Guidance

Assistant Economist Scheme 2022

A Brilliant Career in the Government Economic Service. Join us as an Assistant Economist.

Government Economic Service Assistant Economist 2022 scheme will be open for applications on 7 March 2022.

Salary: £27k to £32k

Location: London and various

Candidate Pack 2021

Job Description 2021

Our Role in Government

The Government Economic Service is at the heart of everything government does with high quality economic analysis essential to decision making in everything from negotiating new trade deals to building HS2, from supporting regional growth to managing the UK’s debt.

Click here for more information on the role Economists play in various government departments.

Who we are looking for

This is a recruitment scheme for economics graduates which sits beside the fast stream as a main route into a role as an Assistant Economist in the Government Economic Service. To help us deliver analysis we are looking for 90 economists to join us and influence the day-to-day lives of every person in the UK.

As an assistant economist, you will be joining a community of over 1,500 economists across more than 30 organisations, putting your economic learning to direct use by influencing high profile public policies with the best possible economic analysis. This is an exciting time to be joining the civil service, and with continuous support you’ll prepare vital briefings for ministers or the public, provide advice on policy options, and ensure the quality and appropriate use of economic statistics.

Developing your skills

We take your development seriously and while earning a competitive salary, there will be plenty of support to further your development as an economist. You will broaden your subject knowledge through 50 hours of continuous professional development a year and a further 50 hours on personal skills.

The GES offers plenty of courses and high-quality training to help you do so where some of the competences you could develop include:

  • strong quantitative skills: you’ll become an expert in manipulating and presenting data

  • writing and presentation techniques: communicating economics clearly and succinctly to senior officials and ministers

  • applied economics skills: using economic insights and techniques to inform policy on anything from the environment to transport.

Eligibility

A new candidate pack for 2022 will be published shortly. For reference, please see the candidate pack Candidate Pack 2021 (PDF, 496 KB, 11 pages) for more information.

Applicants will need:

  • to possess or expected to have a first or upper second class honours degree with at least 50% of the modules in economics, or have a masters in economics.
  • modules must have covered both micro and macroeconomics to qualify.
  • if you graduated more than five years ago then you must have examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge on the competency section of the application form.

Contract Terms and Applications

Contracts are open to accommodate working pattern needs and can be on a full or part-time basis. All civil servants are appointed on merit through fair and open competition. The selection process will consider your attitude, capability, talent and willingness to learn. If appointed you will be expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Immigration

Please note that it is possible to meet the above nationality requirements and still not be legally entitled to work in the UK.

Individuals will need to demonstrate their eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs). Nationality requirements are explained in more detail on the Civil Service nationality rules webpage.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as we do not offer sponsorship.

For full details please see Nationality requirements.

Deferrals

Candidates who pass the Economic Assessment may only defer appointment to complete a postgraduate degree in economics or to complete the Overseas Development Institute Fellowship.

Deferrals are granted for a maximum of 2 years. Candidates who do not take up appointment within this period will need to re-apply.

Equal Opportunities

At the GES we welcome applications from anyone with the necessary qualifications, regardless of sex, marital status, race, colour, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or, in Northern Ireland, community background. There are no age limits, but employing departments will expect several years’ service before retirement.

How to Apply

The Government Economic Service Assistant Economist 2022 will open on 7 March 2022.

A new 2022 job description pack will be published shortly. For reference a selection of job descriptions for the 2021 scheme can be found in the Job Description 2021 (PDF, 636 KB, 31 pages)

Social media

Please follow our social media accounts to keep up to date with relevant information.

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Complaints procedure

For details on our complaints procedure, please click here

Published 11 January 2018
Last updated 2 March 2022 + show all updates
  1. Date updated for 2022 scheme

  2. 2021 scheme closed at 11.55am on 19 March 2021

  3. Link to application form for the 2021 scheme included

  4. Government Economic Service Assistant Economist Scheme for 2021 is due to open for applications on 8 March.

  5. link to Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) webpage added.

  6. 2020 Job Description Pack included

  7. First line after Body now has been changed to Government Economic Service Assistant Economist Scheme will open on Thursday 6th February 2020..

  8. Applications due to open in February 2020

  9. note - next scheme will be advertised in January 2020

  10. Social Media links added

  11. First published.