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- Tasks: Lead a team of economists to drive evidence-based decision making for digital government projects.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, the heart of modern digital governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services and help millions access essential support.
- Qualifications: Experience in economic analysis, team management, and stakeholder engagement required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 61000 - 70000 £ per year.
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:
- joining up public sector services
- harnessing the power of AI for the public good
- strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
- elevating leadership and investing in talent
- funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
- committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK's geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government. We're part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
The role of Lead Economist is based in the Economic Analysis Team, which is part of the Product Strategy, Planning and Portfolio directorate, and comprises teams which own performance analysis, strategic planning, product strategy development, and economics. This team is a trusted partner, enabling evidence-based decision making, assuring delivery and coordinating the development on well-informed plans and business cases so that Product Group is able to effectively and efficiently achieve its strategic priorities.
Reporting to the Head of Portfolio Planning and Performance, as the Lead Economist you will head up a team of central economists which is developing a common set of standards, guidance and products for the various development teams within the Product Group to implement into product management ensure best practice in relation to evaluating and evidencing the value delivered by their products for users and government. The role also includes supporting the delivery of planning projects that can emerge such as business cases for Spending Review bids or departmental pivoting for crisis management (e.g. COVID-19 pandemic or EU Exit preparations). You will be providing expert and strategic advice to the wider business, assurance to the Government Chief Product Officer and their Leadership Team, and utilising economic analysis and modelling to assess the viability of new ideas or evaluating the benefits realisation for existing products. This includes working on a high value programme forming part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio.
The right person will join a well-motivated and dynamic multi-disciplinary team working to deliver on our commitments and roadmap. If you care about ensuring vulnerable people can access the services they need, protecting citizens and the public purse against fraud, making it easier and quicker for all of us to get personalised government support and improving policy and service development by harnessing the power of data – this is the role for you.
Key responsibilities
- Design and develop a set of core products and formats which meet the bespoke needs of appraising government-developed digital products, and the benefits, disbenefits and evidence bases associated with delivering them.
- Produce and own a central, live and authoritative repository forecasted and realised benefits across the entire product suite in Product Group, which currently stands at over 10 different products.
- Act as a central economic "keyholder" for formal business cases produced by product teams, assuring the economic appraisals produced by teams for quality, objectivity and strategic relevance and providing advice to the senior leadership team.
- Provide advice to product teams on monitoring and evaluation, such as by using HMT's Magenta Book, assuring spending proposals for effective monitoring and evaluation plans, and supporting teams with the development of theories of change.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with key external stakeholders, such as HM Treasury and other Public Sector organisations, to ensure the plans and benefits of GDS are communicated well, understood, and supported with robust data.
Person specification
- Experience in performing high-quality analysis swiftly in a fast moving, high profile environment.
- Experience managing a team of analysts/economists.
- Experience writing and producing analytical papers/reports for a senior audience.
- Experience in presenting their work and findings to a group of stakeholders, using a range of technologies and methods to do so.
- Experience of planning and prioritising effectively to meet deadlines, able to manage multiple projects/issues to deliver results at pace.
- Knowledge of the government green-book principles and experience in applying them in practice.
Lead Economist - GDS - G7 employer: Manchester Digital
Contact Detail:
Manchester Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Economist - GDS - G7
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals and how your skills as a Lead Economist can help them achieve those. Tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their mission of modernising digital government.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Focus on showcasing your analytical skills and experience in managing teams, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Government Digital Service and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Economist - GDS - G7
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Economist role. Highlight your experience in economic analysis and team management, and show how your skills align with GDS's mission to drive a modern digital government.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to perform high-quality analysis quickly. Include examples of analytical papers or reports you've produced, especially those aimed at senior audiences, to demonstrate your expertise.
Highlight Team Leadership Experience: Since this role involves managing a team, be sure to mention any relevant leadership experience. Talk about how you've successfully guided teams in the past and how you can bring that experience to the Economic Analysis Team at GDS.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you'll find all the details you need to make your submission stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Know Your Economics Inside Out
As a Lead Economist, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of economic principles and their application in the public sector. Brush up on key concepts, especially those related to government policies and digital services. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these principles in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to present examples of your analytical work, particularly in high-pressure environments. Think about specific projects where your analysis led to significant outcomes. Use data to back up your claims and be prepared to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Familiarise Yourself with GDS Priorities
Research the Government Digital Service's current initiatives and priorities. Understand how they are harnessing AI and improving public services. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Practice Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Since building relationships with stakeholders is crucial, think of scenarios where you've successfully engaged with external partners or senior leadership. Prepare to discuss how you communicated complex economic concepts to non-experts and how you ensured alignment on project goals.
