Assistant Economist - International Economics

Job description

About the job

Job summary

Working at HM Treasury puts you at the heart of government, making a difference to the UK economy and ultimately to people's lives right across the UK.

Jobs at the Treasury are fast-paced, fun and can offer unparalleled perspective - not least the opportunity to advise Ministers on the decisions which directly determine the UK's prosperity. Deep in our DNA is a commitment to empowering our people: maximising individual and collective impact, with interesting work no matter your role or seniority.

Day-to-day you could be supporting Ministers to decide the right level of a specific tax or line of government spending; helping maintain the stability of financial markets; analysing the long-term trends impacting the future of the economy; or enabling this work as part of our vital corporate functions.

We are a high-performing department and proud to have outstanding staff from a wide range of backgrounds. We are also a friendly, inclusive and sociable workplace that prides itself on fostering great team spirit. Our two largest offices are 1 Horse Guards Road in London, opposite St James' Park, and the Darlington Economic Campus, which also contains eight other departments. We work seamlessly across all our sites, including Norwich, Birmingham and Leeds, as one Treasury.

We are both a 1,000-year-old institution and dynamic, forward-looking economics and finance ministry, with a strong direction set by our organisational strategy, the Future Treasury Vision. The 21st century offers huge opportunities and poses new challenges for the UK. Working at the Treasury is your chance to help the country chart the right course.

Job description

Secure Growth are seeking a proactive and curious economist to play a key role in developing strategy and policy across several fascinating work areas. The work will vary in style and approach: ranging from appraisal of specific policy interventions, or developing data-led insights into specific technologies, industries and sectors - through to developing conceptual frameworks that can guide the development of robust strategies for economic resilience. The core responsibilities of the post holder will be:

1. Economic resilience strategy - Lead analytical input into the development of economic resilience strategy. How can the UK build prosperity that is secure and resilient in a fast-changing world? Partner with analysts across domestic- and international-facing teams in HMT to build an evidence base to inform the Department's strategic thinking.
2. Economic resilience appraisal methods - Support the development of new analytical methods and frameworks for quantitatively estimating economic resilience impacts. This will include contributing to existing frameworks (such as the Green Book) to ensure that they sufficiently factor in resilience impacts, and promoting these across HMG.
3. Sectors, industries and technologies analysis - Develop analysis and sectoral expertise to support the Department's policy and strategic positions relating to the resilience and security of vulnerable goods and sectors - such as critical minerals, semiconductors, and other critical supply chains. Work collaboratively with analysts and policy advisors across HMT and other government departments to conduct analysis.
4. Lead HMT external engagement on resilience analysis - Build and maintain a network of contacts from across government of officials working on similar issues. Draw on external expertise - within and without government - to ensure the robustness of HM Treasury's assessments of economic resilience.
5. Ad-hoc analysis - deliver data-driven insights in response to ad-hoc demand from economic resilience or economic security policy teams.

The role in Global Economics is a stretching SEO post within the Emerging Markets branch covering the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Central (incl. Russia & Ukraine), South (excl. India and China) and Southeast Asia regions. It offers the opportunity to work on important international policy and macroeconomic issues, in an exciting and fast paced area with high ministerial and senior official interest. The role will be a key contributor to several of the Unit's core responsibilities:

1. Analysis of Emerging Markets - Lead on HMT's economic analysis for a geographic portfolio including the MENA, Central, South and Southeast Asia regions working closely with FCDO Posts. Analyse the economic developments in these regions and raise awareness of the implications for the UK and global economy. Produce in-depth country analysis based on current priorities and contribute to GE's regular analytical products.
2. IMF programs and OECD economic surveys - Lead on producing recommendations to inform the UK's position at the IMF Board on key country programmes (including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ukraine), working closely with FCDO and IMF UKDel. Lead on HMG comments on regular IMF and OECD country reporting to inform UK interventions at IMF and OECD board meetings.
3. International energy markets - Support monitoring of international oil and gas markets and informing ministers and senior officials of significant events with economic implications. Conduct analysis to support policy teams on the economic impact of decisions impacting these markets (e.g. sanctions policy). Lead on scoping and undertaking pieces of research/analysis to improve the team's understanding of international energy markets. Support HMT's crisis response efforts where they pertain to international energy markets (e.g. Middle East).
4. National security - Contribute to ministerial/senior briefing on thematic and geographic responsibilities for relevant XWH meetings (NSC, NSC(O), JIC), helping formulate HMT's position in these discussions.
5. Briefing for ministerial and senior engagement - particularly with international counterparts across countries within the role's geographic portfolio, or where these region/country issues are being discussed, including bilateral and multilateral meetings (G20, G7, IMF).

Team members in both Secure Growth and Global Economics work flexibly and are expected to support in the delivery of ad hoc requests, which may include inward and outward ministerial/senior visits, correspondence and FOIs. Team members are expected to make a contribution to the corporate life of the team and wider group, including a corporate responsibility at the level of the team and/or group.

Candidates are invited to express a role preference in their application which, should they be successful, will be considered but not guaranteed

Developed Vetting (DV) is required for these roles. If DV is not already held, the successful candidates can start in post with Security Check (SC) whilst their DV application is underway.

Candidate Drop-In Session
The hiring managers will be running a candidate drop-in session to give you greater insight about the roles and HM Treasury, and ask any questions you might have. If you would like to join us, use the link below to join the call at the right time.

Tuesday 20th October @ 12:30 Join the meeting here

Wednesday 21st October @ 17:00 Join the meeting here

If you would like to speak to the hiring manager informally prior to the closing date, please contact [email protected] (Global Economics) or [email protected] (Secure Growth).

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Person specification

Application Stage

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in economics (for joint degrees at least 50% of the credit value of the course modules should be in economics).

In your application form, you'll be asked to confirm that you hold this qualification. You will need to provide evidence of this qualification if you are invited to interview.

Application Form

Applications should consist of a CV including your employment history, and a 250-word statement demonstrating evidence of each of the below shortlisting criteria. Your CV and employment history won't be scored. It's used to give context to your application and support discussions at interview.

The panel will review applications and invite those that best demonstrate evidence of the shortlisting criteria below for interview. Please keep this in mind when writing your application.

Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.

1. Making Effective Decisions: Using strong analytical ability to draw on data and/or other evidence in order to generate insights and provide high quality advice and recommendations.
2. Technical: Developing novel or bespoke quantitative economic analysis
3. Seeing the Big Picture: Identifying developments and risks that can have an impact on your work and developing a plan for how to proceed.
4. Working Together: Ability to build good relationships with colleagues from different teams and use these connections to drive forward a coherent work plan.

The lead criterion is: Making Effective Decisions

If we receive a high volume of applications, we'll first sift using the lead criterion only. Those meeting the minimum score will then be assessed against all remaining criteria.

Interview Stage

If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Technical Skills - developing novel quantitative economic analysis
• Strengths
• Behaviours:
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Interview Task / Presentation

Prior to your interview, we will contact you about a task / presentation that the panel would like you to deliver as part of the assessment. Further details will be communicated to you nearer the time.

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in economics (for joint degrees at least 50% of the credit value of the course modules should be in economics).

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Developing novel or bespoke quantitative economic analysis

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,600, HM Treasury contributes £12,920 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus public holidays and the King's birthday.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme - Defined Benefit pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• Parental Leave Packages - Including 6 months' occupational pay for maternity/adoption, shared parental leave options.
• Advance Schemes & Discounts - Rental deposit, cycle-to-work, SmartTech, season ticket loans, and access to HM Treasury's benefits portal for a wide range of discounts.
• Flexible & Hybrid Working - Options include part-time, job-share, compressed hours, flexitime, and hybrid working.

Hybrid working: HM Treasury operates an office based working approach across all Treasury sites. There is an expectation of a minimum of 60% attendance in the office. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

The office working expectation is linked to the location of the role. If you apply to a post in a single location, then you will not be able to meet this expectation at any of our other sites or move your role to another location. Some roles may not be suitable for hybrid working, it will be stated in the role profile if the role cannot accommodate this.

You can review HM Treasury's full offer here.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

The reference to Experience above is system generated. For this role, experience is not assessed at any stage. We will ask for some CV details in your application form, but this is for reference only and will not be scored.

Candidate GuidancePlease review the candidate guidance for an overview of the Success Profiles and STAR approach, along with top tips for applications and interviews.

Recruitment Timeline

• Closing date: Sunday 25th October 2026
• Shortlisting: w/c 26th October 2026
• Interviews: w/c 9th November 2026

This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.

If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs Profile.

Reserve Lists

You will be placed on a reserve list if your application is successful, but we cannot offer you a role immediately. Where more than one location has been advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to provide your location preference on your application form. Please note that a place on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer.

If you are offered a role in your first preferred location and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe, you will be removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Those on the reserve list may also be approached for similar roles at a lower grade. If you are offered a role at a lower grade and choose to decline, you can remain on the reserve list.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Candidates cannot apply to roles in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Successful candidates will be subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database. This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This also applies to those who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the database will be refused employment.

National Security Vetting

Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, successful candidates will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Developed Vetting (DV).

To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants typically need to have lived in the UK for the past 10 years. You will be asked to provide residency information within your application form, and eligibility for national security vetting will be checked once the advert closing date has passed. In certain circumstances, for example if you have been working abroad on a government posting, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case-by-case basis once the advert closing date has passed.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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 theCivil 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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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 : Alex Campbell
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Complaints Process: Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment based on fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact HMT by email at: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.