Economics Advisor
Edinburgh or London
£47,027 - £63,626
Team Overview
Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications sectors. We regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line and mobile telecoms, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate, with the aim of furthering the interests of UK citizens and consumers.
The Economics Group provides the economic analysis that underpins everything Ofcom does to improve communications services for people and businesses.
Purpose of the Role
The purpose of the role is to provide high quality economic analysis to support our work across economic regulation, competition policy and consumer issues.
Requirements of the Role
- Identify the key economic issues on a variety of projects
- Provide high quality economic analysis, including anticipating and considering counter-arguments or different points of view, from others within Ofcom and from external stakeholders
- Potentially manage large complex data sets, spreadsheets, econometric models, algorithms, and AI
- Provide clear, well-reasoned drafting, including for documents that will be published
- Communicate the economic issues convincingly when attending team meetings, governance meetings and meetings with stakeholders
Skills, knowledge and experience
Experience of applying competition and regulatory economics: We welcome candidates with an academic and/or working background in industrial organisation, competition economics, economics of online platforms, auction design or regulatory economics. The candidate should be able to demonstrate that he/she has an ability to apply economic concepts from these areas to real world situations. This could have been gained through working at a consultancy, another regulator, competition authority or government agency/department, or a regulated company
Strong quantitative skills: Candidates should have a working knowledge of Big Data, AI & machine learning techniques, or developing advanced models, or undertaking econometric modelling, interpreting information, and having good attention to detail. Proficiency in the use of software e.g. Stata, R, Python etc is very welcome
Collaboration and communication: Candidates should have an ability to apply economic concepts to unfamiliar situations and have excellent collaboration and communication skills with the ability to collaborate with other economists, as well as lawyers, technical experts, accountants and policy specialists and communicate effectively in writing and orally
Qualifications
At a minimum, a degree in economics and/or a post-graduate qualification (MSc or a PhD).
Competences
PLANNING, PROJECT & PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT:
- Creates detailed project plans and/or an approach towards the project ensuring time for the governance process and leads delivery of work to expectations (e.g. Time/quality/cost), taking full ownership of progress
- Oversees and co-ordinates work beyond own area of expertise, ensuring team members from other areas understand requirements and identifies and pre-empts issues setting up contingency plans
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT (INTERNAL & EXTERNAL):
- Shows understanding of the interests and needs of internal and external stakeholders and when appropriate, represents and explains Ofcom’s position externally
- Builds effective relationships, adapting own style and approach when appropriate and seeks and respects feedback and input from others
COMMUNICATION (WRITTEN & ORAL):
- Draws complex ideas into a clear and focused document, ensuring the quality and timeliness of own and others’ written material and makes sure people understand the rationale behind their thinking decisions and actions
- Anticipates possible challenges and objections, prepares thoroughly and looks to influence through formal and informal channels, tailoring approach to a range of audiences
PROBLEM SOLVING & ANALYSIS:
- Identifies the key issues and hypotheses, showing sound judgement by considering the practicality, risks, and long-term implications of options
- Undertakes constructive, insightful, and timely analysis, identifies the relevant data required to explore a question, performs the best modelling to gather the strongest evidence and reviews analysis performed by others.
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERTISE:
- Applies specialist knowledge in one or more related areas
- Puts the work in a wider context, understanding the broader picture
Further Information
To apply please submit an up to date CV and cover letter explaining your suitability for the role by, the closing date of 8th May 2019. You can do so by following the instructions above at “Apply for this job online”.
All Ofcom staff enjoy generous benefits including private medical care, a private pension and 25 days’ leave (with the option of purchasing up to 10 additional days).
Ofcom offers flexible working arrangements to help manage work and personal commitments. We have family friendly policies that actively seek to support our colleagues and enable our teams to work in the most effective way. We welcome applications from candidates who would like to work part-time or flexibly, so please tell us what your preferred working arrangements are.
Ofcom is an equal opportunities employer and committed to equality of opportunity for all.
This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.
Additional Keywords: Economics Advisor, Finance Advisor, Economic Strategy Advisor, Economic Policy Advisor, Resources Advisor, Economic Strategy Manager, Economic Policy Manager