Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Bristol (BS2 0EL), Coventry (CV1 2WT), Darlington (DL1 5QE), Leeds (LS1 4AP), Manchester (M1 2WD), Newcastle (NE1 8W), Nottingham (NG2 1AW), Sheffield (S1 2FJ) Please note Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle and Nottingham currently have site controls in place. Therefore, this location option is only available to existing DfE employees already assigned to this office location. About the job Job summary Are you passionate about helping create the safest and best learning environments for our children and future generations? If so, this may be the job for you You will be supporting and leading aspects of the economist work within the Condition and Cost Intelligence Analytical team, within the Education Estates Directorate. The team provides high quality data, economic advice, analysis, and modelling to help DfE and those responsible for the school estate maintain an environment that is safe, sheltered, and pleasant, enabling world-class teaching and learning. You will use your skills to strengthen and improve Education Estates business cases and work alongside analysts in the team to help DfE develop a deeper understanding of the condition of the school estate, the money spent on maintaining and improving its condition and how best to allocate around £2.5 billion per annum budget spent on 65,000 buildings in 22,000 schools. Your work will support Responsible Bodies to better manage existing estates, making a real difference to the lives of children, families and teachers. The environment within which a child learns and develops can make an immense difference to them in reaching their potential and to their wellbeing and sense of self-worth. In DfE, economists support the development of education policy, building assessments of value for money and developing and overseeing policy evaluations, supporting strategy and undertaking detailed technical data and econometric analysis. Some economists are embedded in strategy teams or in mixed-discipline analytical teams supporting a policy area; others work in a team with other economists undertaking projects. GES economists are supported to undertake 100 hours of continuous professional development a year as a mixture of on-the-job training, formal training and self-guided study. You will also be eligible to apply for the Masters Apprenticeship Scheme (EMAP), which provides study leave to undertake a masters qualification in Economics while working. DfE is a supportive organisation, committed to your learning and development with a strong team culture and a passion for evidence. Our economists come from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are interested in all types of economists and a variety of experiences. However, we also particularly welcome applicants with experience of one or more of the following disciplines: econometrics and/or advanced modelling skills, policy appraisal or cost benefit analysis, particularly applied microeconomics or experience of developing and leading policy evaluations with a strong value for money component. Job description Job Responsibilities: Leading the work to develop the theory of change that underpins the economic case for investment to improve education estates alongside the team. Supporting the work on the condition Net Present Value (NPV) model that feeds into our Spending Review (SR) condition business case. This evidence is fundamental to underpinning the condition business case to HMT and is worth billions of pounds annually. Support the work on a wide range of improvements to this model in areas such as the impact on attainment due to poor condition of school buildings, productivity, thermal comfort, air quality and natural light in classrooms. Working closely with policy and delivery colleagues on developing and framing our economic evidence within the business cases across Education Estates. Supporting the development of all business cases across Education Estates directorate that are reviewed by the DfEs investment committee. Continually assess our capital investment plans from an economic perspective to ensure we are getting the best value for money for every pound spent. Engaging with other government departments and the wider sector on best practice for capital investment and estate management to improve further our Education Estates business cases. Work with analysts within the team to contribute to the development of a centre of expertise and knowledge within the department on the condition of the school estate and provide analytical evidence and advice to help address the condition need within the estate. Seek out and implement opportunities for the use of Artificial Intelligence in all areas or our work, with a particular focus on economic modelling and forecasting. Person specification Essential Criteria: (Lead criteria) Strong analytical skills with experience of applying economic concepts to problem solving and options appraisal and cost benefit analysis. Experience of delivering business-critical analytical work while also juggling other competing priorities. An ability to build strong and productive relationships with people from a wide range of professional backgrounds and the ability to communicate complex concepts succinctly and with impact. Developing and leading evaluations with a strong value for money component. Desirable Criteria: Ability to analyse large data sets using a programming language e.g. R or SQL. Experience of one or more of the following areas: Econometrics and/or advanced modelling skills Experience of using Theory of Change. Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview, in the event of a tie break situation, to make an informed decision. Qualifications Applicants for this role must be a member of the Government Economic Service (GES) or be prepared to become a member of the GES via the application process. Civil servants who are currently a member of a government analytical profession will retain their professional membership in this role. If you are applying without a GES membership, you must meet the academic entry requirements for the GES: - Have achieved at least 2:1 honours degree in economics, or postgraduate degree - Have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics. Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Economist at the grade applied for or be an existing member of the Government Economic Service. Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the Government Economics Service (GES). Details can be found in the GES framework, which will be assessment during selection process, written application sift and interview. For applicants applying who are not existing members of the Government Economic Service, relevant experience must involve economic analysis or research. To become a badged GES member though this option, you must demonstrate the breadth and depth of economic experience and skills covering the three components in the GES technical framework. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Application of Knowledge Analysis of Data Effective Communication Qualifications We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form: Qualifications Benefits Alongside your salary of £47,456, Department for Education contributes £13,748 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies. As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK. You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays. We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered. As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Application: To apply for this role, you need to provide a Statement of Suitability (max word count 1000 words) demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the advert. You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant for the role. In the event of a large number of applications, we will sift on the lead essential criteria and the qualification requirement. You will also be asked on the application to indicate how you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the role. Interview: At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria listed above. At interview you will be asked questions around the behaviours Making Effective Decisions and Communicating and Influencing. A separate technical assessment. The second part of the interview process will assess your Technical skills as described in the GES SEO grade Technical framework GES Technical Framework 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We will test your knowledge of economics, as well as your application of knowledges, analysis of data and your communication of Technical concepts. Other Information In your application, please dont include personal information that identifies you. This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window). Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your: name/title educational institutions age gender email address postal address phone number nationality/immigration status We understand that you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesnt include ideas or work that isnt your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own. We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas. The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFEeducation.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum. Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual. Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information. 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 need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operationseducation.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. Please refer to the attached Reasonable Adjustments Guide 2024 accessible version at the bottom of the advert, for further information. Childcare Vouchers Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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 Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. 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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Andrew Rosser Email : andrew.rossereducation.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : Centralrecruitment.operationseducation.gov.uk Further information The Department for Educations recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operationseducation.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages Attachments DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB) OGD Transfer Supplementary information - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 327kB) Reasonable Adjustments guide 2024 - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail