central Bank monetary policy.
Role Profile
The student will:
 Identify and undertake relevant, robust and innovative economic analysis to boost
HMT’s knowledge base and understanding of key European economic issues. You will
produce policy relevant value-added research, reflecting EUEP’s priorities; and identify
and undertake a research based project with a completion date of at the latest July 2017
that will analyse data, add value to EUEP, answer a key topical question and possibly be
beneficial as the basis of a final year dissertation.
 Contribute actively in assisting EUEP, IEU and outside stakeholders in maintaining
awareness about euro area economic developments. You will: 1) contribute to the
production of timely, concise euro area economic briefing, which analyses key data and
is circulated within HMT on GDP statistics, interest rate decisions, bank lending,
unemployment and inflation; 2) circulate across HMT the most relevant external
economic research reports on a regular basis; 3) assist with data research and analysis
and provide a flexible and responsive service to stakeholders and team members as and
when required; and 4) be available and flexible to assist the team with any further
required tasks.

Develop professionally. This position provides an excellent opportunity for you to gain
a deep knowledge of European economic issues by working in one of Europe’s largest
finance ministries, keeping abreast of real-time developments, reading a wide range of
relevant literature, and attending a variety of seminars and conferences inside and
outside HMT. You will also have the opportunity to further your IT and economic skills
by attending training courses on Bloomberg, DataStream, Microsoft packages and
specific areas of economics that are of interest to you.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for a proactive individual with a strong knowledge of macroeconomics, a keen
interest in EU issues, and a desire to develop their economic skills further. The jobholder will
be highly numerate, precise, and a strong communicator. A willingness to work quickly and
accurately and to tight deadlines is essential. The jobholder will regularly use software
packages including Bloomberg, DataStream, Excel and Outlook; familiarity with these
packages is not a prerequisite, as training will be provided.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Placement Student
Range:
Student
Group:
International & EU
Team:
Global Economics
TBC
Current postholder:
Line Manager:
Background information
International and Europe (IEU) Group
The International and Europe (IEU) Group is responsible for promoting and protecting the
UK’s economic and fiscal interests overseas. We support the Chancellor and senior officials
in building relations with key international partners and represent the UK in the EU, G7, G20,
IMF, Paris Club, FATF, EIB and EBRD. We also analyse macroeconomic developments at a
country, regional and global level; take forward the Treasury’s interests in specific issues
from counter illicit finance and asset freezing to climate change, energy; and ensure value
for money from the EU budget and DfID spending.
The Global Economics (GE) team
The GE team works at the heart of IEU on some of the most high-profile and important
international issues facing the UK. The team is responsible for economic policy advice on key
global issues, prospects and risks, and is responsible for surveillance of almost all
international economies and central banks beyond the UK’s borders. The team also leads on
the economic and financial aspects of our bilateral relationships with key partners, including
the US, Germany, France, Ireland, China, India, Brazil and Japan.
The team currently comprises three branches, each with 3-4 officials:



The Global Economic and Americas branch, led by the (E2) Head of International
Economics, which leads on our overall assessment of the global economy, and our
analysis/advice with the countries of the Americas (excluding Brazil, but including
the US, Canada, Mexico, and other Latin American countries). The student post is
based in this branch but the role will cover all aspects of the team’s role.
The Emerging Markets Economics and Policy branch, which leads our relationships
with the key emerging markets, especially China, India and Brazil including the three
Economic and Financial Dialogues.
The Eurasia and Australasia branch which leads on economics and policy with
respect to Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and East Asia; the economics of China; and leads
and coordinates cross-cutting work on monetary and fiscal policy.
The team works in as flexible and collaborative a fashion as possible to deal with the
challenges presented by this fast-moving policy area. We work very closely with our sister
teams, the EU Economics and Policy team (EUEP), and the International Institutions and
Policy team (IIP). We also work extremely closely with the FCO, including British Embassies
overseas and UK delegations to international institutions, the Cabinet Office, and a number
of other Groups in the Treasury: Financial Stability, Financial Services, and Enterprise and
Growth.
Role Profile
As a part of the Global Economics (GE) team you will be at the heart of HMT’s international
policy agenda, one of the Chancellors major policy priorities. You will be involved in the work
of the team on the global economic outlook and risks; policy and economic analysis work on
major advanced and emerging economies; and cross-cutting economic analysis. Their work
will support not only the GE Team, but also the Treasury’s wider International and EU Group.
The Global Prospects and Risks will be expected to:



Identify and undertake relevant, robust and innovative economic analysis to boost
the HMT’s knowledge base and understanding of key International economic issues.
You will produce policy relevant value-added research, reflecting GE’s priorities; and
identify and undertake a research based project with a completion date of at the
latest July 2016 which will analyse data, add value to GE, answer a key topical question
and possibly be beneficial as the basis of a final year dissertation
Contribute actively in assisting GE, IEU and outside stakeholders in maintaining an
awareness about global economic developments. You will: 1) contribute to the
production of timely, concise global economy and emerging markets economic
briefing, which analyses key data and which is circulated within HMT; 2) contribute to
the success of the Treasury’s’ biannual Global Economy Outlook 3) assist with data
research and analysis and provide a flexible and responsive service to stakeholders
and team members as and when required; and 4) be available and flexible to assist
the team with any further required tasks and administration or logistical issues.
Develop professionally. You will have to learn, develop and further IT and economics
skills through attendance of training courses on Microsoft packages, Datastream,
Bloomberg and economics courses and through on the job experience. You will need
to attend and be a credible representative at seminars and conferences inside and
outside HMT and feedback to GE team members; stay abreast of broad literature and
developments relating to relevant global economic issues; and at all times support
appropriate knowledge management. You will have the opportunity to undertake
corporate/business
Key competencies and skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of
macroeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills further. A particular
interest in international economics or global economic policy would be desirable, but not
essential. The jobholder will be highly numerate and have a good eye for detail and
presentation. A willingness to work quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential.
The jobholder will make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint,
DataStream, Bloomberg, Word, and Outlook. Familiarity with these packages is not a
prerequisite, as training will be provided, but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Student economist,
Economics of
Productivity.
Range:
Student
Enterprise and Growth
Unit (EGU)
Team:
Growth and Productivity
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
This post is in the economics branch of the Growth and Productivity team (GP).
GP is at the heart of the Treasury’s role as an economics ministry. This means that GP leads
the Treasury’s interests in the government’s mission to raise productivity and promote
sustainable long run economic growth. The issue of productivity has been brought centre
stage by the publication of the government’s Productivity Plan in July 2015. The team - and in
particular the economics branch – led the development of the plan and GP is now focused on
ensuring that this plan gets delivered.
GP also plays the central role in producing and co-ordinating the growth elements of the
Budget, Autumn Statement and Spending Review.
Role Profile
Previous students have made important contributions to the work of GP. Responsibilities
include:

Managing a seminar series with leading economics speakers – in the past this has
included speakers from the FT, Goldman Sachs and across academia.

Authoring a regular round up of relevant economics research from leading think
tanks and academic journals, for circulation throughout the Treasury.

Providing briefing for ministers and senior officials on productivity issues. One
recent placement student authored slides that were presented at the Cabinet.

Contributing to, and leading, in-depth research projects on constraints and
opportunities for UK productivity growth. In the past this has included discrete
projects on women’s contribution to the economy; the management of family firms,
and; the history of UK productivity growth.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual who is interested in applying
economics to public policy issues. They should have an ability to work independently and,
critically, a willingness to learn and improve, building on feedback.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Line Manager:
International Tax
Surveillance
Range:
Student
Business & International
Tax
Team:
International Tax
Current postholder:
Background information
This is a demanding and rewarding role in the International Tax Team, which sits within the
wider Business and International Tax Group (BIT). BIT provides strategic oversight of business,
environmental, transport, property, VAT and excise taxes that together raise revenue of over
£200bn a year, to deliver policy change in consultation with key stakeholders, to handle the
UK’s relationships with other countries, the EU and international institutions on tax issues,
and to manage and mitigate risks to the UK’s tax base including through tackling avoidance
and evasion. The International Tax Team is responsible for the international tax architecture,
protecting UK tax sovereignty and influencing international institutions and countries on tax
policy.
Sandwich student role profile
The student will lead on the tax surveillance activites for HM Treasury and will contribute to
the wider policy work of the international tax team. This is a cross-cutting role designed to
support an informed approach to UK tax policy-making and to our international negotiations
in the tax area.
Main tasks and responsibilities:

Monitoring and analysing key developments in international tax and in the tax
policies of other countries.

Drafting/maintaining a set of background documents on other countries’ approaches
to tax issues.

Keeping HM Treasury informed of tax-related news stories through regular email
updates.

Maintaining databases of cross-country comparisons of tax rates and structures.

Producing the annual detailed surveillance publication, International Tax
Comparisons.

Responding to requests from colleagues for reports on tax policy in other countries
and comparisons across tax regimes and structures.

Drafting background and briefing papers on topical international tax policy issues,
including (where relevant) other countries’ elections and budgets.

Contributing to the International Tax “Knowledge Bank” section of the intranet site,
including through the drafting of guidance documents for use by non-tax colleagues.
The role provides an excellent opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of international
tax issues, negotiations and other countries’ tax policy agendas. It also provides the postholder with an opportunity to own a specific work area and develop skills in managing their
own time in response to deadlines. The role also involves building relationships with key
stakeholders both within and outside HM Treasury (including British Embassies abroad). Post
holders are also strongly encouraged to develop as economists by attending regular seminars
and presentations organised both within and outside HMT.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual who:
 is able to gather information from a range of relevant sources inside and outside HMT
and can use this to inform their work;
 has strong interpersonal skills and is able to engage effectively with internal and external
stakeholders;
 is able to see the links across issues;
 has good analytical capabilities and can pick up new concepts quickly;
 can work independently and wants to take ownership of their work;
 has good time management skills and can deliver to tight deadlines;
 has strong writing skills and an eye for detail;
 is able to use software packages including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
The student does not need to have in-depth knowledge of either domestic or international
tax (although any prior knowledge will help).
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Economics
Line Manager:
Range:
Student
Team:
IUK/EGU
Current postholder:
Background information
This is a joint post in the Infrastructure UK Strategy and Public Private Partnership (PPP)
teams, both part of Infrastructure UK (IUK). It offers an excellent opportunity to develop
analytical skills, including economic theory and econometrics, and to apply them to the
Treasury’s objectives. Infrastructure UK is a unit of HM Treasury, working alongside the
Enterprise and Growth Unit and spending teams in the wider Treasury. It provides advice to
Ministers on infrastructure issues and, given its remit to take a cross cutting approach to
infrastructure, also works closely with other government Departments with a strong interest
in infrastructure issues.
The IUK Strategy team leads HM Treasury’s work on the development of new policies and
strategic priorities in the economic infrastructure sectors. The team is responsible for the
development of the National Infrastructure Plan, working with departments across
Whitehall on the policies that affect infrastructure development, and ensuring that the
Government as a whole has the capability to deliver major infrastructure.
The Public Private Partnerships (PPP) team sets policy for PPP projects in England, although
works closely with colleagues in the devolved administrations. PPPs have been used to
deliver investment in schools, hospitals and other public buildings, new roads, roads
maintenance, street lighting and defence accommodation and equipment projects. The
Private Finance Initiative (the most common form of PPP in the UK) was subject to a public
call for evidence and review and was amended and re-launched as PF2 in 2012. The team is
working closely with the Departments for Education and Health on their new PF2 projects,
and working across the portfolio of 700+ projects to find efficiencies in those contracts.
Role Profile
This is an exciting post at the heart of Treasury. The student will work across the two teams.
The post will allow the development of strong skills in economic analysis and research.
Responsibilities will include:





Gather international evidence on appraisal and evaluation of infrastructure across
sectors to inform about best practice
Expand the evidence base on the impact of infrastructure on growth and productivity.
Develop the evidence base for the use of PPPs, gathering data and producing analysis on
the relative performance of infrastructure and assets delivered through PPPs and
conventionally funded delivery methods
Support other members of the IUK Strategy team in defining the economic and
statistical content of the National Infrastructure Plan.
Conducting own research and analysis on current economic issues related to
infrastructure.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of
microeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills further. The
jobholder will be highly numerate and have a good eye for detail and presentation. A
willingness to work collaboratively, quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential.
The jobholder will make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint,
Word, Outlook and Stata. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite, as training
will be provided, but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Local authority forecast
analyst
Range:
Student
Public Services Group
Team:
Local Government and
Reform Team
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the capital branch of the Local Government and Reform team and is an
excellent opportunity to develop and apply analytical and economic skills. The team is within
the Public Services Group and has responsibility for local government spending, which
accounts for 25% spending. The capital branch leads on local authority capital, local authority
borrowing and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) forecasting. This post will focus on
producing the Local Authority Self-Financed Expenditure (LASFE) forecast for the Office of
Budget Responsibility, working with other members of the branch but leading on certain
specific aspects and analysis. LASFE is a complex forecast with numerous interdependent
elements, and involves using local authority data, economic determinants and broader
intelligence to determine the likely behaviour of over 350 autonomous bodies.
Role Profile
This job offers an excellent opportunity for candidates with an interest in both economics
and public spending to understand the way in which public spending is forecast.
In particular, the postholder’s main duties will include:





Working with other members of the branch to produce the Local Authority SelfFinanced Expenditure forecast and present it to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Maintaining excellent relationships with a wide range of colleagues – within HMT
and beyond – who are able to contribute analysis and intelligence for the forecast.
Ongoing monitoring of local government financial information and its implications,
and carrying out and contributing to analytical work on specific aspects of the
forecast.
Leading on the team’s day to day interactions with the Public Works Loan Board,
which issues loans to local authorities, including monitoring their daily lending and
producing a monthly update for senior HMT colleagues on local authority borrowing
behaviour.
Dealing with ad-hoc enquiries and requests from other Treasury teams, government
departments and local authorities, and contributing to the briefing and
correspondence.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong interest in
economics and public spending, who is prepared to get to grips with a technical area which
has important implications for the public finances. The jobholder will be highly numerate
and have a good eye for detail and presentation. A willingness to work quickly and
accurately and to tight deadlines is essential. Familiarity with Excel is highly desirable, as the
post holder would lead on producing, managing and manipulating the multiple spreadsheets
involved in the LASFE forecast.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Student Economist
Range:
Student
Economics
Team:
Macroeconomic
Coordination and
Strategy
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the Macroeconomic Coordination and Strategy (MCS) team and offers an
excellent opportunity to develop analytical skills and to apply them to the Treasury’s
objectives. MCS is one of the two UK macroeconomic teams within the Economics Group,
which works closely together and with other teams in the group and across the Treasury.
The team currently consists of the following branches: i) macroeconomic strategy, which
includes contributing to speeches by the Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers and
providing key material for parliamentary debates and press engagement; ii) international
organisations, which coordinates external surveillance of the UK economy by the IMF and
OECD; and iii) monetary policy framework, which is responsible for advice on monetary
policy and works on a wide range of research and analysis. The team also acts as Secretariat
for the Economic Risks Group, prepares the Chief Economic Adviser’s regular economy
updates to the Chancellor, and leads on presentation of the Government’s economic
strategy in Treasury publications and external fora.
MCS plays a central, cross-cutting role in economics group. By liaising closely with other
teams, MCS provides an interface between the Treasury’s specialist economists, Ministers
and Press Office as well as Parliament and Whitehall. Working in MCS provides an excellent
opportunity to contribute to the Group’s economic analysis on a wide range of issues.
Role Profile
This is an exciting post at the heart of Treasury macroeconomics. The student will work
across all three branches of the team.
The post will allow the development of strong skills in macroeconomic analysis, research,
data management and interpretation, writing and organising.
Responsibilities will include:






Producing a weekly round-up of the important developments in the UK economy,
including the latest UK economic data and a summary of press commentaries.
Leading on the monthly publication of the Treasury Pocket Databank.
Contributing to the team's weekly publication of Macroeconomic Monitor.
Supporting Treasury Ministers by attending economic debates in Parliament and
providing briefing on the UK economy.
Supporting other members of the branch in data collection and economic presentations
for various audiences.
Conducting own research and analysis on current economic issues.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of both
macroeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills further. The
jobholder will be highly numerate and have an excellent eye for detail and presentation. A
willingness to work quickly and accurately to tight deadlines is essential. The jobholder will
make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint, Thomson Datastream
and Bloomberg. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite, as training will be
provided, but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Assistant Policy Advisor
Range:
Student
Personal Tax, Welfare
and Pensions
Team:
Pensions and Savings
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
The post is within the Pensions and Savings policy team. The team is responsible for setting
tax policy on private pensions, changes to the State Pension, and policy in relation to savings
(e.g. ISA allowances, crowd funding). The Group, PTWP, spans personal taxes, welfare
payments and labour market policies. A variety of tax and spending roles are performed
within the Group, and robust, high quality analysis is needed to support policy making.
Role Profile
The post provides an excellent opportunity to work at the centre of policy development –
the team routinely has to advise the Chancellor and Financial Secretary to the Treasury at
every Autumn Statement and Budget on possible policy changes and announcements.
Experience of tax, pensions and savings policy would put the candidate in a strong position
for graduate applications to work at the Treasury, other Government Departments, the FCA
or the financial services industry.
The student will be expected to work flexibly across the pensions and savings team.
Depending on policies announced at Budget 2016, the student is likely to be involved in:
 Performing the analysis for changes to savings tax incentives in order to advise
Ministers on policy change, e.g. the economic case for raising or lowering ISA limits.
 Drafting policy advice to Ministers and attending face-to-face Ministerial briefings
on pensions and savings issues.
 Assisting with the development and delivery of primary legislation on any changes to
pensions tax (this may be part of the Finance Bill, or a separate piece of legislation).
This would involve a combination of analytical work and attending Parliament to
support Ministers during debates.
 Developing policy on different types of savings products, e.g. new types of ISAs,
extensions to the Personal Savings Allowance.
 Responding to Ministerial and public correspondence and Parliamentary Questions
on pensions and savings.
The team also includes two branches that deal with the State Pension and Welfare Projects.
If work on the private pensions and savings areas of the team is quieter, the student may be
asked to assist these other branches on a short to medium term basis.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a particularly strong
knowledge of microeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills
further. The jobholder will be highly numerate and have a good eye for detail and
presentation. A willingness to work quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential.
The jobholder will make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint,
Word, Outlook and Stata. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite, as training
will be provided, but would be an advantage.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Student Economist
Strategy Planning
Budget
Line Manager:
Background information
Range:
& Team:
Student (B)
Strategy Planning
Budget
&
Current post-holder:
This post sits within the Economics branch in the Strategy Planning and Budget team.
The branch acts as a center of economic expertise, providing economic support across HM
Treasury tax teams. It plays a central analytical role in the Budget and Autumn Statement process
providing economic analysis of tax policies to Ministers and the OBR. It also leads on cross-cutting
strategic economic analysis across a range of subjects.
Role Profile
This job offers an excellent opportunity for candidates with strong analytical and economic skills
to conduct analysis that will inform policy development. The role requires the student to support
colleagues to ensure the delivery of the scorecard is efficient and timely at both Budget and
Autumn Statement. They will also need to liaise with other teams within HM Treasury and
develop a wider understating of the workings of government as a whole.
The post holder will also have the opportunity to interact with the private and academic sectors
through external seminars and events, where they will act as a representative for the branch and
relay information back to the team.
The student in the branch is responsible for:
 Using economic analysis and research to influence future tax policy.
 Coordinating the State of the Tax and Welfare System seminar series
 Developing links with Think Tanks and academics, ensuring strategic engagement with
external stakeholder on relevant issues.
 Supporting other colleagues to ensure the delivery of the scorecard is efficient and
timely, with accurate content at both Budget and Autumn Statement

Leading other ad-hoc economic projects undertaken by the Economics Branch.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an individual with an ability to apply and explain ideas and economic concepts
within a policy framework. Particularly, we are looking for someone with:
 enthusiasm and high levels of motivation, a good self-starter who likes to take
responsibility over his or her own work;
 strong numeracy and analytical skills, able to quickly grasp and analyse issues;
 good inter-personal skills, enjoys working with different people; and

an interest in public economics, a good awareness of welfare economics and particularly
the economics of taxation (would be desirable but not essential).
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Student Economist
Range:
B
Group:
Financial Stability
Team:
System Stability and
Analysis
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
This is a fantastic role in the System Stability and Analysis (SSA) team in Financial Stability
Group for a Student Economist with an interest in macroeconomics and the financial
markets.
The Financial Stability Group has the aim of securing the stability of the UK financial sector
for the benefit of the UK economy. For example, we are responsible for: intervening
directly to manage the provision and withdrawal of public support for the financial
services sector, including effective stewardship of Government-supported banks, RBS and
Lloyds; ensuring the authorities have the appropriate toolkit for dealing with future
financial firm failures and planning for future stability events; developing and maintaining
effective systems to monitor and assess micro- and macro prudential financial stability
risks; managing the macro prudential framework, including the Bank of England’s Financial
Policy Committee’s (FPC) remit and tools; and co-ordinating the Treasury’s input into the
global Financial Stability Board (FSB).
We are a diverse, energetic and mutually supportive group committed to working cooperatively on a challenging policy agenda. Financial Stability Group is friendly and
dynamic and has some of the most interesting work in the Treasury. Our work demands a
rewarding combination of specialist knowledge and strategic thinking; its broad, crosscutting themes require that we work flexibly with each other and across the FS and
macroeconomic groups.
Within Financial Stability Group, working in SSA offers excellent exposure to a wide array
of policy and analytical functions. We are responsible for the burgeoning field of macro
prudential policy and risk assessment, including supporting the Treasury’s representative
on the FPC; structural reform, including the ring-fencing of UK banks; and providing
analytical expertise across the Financial Stability and Financial Services groups.
SSA plays a central, cross-cutting role in the Financial Stability Group and in the Treasury
as a whole. We work closely with economists and policy advisers across the Treasury and
the Bank of England, as well as other external stakeholders. Working in SSA will allow the
Student Economist both to develop specialist knowledge in a fascinating subject area as
well as gain exposure to the Treasury’s Ministers and senior officials.
Role Profile
This is a Student Economist post in a cutting-edge area of Financial Stability with real
responsibility from day one.
The Student Economist will mostly work in the Macro prudential Policy Unit, which leads on
HMT’s engagement with the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), an independent policy
committee of the Bank of England that acts as the UK’s macro prudential authority. The FPC
is responsible for the stability and resilience of the financial system as a whole, which means
that its remit is very broad. Recent areas covered by the FPC include cyber resilience, market
liquidity, household indebtedness and leverage ratio requirements for UK banks.
They will also spend a small part of their time working in the Resilience and Resolution team,
leading calls with the PRA as part of HM Treasury’s investment bank monitoring process.
There will be opportunities to work across the Treasury and government on a wide range of
issues.
The post will allow the development of strong skills in macro financial analysis,
macroeconomic risk assessment, research, data management and interpretation, writing,
organising and presenting.
Responsibilities will include:

contributing to the Treasury’s engagement with the Financial Stability Report and FPC
meeting rounds

briefing HM Treasury’s member of the FPC

carrying out a research project in an area of macro prudential policy

monitoring HM Treasury’s financial markets risk assessment indicators, using the
Bloomberg terminal and DataStream to extract financial market data

leading quarterly calls with firm supervisors at the PRA to monitor systemically
important firms
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with very good knowledge of
macroeconomics. They will:

have a strong interest in macro prudential policy and financial markets

be very self-organised with good time management skills, including the desire to work
independently and take ownership of their work

have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment to very tight deadlines

be numerate and have a good eye for detail and presentation

make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and
Bloomberg, as well as the opportunity to carry out econometric analysis in Stata or
eViews. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite (training will be provided).
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Business and
International Tax
Line Manager:
Range:
Student
Team:
VAT and Excise
Current postholder:
Background information
This post is in the Alcohol, Tobacco and Indirect Tax Strategy branch within the VAT and
Excise team. The VAT and Excise team is a friendly and supportive team responsible for all
aspects of Government policy on VAT, Insurance Premium Tax and key areas of domestic
and international excise taxation.
Role Profile
This post offers an exciting opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the policy-making
process. The post will provide a clear insight into how economic theory is utilised, alongside
other factors, to make policy decisions. It will allow the development of strong skills in
microeconomic analysis, writing and organising, research and stakeholder handling.
Responsibilities will include:

Monitoring alcohol and tobacco receipts data and providing a regular summary of
trends to senior management;

Conducting own research and analysis on the excise duty regime;

Supporting Treasury Ministers by attending Budget debates in Parliament and
providing briefings on Budget measures; and

Attending and contributing to HM Treasury meetings with key external stakeholders
and other government Departments.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of
microeconomics and a keen interest in developing their economic skills further. The
jobholder will be highly numerate, have good communication skills and be able to manage a
diverse portfolio of work.
ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Group:
Policy Analyst
Range:
Student
Public Spending
Team:
Workforce Pay and
Pensions
Line Manager:
Current postholder:
Background information
This post is in the Workforce Pay and Pensions (WPP) team in the Public Spending Group,
which sits at the heart of the Treasury’s finance ministry function. WPP is a fun, flexible and
committed team working across a complex and challenging agenda. We have hosted a
student post for a significant number of years and received great feedback by providing
experience, accountability, responsibility and a welcoming environment. The team adopts a
flat structure and we work hard to support each other in delivering our work and developing
ourselves, as well as having an unmissable monthly team social event.
The WPP team sets the overarching policy positions on public sector pay and pensions to
support the Government’s programme of economic and public service reform. Spending on
pay and pensions is around £170 billion a year, which is about one in every four pounds
spent by the Government. Therefore our work is of crucial importance to reducing the
deficit.
As a major part of the total remuneration package for 5.3 million public sector workers
across the UK, pay and pensions can also critically affect delivery of high quality public
services. As part of the economics ministry function we aim to maximise the value of this
spending as well as maintaining and improving recruitment, retention and motivation of
public sector workers in the context of challenging pay settlements and a changing policy
landscape.
To develop, implement and evaluate policy WPP works closely with various teams across
Treasury, other government departments, trade unions, professional actuarial advisers and
other specialists. This includes monitoring the latest developments in the public sector and
wider economy to ensure that our policies are effective, and providing figures, analysis and
briefing for Ministers and senior officials. The work is intellectually stimulating and watched
closely by Treasury Ministers and Secretaries of State across Whitehall.
Role Profile
This post is in the Pay branch of WPP, which provides a centre of expertise on public sector
pay policy in a fast paced environment.
It offers an opportunity to make a real impact in a high-profile area of Government policy
while developing a variety of practical skills that will aid you throughout your future career.
The role can be tailored to suit the individual but is likely to involve:
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Working on annual reviews of specific public sector pay policy areas, for example a
review of off payroll staff across departments.
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Providing briefing to Ministers and senior officials, as well as preparing responses to
correspondence and Parliamentary Questions on pay and pensions issues.
Supporting members of the branch to develop the Government’s economic evidence
on public sector pay and pension policy for engagement with key stakeholders.
Conducting research and analysis on emerging policy issues.
Producing timely analysis and interpretation of earnings and employment data
across the public sector and whole economy to support the team’s work.
Taking responsibility to lead on the annual data collection exercise on pay and
workforce information across all civil service departments and workforces, and
producing analysis and results in an annual report.
Getting involved in team social activities.
Along with this work, there will be a variety of other opportunities to work across the team,
as well as with other colleagues in HMT and other government departments.
Key competences & skills
We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive individual with a strong knowledge of
macro and microeconomics, interest in policy development, and a willingness to develop
their economic and analytical skills further.
The jobholder will be numerate, have a good eye for detail and be able to present complex
information in a clear, compelling way, both verbally and through their drafting. A
willingness to work quickly and accurately and to tight deadlines is essential.
The jobholder will make extensive use of software packages including Excel, PowerPoint,
Word and Outlook. Familiarity with these packages is not a prerequisite, as training will be
provided, but would be an advantage.
DEPARTMENT:
HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE)
LOCATION:
LIVERPOOL
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
1
SALARY:
£18,500
Team / Directorate: Economic and Social Analysis Unit
Eligibility
To be eligible applicants must be studying for a degree in economics or a joint degree where
economics comprises at least 50% of the total course. They must also be on course for a 2:1 or 1st
class degree. More information on the eligibility criteria and completing the application form can be
found on the Civil Service Website.
Applicants for Government Economics Service (GES) posts must be UK nationals, Commonwealth
citizens, members of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss nationals who have the right to live
and work in the United Kingdom.
Background
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain.
It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions and
employs over 3,000 staff.
HSE’s Economic and Social Analysis Unit (ESAU) is based in Redgrave Court, a purpose-built
headquarters 10 minutes from Liverpool city centre. Economists work alongside other analysts e.g.
statisticians and social researchers, getting involved in strategy, policy, operational planning and
corporate support.
Economics in HSE
Health and safety regulation affects the entire population, both those at work and those affected (or
potentially affected) by work activities. So HSE economists may have to deal with questions on a wide
range of issues every day. For example:
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What are the labour market effects of new health and safety at work regulations?
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How much does it cost to reduce the number of occupational cancers?
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What value can we place on the safety of the UK’s nuclear power stations and oil refineries?
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What are the effects of a recession on health and safety outcomes?
HSE economists play a crucial role in determining the appropriate type and level of government
intervention in response to workplace death, injury and ill health. They are at the forefront of debates
concerning risk control and better regulation.
ESAU is part of the Science Directorate, which also includes social researchers, statisticians,
psychologists and other specialists. ESAU consists of seven economist positions, six social researchers
and one psychologist.
The unit provides excellent opportunities for a sandwich placement student to be exposed to high
profile work and senior staff in HSE.
Examples of work undertaken by HSE economists
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Contributing to government Impact Assessments and cost benefit analysis of proposed
government interventions.
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Work to estimate the costs to Britain of workplace injuries and work related ill health
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Evaluations of government interventions.
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Research projects on topical or relevant areas of economics, such as Behavioural
Economics, the Economics of Enforcement and valuation projects.
Examples of work undertaken by previous sandwich placement students
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Contribution to impact assessments;
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Input to questionnaire design to evaluate the cost of the Offshore Major Hazard regime;
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Updating valuation models and presenting results to other Government Departments
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Creating a database of the cost of health and safety regulations;
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Contributing to HSE internal guidance on how to produce robust impact assessments;
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Writing and presenting seminars for A-Level and undergraduate students at a local
college on behavioural and regulatory economics
Competencies
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
Micro-economic knowledge and analytical skills
Health and safety regulations affect product and labour markets in the UK, including impacts on
productivity and competitiveness. This post requires understanding of the relevant micro economics
for analysis of the impact of regulation on firms and markets.
Communication skills
This job will include close working with economist colleagues, presenting information and writing
reports. It is therefore essential to be able to communicate economic concepts and the results of
economic analysis, clearly and consistently through a variety of means.
Team working
The post holder will work closely with economist colleagues, and may also collaborate with social
researchers, statisticians, technical experts, policy and operational colleagues to achieve good quality
outputs. Strong team working skills are therefore essential.
Initiative and drive for results
The post will require a self-starter, who can take the lead when required and use his or her own
initiative to progress matters when appropriate, and produce high quality results.
For more information on the HSE position, please email Kyran.Donald@hse.gsi.gov.uk
DEPARTMENT:
HOME OFFICE (HO)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
5
SALARY:
£20,521
HOLIDAY:
25 days + bank holidays
The Home Office has a broad and high profile remit that provides its economists with unique
opportunities to apply economics to help the government address some of society's most pressing
problems.
Decision Support for Operations
Posts are available in a multidisciplinary team providing analytical support across a wide range of HO
areas including policing, migration, counter terrorism and corporate services.
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The opportunity to engage in multi-disciplinary work, alongside operational researchers (OR),
helping to incorporate economic principles into OR modelling whilst having exposure to the
tools and techniques employed in OR work;
Advising policy and operational teams on cost-benefit analysis and appraisal;
Supporting HO teams to write business cases for major Home Office capital investment
decisions. Assessing and appraising business cases and advising senior management on
investment decisions.
Some specific Examples Include:
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Determining the optimal location of police helicopter bases and producing a value for money
profile of helicopter flights by mission type for the National Police Air Service;
End to end analysis of the immigration removal system to determine efficiencies in the current
process;
Calculating the economic impact of contraband from entering the country to inform the
Border Force Control Strategy.
Economic Assessment Unit
The Economic Assessment Unit is a fast paced and cross cutting team where you will be able to apply
your economic knowledge to real life policy.
Our main role is to ensure major investment decisions are good value for money. We do this by
supporting and assessing the economic component of business cases that may want to spend anything
from £5m to £500m.
In order to drive up the standard of economic analysis and advice, EAU conducts many exciting cross
cutting projects. Current work includes analysing how the Home Office contributes to economic
growth. This involves applying economic theory to real life policy, analysing how each policy
contributes to the key drivers of growth.
With the Chief Economist as the Head of Unit, you will get to work closely with him in supporting his
role as Head of Profession.
The post would suit an individual who enjoys a challenge; you would be expected to work both
independently on long-term analytical projects as well as collaborating with policy officials in ensuring
our investment decisions are good value for money.
Migration Advisory Committee Secretariat
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body charged with providing evidence
based advice to the Government on migration issues. Sandwich students in the team would be
expected to support the Committee in this function.
The sandwich student post in the MAC secretariat provides an excellent opportunity for an
enthusiastic individual keen to apply their economic and analytical skills in a high profile policy area.
The post will involve working with leading academics, allow you to gain experience of the policy
development process and to develop strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Candidates should have a keen interest in applying economics to public policy, a sound foundation in
microeconomics and macroeconomics, and be innovative in their ability to apply core economic
principles to policy questions. Successful applicants will be able to work independently as well as in a
team, have strong written and oral communication skills, and good analytical and problem solving
skills.
The sandwich student will:
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carry out and coordinate research and economic analysis in order to assist the MAC in
making robust and evidence-based decisions;
draft sections/chapters of published MAC reports and draft and present analytical briefing to
the MAC; and
engage with and represent the MAC at meetings and events with relevant partners,
academics and policy experts;
The sandwich student will be located in the analysis branch of the team, along with six other
economists. Although the MAC itself is an arms-length body, for the duration of the placement the
post-holder would be part of the Home Office’s economist community and have full access to the
networking and learning & development opportunities available to Home Office economists.
Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism Research and Analysis Unit
The OSCTRA unit uses its skills in quantitative and qualitative research to shape and support the policy
stance taken by OSCT. Cost-benefit and value for money analyses, as well as the design of tools or
models are employed to support policy teams across the four strands of the Counter-Terrorism
Strategy (Prevent, Pursue, Protect & Prepare). The team includes social researchers, operational
researchers and economists.
The key responsibilities of OSCT are:
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Supporting policy teams with the formulation of economic impact assessments for projects in
the scope of security and counter-terrorism
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Advising colleagues on business cases, with a particular focus on delivering value for money
and advancing a benefits realisation framework throughout the Home Office
Applying microeconomic concepts in interesting and at times undeveloped areas to monetise
the benefits and costs of particular projects
Teaming up with a diverse analytical team to undertake research and analysis to build and
support a robust evidence base for proposed security policies
A typical day in OSCT might include:
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Meeting with policy teams to collaboratively respond to Ministerial requests in the context of
a proposed security policy
Conducting research to estimate the economic value of a project/policy proposal
An analysis of the impact on UK society if particular Counter-Terrorism measures were
implemented
Engagement with a variety of stakeholders
Developing variables to evaluate the success of a new technology
Explaining economic concepts used to inform your discussion in a way comprehensible to noneconomists
Police Resources Policy Team/Efficiency and Resources Unit
1. Provide economist input into various pieces of work ongoing within Efficiency and Resources
units designed at helping the police achieve best value for money given reducing budgets.
This may include:
a. Input into a London funding model.
b. Evaluation of reallocations from core Government funding for the police to other
organisations or for other projects.
c. Updating and providing analysis of police pay and pensions, including keeping
updated and improving underpinning models.
d. Analysis of the impact of the implementation of proposed new Police Funding
Formula arrangements.
2. Conduct an evaluation exercise of the Police Innovation Fund based on end year returns and
evaluation plans, including an analysis of potential return on investment.
3. Support the HO oversight of arm’s length delivery bodies through research into aspects of
the sectors in which they operate, including developing analysis of the delivery performance
of those bodies.
Crime and Policing Analysis
The Home Office’s Crime and Policing Analysis (CPA) unit works to ensure that Government,
Parliament and the public have the best available evidence, statistics and analysis on crime and
policing. CPA aims to enable well-founded and defensible policymaking. In support of this, the
Economics Team within CPA produces economic analysis across the whole range of crime and policing
policy.
As crime evolves, the challenges of tackling crime also evolve. As such, national crime and policing
policy is changing at a fast pace, and all policy needs to be underpinned by robust assessments of
impacts. The successful candidate will work on different policies related to crime and policing,
assessing the costs and benefits of different policy options, and comparing these with the costs and
benefits of not intervening. Successful applicants will be able to work independently as well as in a
team, have strong written and oral communication skills, and good analytical and problem solving
skills.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop skills in influencing key areas of policy making and
communicating with impact in a fast moving policy environment. Recent examples of projects
include work on estimating the impact of banning New Psychoactive Substances (‘legal highs’),
changing firearms licensing fees, and of protecting victims of domestic violence.
There will also be the opportunity for involvement in longer term research projects, for example on
estimating the costs of crime and evaluating the effectiveness of policing operations. Longer term
projects may require quantitative skills and the use of Stata or SPSS. Balancing short term demands
against longer term deadlines is an important part of this role.
N.B. Applicants must be British Citizens and have been resident in the UK for the last three years.
DEPARTMENT:
OFFICE OF BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY (OBR)
LOCATION:
LONDON
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
2-3
SALARY:
£18,852
Student key roles
1. Managing OBR statistical databases. This includes collating data from Bloomberg, Reuters
Datastream, the ONS and other Government departments which are used in our forecasts
and publications.
2. Producing the OBR economic assumption submissions to send to other Government
departments during fiscal forecasts.
3. Updating, managing and improving the OBR databank.
4. Managing the charts and tables process for our publications, ensuring they are created to
the correct specifications.
5. Analytical support on a wide range of topics for our key publications. In the past, this has
included:
a. International comparisons of deficit reduction approaches across the G7;
b. Supply and demand analysis of movements in oil and commodity prices;
c. Analysis on long-term healthcare spending projections.
DEPARTMENT:
OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS (ONS)
LOCATION:
NEWPORT
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS:
40
SALARY:
£15,709
Job description
Objectives/activities (generic)
- Assessing regular economic statistics releases for 'quality assurance' and economic coherence
- Economic briefing on sectors of the economy to inform compilers of wider economic context
- Analytical notes or articles relating to ONS statistics and economic context, but with a more
medium term focus
- Presentations/seminars on economic developments, in broad terms or in relation to specific
economic statistics
- Contribution to/engagement with learning and development activities for/by economists
- Data 'digging' and research to support analytical work/notes and development of economic
statistics
- Support statistical production areas with research, analysis and development
Competences
- Communicating with others
- Working to deadlines and under pressure
- Delivering quality outputs, to time
- Working with stakeholders/clients (within ONS in the main)
- Working under own direction/initiative - line management is in place, but economists are expected
to manage their workload and take the initiative in driving their objectives/outputs forward.
- Communicating/delivering messages with impact
- Working flexibly within the economics team