Associate Economist in Birmingham

A bit about the role... You will be joining a friendly, highly skilled and experienced team of 15 economists, managed by the Head, Jo Brotherhood, who are committed to making a positive change in delivering against our Investment Strategy and Strategic Objectives. The team is hugely collaborative, dedicated to problem solving and adding value, committed to diversity in experience and perspective. The team are seeking to add capacity and capability in appraising financial investments funded by Homes England’s new National Housing Bank (NHB) under the National Housing Delivery Fund (NHDF). This is a rare chance to be involved in implementing housing and regeneration policy in a fast growing, national organisation with real social purpose.

Working with key stakeholders and a professional team you will add value in an efficient and effective way to solve problems and enable investments for maximum impact and value for money. You will be responsible for assisting with the development and economic appraisal of exciting and ambitious housing and regeneration projects funded by the Bank but also more widely gaining experience on different and complex projects that will transform places and change people's lives. You will play a critical role in developing project business cases, particularly estimating the Value for Money as part of the Economic Cases. You will support the development of processes and tools that the team use in cost benefit analysis. This is an excellent opportunity to be involved in day to day delivery across Homes England whilst also being able to undertake research and demonstrate strategic, innovative and creative thinking to further our intelligence, evidence and continued learning of what works where.

A bit about you… We are looking for someone with analytical skills who is intellectually curious and keen to learn, jump on to projects, share insight, build networks and manage stakeholders in a collaborative, inclusive way. Preferably this will be someone with an interest and previous experience in finance for housing, land, regeneration or economic development, together with some experience of business case development. This will include some experience of undertaking economic analysis or if not, a demonstrable record in data analysis or modelling. Preferably this would include economic appraisal, but the role offers the opportunity to develop these skills. We are looking for someone with a degree level (minimum 2:1) or postgraduate qualification. Or if a career change, working towards obtaining these qualifications with demonstrable numeracy and understanding of economics.

What we offer... As well as a competitive salary and 33 days annual leave, we are committed to 50/50 hybrid working. We’ll support you, wherever possible, so that you don’t miss out on what matters to you. Membership of the Homes and Communities Agency Pension Scheme, which is a contributory defined benefit scheme with the amount you receive on retirement based on your salary and years worked at the Agency. If you are a member of a professional body, we’ll pay for your membership and once you get your digital kit, you’ll be good to go. Homes England are a geographically diverse community. We work to a 50/50 office/home based model. Moving back into our office environments has enabled us to utilise our space and time together in the most collaborative way. You will be required to have the Right to Work in the UK and Homes England do not offer visa sponsorship. If your application is shortlisted to interview we will require you to provide proof of your Right to Work in the UK at this stage.