CMA2081 Economic Adviser (Returner Programme)
Competition & Markets Authority
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 20th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
If you are a professional economist who has taken a career break and are keen to be supported back into the workplace and use your knowledge, technical skills, and experience to make a real difference to the lives of consumers, then this is an exciting opportunity to join the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
This programme is available for those who have been on a career break of at least three years from working as a professional economist.
As an Economics Adviser, you will join a strong, diverse team of economists, working in a collaborative, collegiate atmosphere to provide and manage economic input into a diverse range of cases. This includes investigations into mergers and markets, competition and consumer enforcement, regulatory appeals, as well as the work of CMA’s Office of the Internal Market and Subsidy Advice Unit. It is also expected that the government will soon provide the CMA with powers to implement a new pro-competitive digital markets regime. Consequently, you will be joining the CMA at an exciting time when the first investigations under the UK’s new digital markets regime will be launched.
In addition to this campaign, the CMA is also running a permanent Economic Adviser campaign. This opportunity is being advertised separately and can be found by clicking CMA2080 Economic Adviser - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK .
Job description
About the CMA
At a time when the UK economy faces unprecedented challenges including the rising cost of living, it is vital the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is able to provide high-quality economic analysis to inform effective interventions in markets, influence policies and protect both consumers and businesses.
At the CMA, economics is at the heart of everything we do. We tackle high-profile cases and offer intellectual leadership in how to analyse potential harm to competition and champion the consumer. Recent cases in which economists played a critical role include the Microsoft/Activision and Adobe/Figma merger inquiries and the housebuilding and road fuels market studies.
What you will do
With the opportunity to work flexibly across the full range of our projects, or to specialise in certain areas, you will be the lead economist on some cases, or lead on a particular area of analysis in more complex cases. You will be responsible for carrying out and/or supervising economic analysis relevant to the project, including presenting results and providing economic advice to colleagues across different professions and decision makers. You will have opportunities to manage and develop others, and to contribute to the development of the CMA’s economics capability. You will be working in a stimulating environment with autonomy, responsibility, and direct access to key decision makers. We are an international team; our economists have a range of backgrounds and nationalities.
We are looking for economists with practical work experience in applying microeconomic analysis to real world problems. While a good understanding of competition and/or regulatory economics would be an advantage, it is not essential and the CMA prides itself on ensuring that staff can grow and develop their skills. Since economics is at the heart of everything the CMA does, you must also be able to write clearly and to present economic concepts to non-technical audiences in a way that engages, informs and drives decision-making.
With the opportunity to work flexibly across the full range of our projects, or to specialise in certain areas, you will be the lead economist on some cases, or lead on a particular area of analysis in more complex cases. You will be responsible for carrying out and/or supervising economic analysis relevant to the project, including presenting results and providing economic advice to colleagues across different professions and decision makers. You will have opportunities to manage and develop others, and to contribute to the development of the CMA’s economics capability. You will be working in a stimulating environment with autonomy, responsibility, and direct access to key decision makers. We are an international team; our economists have a range of backgrounds and nationalities.
You will need to have a 2:1 undergraduate degree in economics or a post-graduate degree in economics with a strong microeconomics and/or quantitative focus, with practical work experience in the economic analysis of markets or applied microeconomics.
The Returners Programme
This programme offers successful applicants a flexible fixed-term contract (minimum of 6 months and maximum of 12 months to be discussed at the offer stage), which will roll into a permanent role, subject to performance objectives being met.
This role can be based in any of the CMA’s offices (Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London or Manchester).
You will have the freedom and technology to enable you to work outside of the office and if needed, utilise the flexible working options (eg part-time / flexible patterns) that allow you to work around any ongoing non-work commitments.
As part of the programme, you will be supported back into the workplace through:
- A competitive package of pay and benefits during the programme
- Flexible working options - including flexibility on working hours/patterns and location;
- Initial support from a buddy within the CMA’s economics team to help with the practical aspects of returning to work
- Ongoing support from an experienced mentor for longer-term guidance on career/personal development
- Dedicated time to pursue a wide range of training opportunities.
The CMA prides itself on being a great place to work and strives to ensure that staff have the opportunity to grow and expand their skills portfolio. As well as being a hugely rewarding, diverse and stimulating place to work, you will have an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself while doing so.
This programme is available for those who have been on a career break of at least three years from working as a professional economist.
Please note that for exceptional international candidates, we may be able to sponsor your right to work in the UK, subject to your eligibility to work for the Civil Service. Sponsorship will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days’ leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. The CMA supports flexible working, for example ensuring that staff working on a part-time basis can work on the full range of CMA projects. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme and our employee well-assistance programme.
To find out more about this opportunity and about working for the CMA, please see below and click on the APPLY button.
Please visit our economist LinkedIn page. Please also have a read of our blog to learn more about being an Economist at the CMA.
Further details on the CMA can be found on the CMA’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter pages.
Application closing date: 11.55pm on Monday 20th May 2024.
CMA Online Event:
We will be hosting an online event where you will learn from CMA staff about their experiences working at the CMA. The event will be recorded and will also be available to view on the CMA’s YouTube page. To attend the live event, you can register your interest below.
The online event will be at 1pm (UK) /13:00 on the 17 April 2024.
Live Q&A Event: Economics Returners Programme Tickets, Wed, Apr 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM , Eventbrite
Person specification
Key responsibilities will include the following:
- Working with Assistant Directors, determine the key areas for investigation and the economic analysis required to assess them. Develop the key questions which will inform the direction of the project; decide on and gather appropriate evidence (including drafting information requests and survey questionnaires); and identify how the economic analysis contributes to the overall assessment and approach to be taken in a project.
- Plan and manage the delivery of the economic analysis on projects or workstreams. Detail the economic analysis to be undertaken and agree timetables for delivery; monitor progress and review the work plan as the case develops; and ensure that the economic analysis is delivered on time.
- 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; present analysis clearly and accurately both orally and in writing (in particular by drafting substantial sections of published reports); and review and provide constructive feedback on work produced by colleagues.
- Communicate effectively with the project team, with others across the CMA (including senior management) and external stakeholders (including parties to the investigation/inquiry, government departments and consumer groups). Ensure that managers are kept abreast of relevant analysis and their attention is drawn to matters in which they would want to be informed/ involved; and establish effective working relationships with other staff and parties and their advisers.
- Management responsibilities for one or more Assistant Economists or Economic Interns, including supervising their work, coaching, and providing advice and supporting their development.
- Contribute to the development of the CMA’s economics capability, through knowledge sharing, providing peer review of others’ work and/or input to the policies and procedures of the CMA, representing the CMA at public events including conferences, and contributing to the recruitment of Assistant Economists.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Economic analysis and regulation of markets
Benefits
As well as the interesting and varied work you’ll do to contribute to effective competition in the UK, and to ensure consumers get a good deal when buying goods and services, you’ll also benefit from:
- An exceptionally generous pension scheme with a significant employer contribution and range of options, including a tax-free lump sum at the point of retirement and injury, ill-health and life assurance benefits
- 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
- Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
- Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
- A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work.
Any move to the CMA from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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/ .
If you’re already a civil servant being appointed on level transfer, you’ll retain your existing terms, including annual leave. Where you’re being promoted, however, you’ll receive the greater of a 10% pay increase or the new grade minimum. Applicants new to the civil service may be considered for appointment at a salary higher than the starting point indicated above (depending on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications).
The CMA, like many other organisations, have moved to a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives.
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We want a diverse workforce that reflects the consumers we serve. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including ethnically diverse people, people with a disability, people with diverse gender identities and from people of different ages.
The CMA is an accredited Disability Confident Employer. Disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and an interview. Arrangements for the interview will be enclosed in the invitation sent when you schedule your interview slot.
Interviews will be held face-to-face at the CMAs offices in London and Edinburgh. If you are unable to attend in-person, a virtual interview via MS Teams can be made available on request, however we would like to signal a preference for an in-person interview where possible.
An initial sift based on lead criteria 1, 2 and 3 may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application then progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification of the role profile will then be considered.
Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and recent practical experience for each of the following selection criteria in your application:
1) Career break of at least three years from working as a professional economist (lead selection criteria).
2) A 2:1 undergraduate degree in economics or a post-graduate degree in economics, with strong microeconomics and/or quantitative focus (lead selection criteria).
3) Experience in applying micro economic analysis to real world problems, preferably in the economic analysis and regulation of markets (although not essential) (lead selection criteria).
4) Experience of the design, development and management and timely delivery of economic analysis.
5) Ability to communicate and present technical economic analysis to non-technical audiences, both orally and in writing.
6) Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and forming and developing relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external.
7) Ability to manage others’ work and support their development.
The sifting dates are Tuesday 21st - 28th May 2024.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview.
You will be notified via email to log-in to your Civil Service Account to book your interview slot. You will then be sent an email with full details of your arrangements for interview.
Interviews will start from the 3rd June 2024.
You will be asked to complete a task ahead of the interview, details will be shared at the time of invite to interview. At the beginning of the interview you will be asked to share/present your findings from the task. You will then start your Panel interview. The panel interview will be approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour in length where you will be asked questions based on Behaviours, Technical skills and Experience outlined in the role profile.
If you have any inquiries relating to your application, you can email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.
Reasonable adjustments:
In order for a person with disabilities not to be put at a 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 complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process.
For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : CMA Recruitment Team
- Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
- Telephone : 0208 738 6808
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
Further information
