Senior Assistant Economist

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth. About the Team Fiscal Statistics and Policy (FSP) is a team of analysts and policy professionals, that plays a key role at the centre of the Treasury’s policymaking! We closely monitor the public finances, jointly producing the monthly Public Sector Finances (PSF) statistical release with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The team produces risk, forecasting and scenario analysis on the fiscal position, identifying issues and providing analysis on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forecasts as necessary. We provide advice to the Chancellor on the fiscal framework and, work very closely with other Treasury central fiscal teams, on the fiscal policy judgement at each fiscal event. The team has a key representational role on UK fiscal policy, promoting and defending it to external collaborators including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Credit Rating Agencies. FSP is also the departmental sponsor of the relationship with the OBR. Acting both as its primary customer and relationship manager, and also fulfilling governance roles including handling appointments to the Budget Responsibility Committee. We are a friendly team who are proud of our diversity. About the Job In this role, you will: Develop and utilise an understanding of fiscal economics to provide flexible input into, and influence, policymaking. Build an understanding of more technical economic aspects of fiscal analysis. Conduct economic research on a variety of policy questions critical to strategic UK fiscal policy. Examples of areas that the unit’s analysis is currently, or will be involved in, include the probabilities of meeting fiscal rules, the medium- to long-run fiscal implications of public investment and external imbalances. Ensure that non-specialists can engage with this research. Play a fundamental role in the development and maintenance of Fiscal Group’s economic modelling capability. Examples may include building increased capability to analyse both short- and long-run fiscal scenarios or utilising the Treasury’s new overlapping generations macroeconomic model. Given the fast paced nature of the team’s work, as the SEO subject matter expert, the successful candidate will be able to flexibly support colleagues working on a range of topics to ensure the team can operate efficiently, including analysis on long-run fiscal pressures. Build positive relationships via collaboration with colleagues across the Treasury to identify and develop targeted analysis to inform policy development, and with the OBR and international organisations. The post sits within the Fiscal Statistics and Policy team – a team of analysts and policy advisors that advise ministers on both current and future fiscal policy. Within this, the Fiscal Economics and Sustainability unit has a crucial position in providing timely, quality analysis to input into the most critical fiscal policy issues of the time and ensure decisions reflect the best available evidence. To do this we work with teams across the Treasury, other government departments (OGDs), the UK’s independent fiscal watchdog (OBR), international organisations and academia to draw on a range of perspectives to influence medium- and long-run fiscal strategy. The unit uses a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis to do this. About You This post will suit candidates with excellent analytical skills who are looking for a diverse portfolio and to sit at the centre of UK economic and fiscal policymaking. An analytical degree is essential, but in-depth knowledge about public finances is not expected. We are seeking someone who would be willing and interested in developing an understanding of the public finances and applying it to pressing policy questions. The post holder will need to be a hard-working learner, delivering high-quality analysis and building their own and the team’s capacity and capability, becoming the SEO subject matter expert. Some of the Benefits our people love! 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours) Generous parental and adoption leave packages Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97% Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.