CMA2081 Economic Adviser

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 .

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 programmeFlexible 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 workOngoing support from an experienced mentor for longer-term guidance on career/personal developmentDedicated 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 . 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 . Please also have a read of our to learn more about being an Economist at the CMA.

Further details on the CMA can be found on the CMA�s , , , and pages.

Application closing date: 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� 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.

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 InfluencingMaking Effective DecisionsDeveloping Self and OthersWorking Together

Technical skills

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

Economic analysis and regulation of markets

Benefits

Alongside your salary of �59,100, Competition & Markets Authority contributes �15,957 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

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 benefits25 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 volunteeringSeason ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye testsAccess to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free TastecardA 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.

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.

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