Economist

​Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.
 

Key information

Organisation: GLA
Job title: Economist
Salary:  £47,245 per annum                       Grade:  7
Contract type: 1 x Permanent                    Reference: 856
Team: GLA Economics                           
Directorate: Strategy and Communication
Interview date: 28 April to 2 May

Location: Union street, Hybrid

Application closing date: 30 March 2025

Strategy and Communications

Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation-wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

About the team 

GLA Economics’ analysis and advice inform key decisions at the Greater London Authority (GLA). Located within the multidisciplinary City Intelligence Unit, we collaborate with specialist teams in areas including demography, social policy, opinion research, and spatial analysis. We also work closely with policy colleagues from across the GLA Group, in particular the team responsible for delivering the objectives of the  Adult Skills Fund (ASF). 

You can find out more about the work we carry out on our publications page and on the London Datastore including our team’s analysis of the London Learner Survey and Apprenticeship Statistics for London.. 

About the role 

The devolution of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) to the Mayor of London since 2019 and a policy landscape dominated by major challenges and profound changes (e.g. local skills planning, devolution and the transition to net zero) have generated additional analytical demands for the GLA and its stakeholders. 

As part of GLA Economics, you'll contribute towards our strategic focus: delivering robust analysis of London's skills system and labour market to support the GLA’s skills policy and delivery. This work has real impact, underpinning decisions that affect the lives of people who live and study in London.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop expertise and provide high quality analysis with a focus on the ASF and skills related issues in London. They will be expected to support the GLA to identify and meet its needs for data and other information to re-shape post-18 skills provision in London. This includes promoting a more ‘open data’ approach to education and skills-related data, while acknowledging and protecting data privacy. 

As an Economist in this role, you will:

•    Gather data and develop insights from labour market and skills datasets such as the Labour Force Survey, Employer Skills Survey, and those produced by the Department for Education (DFE).
•    Generate a range of materials to communicate findings to internal and external audiences, including presentations, dashboards, blogs, briefings, and reports.
•    Help to deepen our understanding of how London’s skills system, including the Adult Skills Fund, meets the economic and social needs of Londoners and London employers.
•    Build evidence around the skills needs of the mayor’s priority sectors as well as how under-represented Londoners and young people engage and experience the skills and labour market system in London.

You will be expected to work flexibly across a variety of other topics reflecting emerging issues facing the London economy and skills system. This could include work related to London’s growth plan and other strategies which are aimed at supporting skills development in London. The role will also combine long-term analytical projects with short-term demands for information and data.

What your day will look like

We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic about using data and evidence to support policy development for Londoners around the skills and education system, work effectively both independently and within a team, and who want to use their skills to make a real difference to the future success of London and the lives of its citizens. You will: 

1. Cultivate a deep understanding of London's labour market and skills system and provide high-quality analysis that informs GLA activities. Work with others to find creative and workable solutions to analytical problems where necessary.
2. Assist the Supervisory and Senior Economists in identifying their requirements for economic data and analysis, challenging, and informing policy development and delivery effectively. 
3. Combine data from a variety of sources, including large-scale surveys, to develop insightful secondary analysis and produce policy relevant outputs on London’s skills system and labour market. 
4. Ensure outputs are produced to high professional standards, which may include briefings, literature reviews, data mapping, visualisation, dashboards, descriptive and econometric analyses.
5. Provide clear, evidence-based communication to internal and external stakeholders, informing decision-making in the GLA Group and providing a valuable, credible resource to external stakeholders.
6. Understand and communicate the strengths and limitations of different data sources to stakeholders in the GLA Group. 
7. Help realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.
8. Embrace a flexible approach to work, participating in multidisciplinary groups and project teams within GLA Economics, across the GLA Group, and with relevant external organisations. Adapt to changing priorities and workloads as necessary.

Skills, knowledge and experience 

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in economics or a related subject, preferably to post-graduate level. 
• Evidence of success in undertaking analytical projects, designing and preparing clear and concise reports, presentations, dashboards and briefings on complex issues. 
• Evidence of knowledge and understanding of national and London labour market, skills and education trends and issues, and how these might affect policy and service delivery options for the GLA Group.
• Knowledge and understanding of the main sources of official statistics on the labour market and skills within the UK. 
• Strong numeracy and quantitative modelling skills, including experience of technical/economic modelling, and an ability to find creative and workable solution to analytical problems. 
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and an ability to use specialised statistical software packages for carrying out economic analysis (such as R, Stata, or Python).

Behavioural Competencies

1.    Research and analysis
… is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Proactively seeks new information sources to progress research agendas and address gaps in knowledge
• Grasps limitations of or assumptions behind data sources, disregarding those that lack quality
• Analyses and integrates qualitative and quantitative data to find new insights
• Translates research outcomes into concise, meaningful reports Identifies relevant and practical research questions for the future

2.    Problem solving
… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Processes and distils a variety of information to understand a problem fully
• Proposes options for solutions to presented problems
• Builds on the ideas of others to encourage creative problem solving
• Thinks laterally about own work, considering different ways to approach problems
• Seeks the opinions and experiences of others to understand different approaches to problem solving

3.    Communicating and Influencing

... is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders
• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both in verbal and written communication
• Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively
• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way
• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally

4.    Planning and organising
… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Prioritises work in line with key team and project deliverables
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work
• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met

5.    Stakeholder focus
… is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.  

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear   
• Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders
• Delivers a timely and accurate service 
• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapts own service accordingly
• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA’s service to Londoners

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply 

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

-    Up to date CV 
-    Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.
Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)
As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. 

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Monet Durieux would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at monet.durieux@london.gov.uk. . 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Assessment process 

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment. The interview will include a presentation, with the topic shared ahead of the interview date.

The interview/assessment date is: week commencing 28 April 2025

Equality, diversity and inclusion 
London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 
Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits
GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.
In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information 

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.  

Have you uploaded both your CV and a separate personal statement as an individual documents?
1.    Yes, I have uploaded both.
2.    No, I have not uploaded both yet.

Find out which DBS check is right for your employee - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Secondment Opportunity
If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying 
•    On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;
•    successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and
•    at least 18 months service with the GLA 

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment.  For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure..

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application

More Support
If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
 
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. 

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.