Chief Economist
Description
- Job grade: SCS Pay Band 1
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: HMT - National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA)
- Type of role: Economist
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
Any applicants who are already NISTA staff can also apply to be based from their existing location in Leeds (2 Whitehall Quay).
About the job
Job summary
Working at HM Treasury puts you at the heart of government, making a difference to the UK economy and ultimately to people’s lives right across the UK.
Jobs at the Treasury are fast-paced, fun and can offer unparalleled perspective – not least the opportunity to advise Ministers on the decisions which directly determine the UK’s prosperity. Deep in our DNA is a commitment to empowering our people: maximising individual and collective impact, with interesting work no matter your role or seniority.
Day-to-day you could be supporting Ministers to decide the right level of a specific tax or line of government spending; helping maintain the stability of financial markets; analysing the long-term trends impacting the future of the economy; or enabling this work as part of our vital corporate functions.
We are a high-performing department and proud to have outstanding staff from a wide range of backgrounds. We are also a friendly, inclusive and sociable workplace that prides itself on fostering great team spirit. Our two largest offices are 1 Horse Guards Road in London, opposite St James’ Park, and the Darlington Economic Campus, which also contains eight other departments. We work seamlessly across all our sites, including Norwich, Birmingham and Leeds, as one Treasury.
We are both a 1,000-year-old institution and dynamic, forward-looking economics and finance ministry, with a strong direction set by our organisational strategy, the Future Treasury Vision. The 21st century offers huge opportunities and poses new challenges for the UK. Working at the Treasury is your chance to help the country chart the right course.
Job description
NISTA
The government has established the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) as its centre of infrastructure expertise, harnessing the policy and strategy insight of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) and the delivery specialism of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and bringing them together to create a new, stronger and more powerful organisation capable of delivering these goals. NISTA has six objectives:
• Overseeing the government’s 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy
• Identifying and coordinating infrastructure needs
• Unblocking barriers and streamlining delivery of the government’s major projects
• Setting standards and improving the government’s project delivery capabilities
• Providing effective assurance for the government’s priority projects
• Leading expertise on private finance
The Team
The Strategy and System Change Directorate is the voice of authority on long-term infrastructure needs and strategy across government. The Chief Economist role is an essential function within NISTA and their holds a formal position on NISTA’s Senior Leadership Team.
The Chief Economist sits alongside the Deputy Directors of Systems Change; Strategy and Governance; and Social Infrastructure. Economics and Analysis is a friendly and influential team comprised of around 11 analysts with expertise in economics and operational research. Our role primarily is to support NISTA and HMT with high quality evidence and analysis as it delivers the 10-year infrastructure strategy, Spending Review and Budget’s but also delivers insights and advice on a range of wider system, programme and project specific issues. We collaborate closely across other directorates in NISTA, and with other analysts including data scientists and our spatial unit, to support NISTA’s delivery agenda with insightful analysis. We also work closely with our HMT counterparts across spending teams, GEP and the Green Book team, as well as having excellent working relationships across infrastructure related departments.
Line management of analysts in the team is shared between the Chief Economist and Deputy Chief Economist, with each currently managing around half the team. This may flex according to business need. Day-to-day team management sits with the Deputy Chief Economist. We also operate a model of matrix management for project/study work across the Directorate, which may mean the role holder leading on projects for NISTA and the Strategy Directorate more broadly, with both analytical, policy and delivery input.
The team is split across two offices in London and Leeds, with some travel between the two likely to be required.
The Role
This is a high-profile role at the heart of NISTA and HMT in relation to infrastructure. The Chief Economist will provide intellectual and analytical leadership for NISTA's work on infrastructure strategy, system reform and long-term infrastructure needs, as well as provide advice on a selected GMPP. The role will lead NISTA's analysis capability, working closely with NISTA's Data and Insights Team, and ensuring the organisation is equipped with the evidence, tools and analytical expertise needed to support Ministers and senior leaders across government in making better decisions about the UK's infrastructure portfolio. Centrally this role is about impactful deployment of the analysis and capability within the policy, delivery and strategy agenda’s, at all levels and influencing change.
Working directly to the Director of Strategy and System Change, the postholder will lead a multidisciplinary analytical function, bringing together economists, operational researchers, data scientists, spatial analysts and other specialists. They will play a key role in establishing NISTA as the authoritative voice on long-term infrastructure needs and ensuring that analytical insights directly influence decisions across government and system change.
Key accountabilities
- Provide strategic leadership for NISTA and HMT’s analytical capability, working closely with DD head of Data, setting the vision and direction for economics, analysis and evidence generation to support delivery of NISTA's objectives and the Government's 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.
- Lead major cross-government analytical studies and strategic projects, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to address complex infrastructure, economic and public service challenges and translate evidence into actionable recommendations.
- Develop and maintain NISTA's analytical, data and digital strategy, ensuring data, evidence and analytical methods are effectively embedded across organisational decision-making and delivery activities.
- Provide authoritative analytical advice to Ministers, senior officials and NISTA/HMT leadership, influencing major investment, infrastructure and reform decisions through clear, rigorous and accessible evidence.
- Lead the development of innovative analytical approaches, including economic analysis, behavioural insights, data science, forecasting, systems analysis and spatial planning tools, strengthening the evidence base for infrastructure strategy and reform.
- Champion analytical excellence across NISTA, establishing standards, quality assurance processes and professional development pathways that foster a culture of challenge, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships across Whitehall, academia, regulators, industry and the analytical professions, representing NISTA externally and strengthening its reputation as a centre of analytical and strategic excellence.
- Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team, creating an inclusive environment that enables colleagues to thrive, innovate and deliver impact in a complex and rapidly evolving policy environment.
Candidate Drop-In Session
We will be running a candidate drop-in session for this role to give you greater insight about the role as well as the chance to learn more about HM Treasury and the recruitment process. If you would like to join us, then use the appropriate link below to join the call at the right time.
Tuesday 10th November 1500-1530 Click the link to Join
Wednesday 11 November 1200-1230 Click the link to Join
More info
If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date for applications to find out more about the job, please contact Jonny Saks via his executive assistant (karen.winn@nista.gov.uk)
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
Person specification
While in post, the successful candidate will be expected to perform well across the full range of Senior Civil Service behaviours set out in the Success Profile framework and demonstrate commitment to Civil Service values.
The essential criteria for the purpose of selection are:
- Strategic leadership: A strong track record of leading analytical, economic, research or evidence functions and using insight to shape strategy, policy or major investment decisions.
- People leadership: Proven experience of leading large, multidisciplinary teams and creating an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Influence and communication: Evidence of influencing Ministers, Boards or other senior decision-makers through clear, compelling communication and sound judgement.
- Delivery and partnerships: A track record of delivering major programmes or strategic work with significant organisational or policy impact, while building effective partnerships across organisational boundaries.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge and experience of one or more economic and/or social infrastructure sectors.
- Experience of leading systems analysis and applying advanced data, digital or AI-enabled analytical approaches to complex policy challenges.
Required Qualifications
- A first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent)
Or
- A postgraduate degree in economics.
If it is a joint economics degree, at least 50% of the total course credits must be in economics.
Credits are now used instead of module counts because module sizes vary, and credit weighting provides a fairer and more consistent measure of total course content.
Applicants must meet the requirements of the Government Economic Service. Full details for SCS roles here: Membership - Government Economic Service - GOV.UK
Qualifications
- A first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent),
OR
- A postgraduate degree in economics.
If it is a joint economics degree, at least 50% of the total course credits must be in economics.
Credits are now used instead of module counts because module sizes vary, and credit weighting provides a fairer and more consistent measure of total course content.
Memberships
for external candidates, you need to meet GES standards
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- GES: Effective communication
Benefits
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus public holidays and the King’s birthday.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme - Defined Benefit pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
- Parental Leave Packages - Including 6 months’ occupational pay for maternity/adoption, shared parental leave options.
- Advance Schemes & Discounts - Rental deposit, cycle-to-work, SmartTech, season ticket loans, and access to HM Treasury’s benefits portal for a wide range of discounts.
- Flexible & Hybrid Working - Options include part-time, job-share, compressed hours, flexitime, and hybrid working.
Hybrid working: HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites. There is an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location. Some roles may not be suitable for hybrid working, it will be stated in the role profile if the role cannot accommodate this.
You can review HM Treasury’s full offer here.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
How to Apply:
Applications should consist of a CV (of no more than 3 sides) and a 1000-word personal statement demonstrating evidence of how you meet the skills, behaviours and experience detailed in the person specification.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.
Applications will be reviewed by the panel to select those which demonstrate the best fit with the post against the criteria set out in the person specification.
Leadership Assessment Stage
Staff Engagement Panel Exercise
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a staff engagement panel exercise. This assessment will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather it is designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Further details on this assessment will be provided to shortlisted candidates in due course.
Interview Stage
Candidates will be invited to an interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of previous experience and professional competence. The criteria that will be assessed at interview are:
- Technical Skills - GES: Effective communication
- Behaviours:
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working together
Interview Task / Presentation
Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a presentation that the interview panel would like you to complete as part of the assessment. The exact details will be communicated to you nearer the time.
Candidate Guidance
Please review the candidate guidance for an overview of the Success Profiles and STAR approach, along with top tips for applications and interviews.
Recruitment Timeline
- Closing date: Sunday 22 November
- Shortlisting: w/c 23 November
- Staff engagement exercise: w/c 7 December
- Interviews: w/c 14 December
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.
Reserve Lists
You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a role immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to provide your location preference on your application form. Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer.
If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances.
Those on the reserve list may also be approached for similar roles at a lower grade. If you are offered a role at a lower grade and choose to decline, you can remain on the reserve list.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Candidates cannot apply to roles in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Successful candidates will be subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database. This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This also applies to those who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the database will be refused employment.
National Security Vetting
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, successful candidates will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Security Check (SC)
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. You will be asked to provide residency information within your application form, and eligibility for national security vetting will be checked once the advert closing date has passed. In certain circumstances, for example if you have been working abroad on a government posting, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case-by-case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jonathan Saks
- Email : karen.winn@nista.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| Role Profile 488734 Opens in new window (pdf, 140kB) |
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