Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Locations: Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York (flexible, according to candidate preference) 

Number of positions available: 6

Salary: National: £33,590 London: £37,480 Grade: HEO

About Defra  
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. 

Overview of work area(s)   
Assistant Economist in Defra work closely with colleagues to structure policy problems and ensure economic analysis informs decision making, making best use of available data and evidence.  You will work primarily with an Economic Advisor and wider analysts to develop the evidence base, drawing from a range of expertise, undertaking quality assured economic appraisal and evaluation, and providing robust analytical advice.  Responsibilities may include: 

• Conducting and reporting analysis, to ensure policy options are underpinned by careful synthesis of available evidence and forward-looking analysis. 
• Communicating with and advising policy colleagues on what the latest evidence and analysis tells you; 
• Managing stakeholder engagement, analysing and reporting on outputs; 
• Addressing policy needs through development, testing and application of advanced models. 

Defra Economist community   

At Defra you will join a diverse but cohesive group of economists working to deliver high quality, impactful economics to achieve great outcomes.  We work together to foster a strong collective identity to ensure we are impactful, skilful, vibrant as a community, and connected to the outside world.  

You will join a culture where continuous learning is encouraged, and colleagues are happy to share their expertise. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues from alternative professions such as policy, science, statistics, operational research, and social research, in a rich learning and policy-making environment.  We will also offer you the chance to develop economic and policy competences through in-work training and opportunities, such as economic seminars. 

Defra is looking for assistant economists to work across a range of areas and within various teams, including:  

• Environmental Quality Team - appraisal of new legislation for reforms to mandatory registration of manufactured chemicals, assessment of costs and benefits for authorisation of otherwise banned chemicals and other economics-based advice to policy. 
• Food Chain Analysis Team – Work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team which includes Economists, Statisticians and Social researchers to provide economic support to the Agri-Food Chain Directorate. Undertaking economic analysis to support food sector performance and productivity, public sector food procurement and economic evaluation of various food-related legislative changes.
• Data Analysis Response Team (DART) - bringing timely data, analysis and insights from across and beyond Defra to support situational awareness on key issues relating to the Department’s critical sectors.  
• Natural Environment, Trees, and Landscape - recovering, enhancing and protecting our natural environment. Economists may work on developing new Green Governance and Levers to support national landscapes, improve soils and protect peatland. 
• Northern Ireland Directorate - undertaking economic analysis to support smooth implementation of the Windsor Framework and the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 
• Floods & Water - refining water environment regulation, economic regulation of the water utility sector including ongoing market reform, and the costs, benefits and incentive issues surrounding the management of flood risk. 
• Office of the Chief Economist The team has a key, strategic role to play leading on cross-cutting issues, such as the sectoral impact of AI and analysis of supply chain impacts, as well as ensuring that high quality analysis is driving Defra's strategy, policy and ways of working 
• The Animal & Plant Health & Welfare directorate works to find the most effective ways to protect the nation from animal and plant diseases and pests which can have significant impacts on consumers, industry, the rural economy and livelihoods 

Security Clearance  
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks. 

Please note that for candidates who wish to be based in London, candidates are required to have a UK footprint of 3 years and no period longer than 3 months outside of the UK in order to obtain the necessary get security clearance. 

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.
• You must have the continuous right to work in the UK from your start date for a minimum of 3 years. If you are on a visa, it must be valid for the entire duration of the program.