Senior Economist

Job description

Purpose

Ofgem works on behalf of energy consumers to ensure that every household and business in the UK can rely on a safe and environmentally sustainable energy supply. We are playing a vital part in accelerating the transition to Net Zero and a carbon neutral energy system - a goal that everyone wants to achieve. Whatever your role, you'll be playing your part in creating new energy solutions that are great for customers, and great for the environment.

Ofgem has a culture of inclusion that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our colleagues. It fuels our innovation and helps ensure we can best represent the consumers and the communities we serve. Everyone is welcome - as an inclusive workplace, our employees are comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.

Within these roles you will be part of the Analysis profession within Ofgem to support in your career aspirations. After the initial deployment, you will have the opportunity to work flexibly across Ofgem as a member of your Profession, working on cross-Ofgem projects, and/or in teams that require your skills and expertise.

The System Planning and Connections portfolio within the System Planning, Engineering and Technology Directorate of Ofgem (SPEnT) is in need of a Senior Economist to support strategic network planning to deliver the UK's ambitions to decarbonise energy supply and reach net zero. SPEnT is focused on enabling the development of the energy system to deliver affordable, clean secure energy supplies. It is a newly formed directorate comprised of technical expertise alongside policy thinking for energy system development and is as part of Ofgem's Infrastructure group.

A senior economist is required to work with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to lead the development of the electricity and gas Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) methodology. This work will require in-depth knowledge of economic assessments required to make (infrastructure) investment decisions under uncertainty.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to lead the development of the electricity and gas Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) methodology.
• Apply an in-depth knowledge of economic assessments required to make (infrastructure) investment decisions under uncertainty.
• Undertake Cost Benefit Analysis approaches, Robust Decision Making, including use of Scenario Planning.
• Assist in developing the analysis approach to plan the future energy system, considering whole system costs to make robust decisions on where future generation, demand and interconnectors should be sited.
• Contributing to other strategic and reactive work undertaken by the team as it arises.
• Undertake robust quantitative and qualitative analysis informing sound advice on key policy decisions.
• Assess the reliability of evidence, including that gathered by more junior team members and give objective advice.
• Provide clear and concise drafting for external and internal audiences, including contributions to briefings, internal decision documents, and consultations. Ensure robust project management and quality assurance processes are in place to deliver high-quality and timely behavioural science and research outputs.
• Ensure effective project planning and timely delivery of outputs.
• Constructive working relationships established with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively across team boundaries.

Key Outputs and Deliverables

• Embed competition economics/evaluation considerations in Ofgem's policy and decision-making processes, working effectively with other analytical and policy functions.
• Provision of expertise to individuals and projects to ensure that competition economics/evaluation considerations are applied strategically, appropriately and effectively, providing guidance on constructive challenges and support staff to consider new and innovative methods.
• Ensure that the economic analysis is delivered to a high standard. Critically assess and interpret the evidence available and the weight that can be attached to it; identify economic risks and propose mitigations for them.
• Work in close partnership with the other technical experts to ensure a coherent work programme that supports delivery of stronger analytical best practice, standards and building of expertise.
• Represent Ofgem at external events, conferences etc to showcase Ofgem's work in this area and help shape the debate on regulatory economics to help increase our reputation as a leader in the field.
• Contributing to other strategic and reactive work undertaken by the team as it arises.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience: Track record of undertaking complex competition, evaluation or similar projects including developing appropriate assessment and analytical models (LEAD).
• In-depth knowledge of economic assessments required to make (infrastructure) investment decisions under uncertainty.
• Qualifications: A Degree or Masters in economics or other relevant analytical field or equivalent professional experience.
• Analytical skills: Advanced analytical skills using relevant software packages (R, STATA, Python) and/or advanced Excel modelling skills. Experience of applying these tools in a professional context.
• Evidence synthesis and communication: Ability to distil complex subject matter into relevant messages for different audiences - both orally and in writing, combined with excellent drafting skills.
• Stakeholder engagement. Skilled at developing strategic relationships and working collaboratively across a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels to shape the debate.
• A strong understanding of Cost Benefit Analysis approaches, Robust Decision Making, including use of scenario planning will be essential.

Desirable Criteria

• Sector knowledge: a sound understanding of the principles of economic regulation, supported by understanding of the commercial and regulatory frameworks governing the operation of electricity and gas markets.
• An understanding of the principles and guidance within the Treasury's Greenbook.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,614, OFGEM contributes £12,315 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; Hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but is in review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

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.

When you press the 'Apply now' button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word 'personal statement' evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the essential and desirable skills and capabilities.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expect all candidates to abide by these principles. Ofgem take any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process.

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) .