HEO Assistant Economist

Drop In: You can find out about us and get more information about the role by attending our drop-in session. You will have the opportunity to talk to people doing the job and ask any questions, including about the recruitment process from application to interview through to offer. You can join the session at any point throughout the hour on Wednesday 10 May 12:00-13:00. Click here to join the meeting.

The TRA is one of the first public bodies to be set up to meet the new needs of the UK following its departure from the European Union. We play a central part in ensuring that the international trading environment is fair as well as free, by protecting British businesses from unfair trading practices such as dumping, trade-distorting subsidies and unforeseen surges in imports.

We are growing to be an organisation of over 150 people, with our headquarters in central Reading. It is vital to me that we have a friendly, supportive culture, where you will quickly get to know who works here and where you will be helped to realise your full potential. We strive to be an outward-looking organisation, learning from international best practice and looking to add our own distinctive twist, such as developing our digital-first approach to trade remedy investigations. As an arm’s length body that is independent of government, we are passionate about living our values of integrity, expertise, transparency, and inclusion.

We are looking for professionals who bring relevant skills and expertise but who are also eager to learn and develop. Nobody joins the TRA as the finished article. If you believe that you have the experience and qualities to put your stamp on something new and exciting, we very much look forward to hearing from you.

The analysis team consists of three units, two of which focus on economics, with the head of each unit reporting to the Chief Economist. You will be based in one of the economics units and report to an Economic Adviser.

You will be embedded in at least one multi-disciplinary case team. Case teams deal with one specific trade remedies investigation, and are composed of staff from investigations, verification, policy, legal and analysis, reporting to a Lead Investigator.

Your primary role as part of the case team will involve supporting the production of an evidence-based recommendation on the economic interest test, which assesses whether a proposed trade remedy measure is in the economic interest of the UK. Other analytical work as part of the investigation includes: tailoring questionnaires to meet case-specific needs; reviewing and verifying responses to triangulate lines of enquiry with other data source; identifying and engaging with industry stakeholders to capture evidence of the impact of the proposed trade remedy measure; and providing support on other aspects of the case that involve drawing conclusions using quantitative and qualitative data.

For examples of Economic Interest Tests, see the relevant sections of the Aluminium Extrusions Statement of Essential Facts and the Continuous Glass Fibre Statement of Essential Facts.

Alongside your work in your case team, you will also undertake a variety of projects run by the analysis team that are not specific to a single case, including research into cross-cutting issues such as accounting for market distortions.

You will be expected to work with colleagues to deliver high-quality analysis at pace, effectively communicate your findings, influence colleagues and stakeholders, and collaborate with colleagues across different disciplines. There will be opportunities to shape your role as the organisation grows.

Key Accountabilities:

In order to perform in this role, you will need to:

• Support the production of evidence-based recommendations for the economic interest test on various investigations and reviews;
• Select, analyse and handle data to produce evidence-based advice, including working with trade statistics, commercially sourced databases and data gathered during an investigation;
• Apply appropriate economic concepts, standards and other general techniques to reach robust conclusions and use a range of tools and techniques to produce high-quality analysis to tight deadlines;
• Ensure analysis is practical and targeted, clearly draws out your conclusions and follows best practice in quality assurance;
• Build trusted relationships with TRA colleagues within case teams and with stakeholders to meet analytical requirements;
• Work collaboratively with other analysts to develop our team’s standards and capability and contribute to our joined-up evidence base;
• Deliver results effectively, often to crucial deadlines, and share your findings with stakeholders;
• Effectively communicate, both in writing and verbally, to colleagues and stakeholders from different backgrounds.

To be successful in this role applicants should demonstrate the following:

• Well-developed analytical skills and a willingness to learn;
• Can take part in multiple projects where complex information is analysed from different sources quickly;
• Can apply analytical techniques and policy guidance to obtain valuable insights that inform final conclusions for investigations;
• Can clearly communicate technical issues verbally and in writing to non-specialists;
• Can work collaboratively as part of multi-disciplinary teams and support evidence-based decision-making;
• Is able to apply analytical techniques to complex situations, assessing strengths and limitations of alternative approaches, weighing up different pieces of evidence and drawing out salient issues, whilst taking account of uncertainty;
• Can prioritise effectively, contributing to different projects, either with support and advice from others or independently.
• We encourage applications from candidates who may be concerned they have less experience in some of the desired criteria and we recognise that experience can be developed on-the-job and with the support of our mix of in-house and externally-provided training.

GES Competency Framework

The Government Economics Service (GES) Technical Framework defines the technical/professional skills for members of the Economics profession within Government, and how these apply at each grade. There are three key professional skills for HEO Economists (see more here):

1.Application of knowledge,

2.Analysis of data, and

3.Effective communication.

The successful candidate, if not currently a member of the Government Economic Service, will be encouraged to apply and become badged once in post.

Essential skills and experience:

• Qualification (at least one of the following):

A first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum) or equivalent in Economics or a similar analytical field (e.g. Statistics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Data Science) with significant economics content;

A higher degree (e.g. MSc or PhD) in Economics or a similar analytical field (e.g. Statistics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Data Science) with significant economics content.

• Ability to apply, and advise on, economic tools and quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques and synthesise evidence from a range of sources to support evidence-based policy development;
• Ability to provide effective and appropriate written and oral communication of economic analysis to stakeholders from different backgrounds;
• Demonstrated analytical skills with the use of MS Excel and ability to learn software packages such as R;
• Ability to analyse and handle data to support policy advice and generate evidence-based conclusions, following best practice in quality assurance;
• Ability to critically evaluate information and evidence, to support team members in managing more complex projects;
• Ability to respond flexibly and rapidly when needed, as well as to take a longer-term perspective about your work and its impact.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Questions designed to test knowledge of economics.
• Questions designed to test knowledge of analytical concepts and the ability to explain them clearly.

Our employment package offers a range of benefits including:

Flexible working practices, such as hybrid working, part-time, compressed or annualised hours, to help you strike a balance between home and work life.

Public/privilege holidays and 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years.

Access to a market-leading Civil Service Pension Scheme with employer contributions around 27%.

Capability based pay, which means that you have the ability to be paid more as you build your capability with us.

Support, tools and techniques for you to manage your health and wellbeing.

Access to a range of learning and development opportunities, and talent programmes.

A reward scheme to recognise your great work or demonstration of our values.

Interest-free loans to spread the cost of season tickets, a new bicycle, or rental deposit.

A discount scheme providing access to hundreds of discounted offers to help you make significant savings from a range of shops and brands.

A modern office close to Reading train station with convenient access to local amenities.

Up to 6 days volunteer leave to support your personal development and our wider community.

Job contact :

Name :
Abirah Aziz
Email :
Abirah.Aziz@traderemedies.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
TRArecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk