Assistant Economist

Full job description
Details
Reference number
428769
Salary
£41,565 - £55,298
Additional £4,200 analyst allowance
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Fixed term
Loan
Secondment
Length of employment
2 years
Business area
DCMS - Analysis
Type of role
Economist
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
Manchester, London
About the job
Job summary
he role is based in the Cultural and Creative Industries Analysis team. The team is embedded within Cultural and Creative Industries directorate (CCI). The directorate’s work includes: overseeing a number of public bodies (Arms Length Bodies), eg: Arts Council England and our National Museums; supporting the wider cultural and creative sectors; delivering our own policy, projects and programmes in areas such as AI and Technology; and working with partners around Whitehall to promote the value of our sectors.

Our mission is to ensure high-quality evidence and analysis informs all stages of the policy cycle across CCI. Our mission is supported by 4 objectives:

Deliver influential analysis to inform policy, delivery and strategic decisions
Building our evidence base by identifying and filling our key evidence gaps through high quality research, data and evaluation
Work with others (policy, ALBs, academia, ESRC, AHRC etc) to deliver joined up evidence and analysis and maximise impact
Provide the right environment, support and opportunities for team members to flourish, developing as individuals and delivering excellent outputs, and maintaining our wellbeing.
As a embedded team we work collaboratively with our policy teams and stakeholders to drive positive change, shape policy and set direction. More recently, our work has been focused on Government’s missions, including Health, Growth and Opportunity Mission.

Job description
You will support analytical work for the Museum and Cultural Property team providing support in a dynamic and varied policy environment. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a newly formed analytical team; with scope for both internal and external research, use of best practice and innovative approaches to articulating the value of the museums and cultural property team.

We are looking for a highly driven assistant economist with strong technical skills. Given the embedded nature of the role, you will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including Arms-Length Bodies, academia, consultancies, and research councils. This position is well-suited to individuals who can confidently engage with policy officials and external stakeholders.

You will also need to take the initiative in addressing the analytical needs of policy officials, work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrate an inquisitive approach to applying and developing evidence.

Person specification
Essential Requirements:

Strong econometric and statistical skills with a proven ability to identify key analytical questions and design the most appropriate approach to address them. You should be proficient in using analytical tools such as R or Python for econometric modeling and analysis.
Experience and strong applied knowledge of microeconomic and macroeconomic principles to real-world policy problems.
A self-starter who can quickly absorb new information, take ownership of analytical projects and proactively define priorities and action plans.
The ability to convey complex analytical concepts and findings clearly to a wide range of stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
Project management and organisational skills, as you will drive forward discrete pieces of work, ensuring they are delivered on time and within resource.
Essential Qualifications:

You must be a full member or meet the requirements to become a member of one of the analytical professions Government Economic Service (GES) or Government Operational Research Service (GORS). As part of your application you will be required to confirm which profession you are aligned to.

To join one of these professions through this recruitment, you will need as a minimum to meet one of the following qualification standards:

Government Economic Service
Membership requires a minimum 2.1 honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics.
Full criteria can be found in the GES membership guidance.
Desirable Skills

An understanding of the museum and creative industries sector.
Experience of economic appraisal methodologies.
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Thomas Colwill, and will take place on:

13:30 29th September 2026
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.

Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form by 29th September 2026 10:00 and you will be sent an invitation.

Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk

Qualifications
You must be a full member or meet the requirements to become a member of one of the analytical professions Government Economic Service (GES) or Government Operational Research Service (GORS). As part of your application you will be required to confirm which profession you are aligned to.
To join one of these professions through this recruitment, you will need as a minimum to meet one of the following qualification standards:
Government Economic Service
Membership requires a minimum 2.1 honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics.
Full criteria can be found in the GES membership guidance included in attached Candidate Information Pack.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Technical skills to be tested at interview will be based on your chosen profession at application: (GES): Level 2 - SEO Application of Knowledge (GES Technical Framework) Level 2 - SEO Analysis of data (GES Technical Framework)
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,565, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £12,041 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home

26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice

3 days of paid volunteering leave

Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave

Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year

Occupational sick pay

Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice

Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks

Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work

Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.

Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
A Statement of Suitability (max 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.
For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.

For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.

For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the ‘Application and Interview Guidance’ document attached to the job advert.

In most cases interviews will take place remotely via Google Meet video call. However please refer to the Candidate Information Pack to confirm the interview approach.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

If the vacancy is offered as FTA/Loan, existing Civil Servants must join on a Loan basis only. Prior agreement to be released on loan must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Candidate Information Pack’ attached.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 circumstances

some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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 applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Reasonable Adjustment

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.

In order to request an adjustment, please:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on 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 a verbal test rather than a written one.

Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.

Feedback


Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .

See our vetting charter .
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)
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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 : Tom Colwill
Email : tom.colwill@dcms.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/