Senior Economist

Office for Budget Responsibility
London - United Kingdom
S: £50,000 - £64,498

About the Office for Budget Responsibility

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was established by the Chancellor in May 2010 to provide independent assessments of the economy, public finances and fiscal sustainability. We provide independent forecasts of the economy and public finances to inform the Government's fiscal policy decisions, examine the impact of the Government's policy decisions on the public finances, and assess the prospects for achieving the Government's fiscal targets and welfare cap. We publish reports on long-term fiscal sustainability, fiscal risks and trends in welfare spending, and run a wider work programme of research and analysis into economic and fiscal issues.

The OBR is comprised of the Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC) – Robert Chote (Chairman), Professor Charlie Bean and Andy King – supported by a staff of 31 civil servants including economists, public finance analysts and business support staff.

We are recruiting a senior economist to work in our economics team. The work will be primarily related to the OBR's core forecasting responsibilities, but has the potential to range widely across the OBR's analytical and research agenda. The core role will be focused on the twice-yearly Economic & Fiscal Outlooks (EFO), but there would be scope to feed into the Forecast Evaluation Report (FER), Fiscal Risks Report (FRR) and Welfare Trends Report (WTR), as well as our ad hoc publications.

The OBR is committed to having a diverse workforce that brings together the best people across Government. If you have any concerns we are happy to discuss any potential obstacles you think you might face. This post is available on a full time or part time basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated. We have a number of staff working flexible hours as well as managing childcare responsibilities and/or other commitments throughout the year, including fiscal events.

Key accountabilities

The core responsibilities of the role are as follows:

1. Take lead responsibility for managing and conducting the OBR's programme of work on trend growth and the output gap

2. Lead the OBR's labour market forecasts and associated analysis, including the OBR's forecasts of employment and average earnings

3. Undertake other analytical and modelling work for the OBR's economy team and economy forecast as required

4. Take lead responsibility for relevant sections of the OBR's key publications, including the Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

5. Share responsibility for presentations, representing the OBR effectively at forecast-related meetings with external organisations.

6. Contribute to the OBR's wider analytical programme and ad hoc publications.

Candidates will be interviewed against the following key competencies:
Seeing the big picture
Achieving commercial outcomes
Delivering value for money
Making effective decisions
Leading and communicating
Collaborating and partnering
Delivering at pace


Person specification

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

1) Economics degree (Undergraduate or Masters)

2) A strong and broad understanding of macroeconomics, and statistical and econometric techniques, and with experience of applying these skills in analytical roles in the public or private sector.

3) Proven ability to combine rigour with effective and clear communication, including to both non-economist and economist audiences.

4) Proven ability to work flexibly across a number of competing projects and to deliver high-quality work to deadline.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:
1) Previous experience in working with macroeconomic/statistical models and/or macroeconomic forecasts


Location
The post will be based in London.

Hours of work
The working hours of this post are 42 per week (including meal breaks of 1 hour a day)

Some of the OBR's terms and conditions of employment, including hours of work, changed on 1st July 2013. If you joined the Civil Service prior to 1st July 2013 you may have joined on old terms and conditions working 41 hours per week. If you are successful in your application for this role please be assured that if you transfer into this post there will be no detriment to your existing hours of work.

This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis. Flexible working hours and remote working can be accommodated.

Job summary