Assistant Economist

About The Group

Economics Group

The Economics Group in the Treasury provide Ministers with analysis and assessment of fast-paced economic developments in the UK economy and advises on their implications for the Government’s economic strategy. It works with policy teams to factor economic analysis into advice for Ministers on a wide range of polices. The Group is a leading member of the UK macroeconomic community, collaborating with the Bank of England, OBR and academia on shared topics of interest, liaising with international organisations in their surveillance of the UK economy and supporting the economic and social research professions across government departments.

About The Team

Economic Risks

Economic Risks works flexibly and collaboratively with teams across HMT and in other departments to improve risk management best practice. The team builds modelling and analytical capabilities that are used to influence policy and strategy in responding to a wide range of risks to the economy.

Beyond systematically monitoring risks to the economy, the team plays a central role in analysing a range of macroeconomic risks, including climate change. The team leads on the Group’s input to the Covid-19 Inquiry, and is co-secretariat for the Economic Risks Group and Climate and Environment Analytical Sub-Board.

Economic Risks is a friendly team, which values having an inclusive culture. Flexible working practices are encouraged. We have members of the team working across London and Darlington offices.

Within Economic Risks, the assesses the risks of climate change, net zero and energy issues for the UK economy and ensures that analysis informs HMT policy. The branch provides high profile analysis that provides exposure to senior leaders and strategic decision making. The branch works closely with multiple teams, including colleagues in policy and spending teams, Fiscal Group and International Group, and with external partners including other departments, the Bank of England and international organisations.

About The Job

The role provides an opportunity to work on some of the most important long-term macroeconomic issues facing the UK to influence better policy outcomes for households and businesses. The post-holder will contribute to work across the branch and HMT’s analytical community, ensuring evidence influences policymaking.

The post-holder will lead analytical projects on climate change and the net zero transition, but will also be expected to work flexibly to contribute to work across the broader Economic Risks portfolio. Exact responsibilities will vary according to policy and economic priorities, but the post-holder can expect to manage, deliver and communicate economic analysis to support policy development, while building expertise in macroeconomic modelling, with training and support provided.

Core Responsibilities In The Role Include

• Lead analytical projects, responding to economic and policy priorities through managing and delivering impactful analysis and advice on the macroeconomics of climate change and the net zero transition.
• In particular, the post-holder can expect to lead significant elements of a high-profile project to develop a detailed assessment of the economic impacts of climate damages. This will involve collaborating with colleagues across HMT to set direction for the project, engaging with analysts across government and external experts to develop sectoral estimates, building technical expertise to incorporate climate damage models into existing macroeconomic frameworks, and interpreting results and communicating the strengths and caveats of the approach to senior stakeholders in presentations and reports.
• Build HMT’s wider understanding of climate macroeconomics though developing expertise in quantitative analysis and modelling. The post-holder will lead on application and development of the NiGEM climate model, and will have opportunities to work across the branch’s suite of macroeconomic models, including Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling.
• Co-lead the secretariat of the HMT Climate and Environment Analytical Sub-Board, working with analysts across the department to plan and coordinate an agenda which influences analytical and policy development, and supporting Director chairs to deliver effective meetings.
• Communicate analysis effectively across the department and government, including contributing to presentations and written advice for senior leaders.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships across the department, government and externally. Work closely with HMT colleagues to ensure analysis influences policy development, and work across government and with external stakeholders to deliver HMT’s strategic priorities.
• Support the Economics Group’s corporate agenda, promoting the group’s wider objectives and making it an excellent place to work.
  
  

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.

Wednesday 26th June 2024 @ 13:00 Join the meeting now

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 [email protected]