Graduate Economist
Job summary
Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England. We currently regulate 200+ awarding organisations, and approx. 11,600 certified qualifications. These include GCSEs, AS and A levels, and a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications. Regulating on behalf of students of all ages and apprentices is central to how we fulfil our statutory objectives.
For more information about the work we do please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual
We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organisation. We are proud of the action we are taking to support EDI and Wellbeing and welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to support our ethos of creating a diverse culture that is reflective of both our employees and the learners we support.
Ofqual is a rewarding, dynamic place to work. We offer employees the opportunity to develop within their role and progress through the organisation via a number of Learning and Development opportunities and activities.
The economist function lies at the heart of the Organisation and the graduate economist will be involved and have influence right across the organisation
Job description
We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual who can grasp technical concepts at pace and work with others in a proactive manner to
achieve high-quality outcomes. The successful applicant will work across a high-priority portfolio of work, helping to deliver high-quality analysis to key decision-making centres in the organisation and supporting the organisation to meet its legislative requirements.
While experience, particularly in a regulatory background, is desired, we are looking for someone with brilliant analytical skills, a keen eye for detail, an appetite for learning about the qualifications landscape, who has a pro-active manner and can engage and work well with others.
As the graduate economist you will:
Support the Senior Economist in analysing the qualification market and its sub-markets to support a variety of decision-making processes in the organisation.
Using your economics background to support the development of policy proposals and identification of market dynamics.
Facilitate Ofqual in meeting its legislative requirements by working with a wide variety of experts within the organisation to provide coherent narratives about our regulatory work.
The economist function sits within the small and supportive risk and markets team, with a highly collegial and authentic ethos.
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Supporting the Senior Economist in analysing the qualification market and its sub-markets to support a variety of decision-making processes in the organisation.
- Supporting the Senior Economist in developing and implementing market interventions to promote and facilitate competition.
- Supporting the Senior Economist in monitoring the qualifications market to gauge the level of competitive pressure – for example, through analysis supporting the Qualification Price Index.
- Supporting regulatory policy by applying economic principles to problems in the qualifications market.
- Facilitating Ofqual in meeting its legislative requirements around minimising unnecessary burden by working with colleagues across the organisation to collect, analyse and disseminate information on patterns of burden and ongoing regulatory development work.
- Supporting the Senior Economist in collating and communicating key economic insights from the wider economic context as well as sector-specific analysis in an engaging and understandable manner
Person specification
Please refer to the job description for a full list of essential criteria to support your application.
Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in Economics
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Benefits
As a Civil Servant, you will benefit from a leading, modern employment offer which includes flexible working arrangements that support people at different stages in their lives, and pensions among the best available in the UK, as well as generous annual leave entitlements.
Other benefits you can enjoy include:
- Performance Related Pay scheme
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Regular professional development
- Health and wellbeing initiatives such as mini-medicals, flu vaccinations
- Employee assistance programme and occupational health
- Free eye tests and contribution towards lenses/spectacles for VDU users, if appropriate
- Family friendly policies
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Access to exclusive discounts
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the shortlisting panel), your career history and qualifications.
You will then be asked to provide a personal statement evidencing how you meet the essential criteria shown on the job description.
Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements as this will form a key part of your evidence when the panel is scoring your application, against the requirements of the role.
Ofqual has adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. You’ll be asked to remove all personal details from your CV when you apply.
During the interview process, this vacancy may include a short presentation and/or assessment. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
Please submit your application by 2nd February 2023
Interview date – Tuesday 28th February 2023 (subject to change)
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or at a lower grade than they applied for, we may extend an offer without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has comparable behaviours and essential criteria.
Ofqual operates a modern working approach with flexibility in mind. This means, that subject to business need, successful candidates will be offered the option to combine working at home with working at their contractual workplace. Further information relevant to this post will be available for candidates invited to interview.
Final panel interviews may be held remotely via Microsoft Teams or face to face. Further details will be provided at invite to interview stage.
One of our resourcing colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.
Please be aware that expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you require assistance or need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should tell us what changes or help you might need further in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. You should contact us at recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk to discuss your needs.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.