Senior Assistant Economist SEO

Job summary

Join Defra as a Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Economist and apply your skills to some of the UK’s most important environmental and biosecurity challenges. We are recruiting economists into three high‑priority areas – Air Quality, Chemicals, and Exotic Animal Disease – each offering the opportunity to shape policy using robust, practical analysis.

Across these roles, you will work closely with policy, science and delivery colleagues to ensure that economic evidence is at the heart of decision‑making. You will lead pieces of analysis, contribute to major policy reforms and provide clear, credible advice to a range of audiences, including senior decision‑makers.

These roles span a diverse set of issues: improving the evidence base for air quality interventions; designing and assessing chemicals regulation in a complex domestic and international landscape; and supporting preparedness and response to high‑impact animal disease outbreaks. While the policy contexts differ, all roles require strong analytical skills, careful judgement and the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines.

This is an opportunity to build your experience as an applied economist, influence real‑world outcomes, and contribute to Defra’s wider analytical community.

Job description

Air Quality Economist

The role involves working closely with policy and other analytical colleagues to help identify analytical needs and ensure analysis is used effectively to inform policy development. The postholder works across teams to continually prioritise and focus resources as demands change. The role involves working collaboratively across the science and analysis team, with policy colleagues, and with analysts and policy makers more widely in Defra and other government departments, as well as external/academic experts. The postholder leads analytical projects, proactively produces high-quality and policy-relevant analysis and communicates analysis to a range of audiences. The postholder also plays an important role in the economist profession more widely by developing and championing analytical excellence across the department.

Key responsibilities

• Air quality appraisal - Leading on the development of an evidence strategy to address evidence gaps for the Defra air quality appraisal guidance.
• Wider air quality economics projects - Leading the co-ordination of Defra input into a cross-government project to produce updated, robust values for a Value of a Life Year and representing Defra in wider forums such as the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) to ensure the continuous development of the air quality evidence base.
• Economic case review and assurance - Assuring the economic case of local authority NO2 plans to ensure value for money and distributional impacts have been considered robustly.
• Value for money evaluation of LA plans - Expert economic input includes the provision of economic data, advising on methodology and reviewing evaluation outputs.
• Economic input in air quality/environmental analytical workstreams - Contributing economic input as needed into NO2 and wider air quality/environmental quality analytical workstreams.
• Proactively leading economic projects.- These may include delivering through external contractors, setting clear expectations and holding suppliers to account to deliver robust economic analysis
• Effective communication - Communication of economic evidence/methods to non-economists at all levels

Chemicals Economist

The chemical sector is a major sector to the UK economy, critical to wider manufacturing sectors, with complex European and global supply chains. However, the unsound management of hazardous chemicals is recognised as a cause of human health problems, biodiversity loss and climate change in the UK and globally. Prior to EU Exit, much of chemicals regulation was led at the EU level, but now that the UK has left the EU, chemicals regulation has become a significant area of domestic policy.

You will develop options analysis to support the design and implementation of UK chemicals regulations, centred on policies governed by international agreements. You will work closely with the policy experts, scientists, and colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency to understand health and environmental impacts, contributing to policy development. You will design and lead new analysis to support policy development that balances the economic benefits of chemicals with the risks to human health and the environment.

You will apply environmental economics to ensure that the policies developed to meet these commitments provide value for money, and consider impacts to industry and wider society.

The post holder will work in the Chemicals, Infrastructure and Planning Analysis team that sits within a wider multi-disciplinary team of social researchers, statisticians and scientists in the Air Quality, Nuclear and Evidence Division.

The role covers chemicals regulation set domestically through the UK REACH scheme. This scheme is currently undergoing major reform to streamline registration of chemicals produced in or imported into the UK. There is also ongoing work to assess applications for bespoke use of restricted chemicals and to introduce new restrictions on use of certain chemicals, such as PFAS. These work areas are likely to be the main focus over the next 6 – 12 months.

This role also covers chemicals regulation set internationally that require economic appraisal and advice leading into international negotiations and also for the implementation of international agreements into domestic legislation. Prominent among these is the UN Stockholm Convention that negotiates the bans of Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPs), the toxic chemicals that persist in organisms for a long time, bioaccumulate in animals, travel across borders (can be found in polar bears!), and contribute to biodiversity loss.

The role would require working closely with policy teams, the Environment Agency, industry, OGDs to appraise the business and environmental impacts of banning POPs. This will likely require commissioning research projects to develop evidence and producing de-minimis/impact assessments. POPs are also found in many waste streams which makes it illegal for local authorities and businesses to dispose of them in landfill at the end of their life due to the potential for it to leach into the environment.

Your advice will be needed for designing appropriate regulations and policy responses (i.e. incinerating contaminated waste) to the issues of POPs in waste. Similarly, there are international agreements and domestic controls for mercury and detergents.

Exotic Animal Diseases Economist

The SEO Exotic Animal Disease Economist provides the lead economic function for Defra’s work on exotic disease preparedness and response. The role sits jointly across the National Biosecurity Centre and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, reflecting the shared analytical needs of these areas. The post holder is responsible for developing, assuring and communicating economic analysis that informs policy and operational decisions on high‑impact exotic diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza.

The role involves designing analytical approaches, building and maintaining economic models, interpreting epidemiological evidence and producing costed policy and operational options. The post holder works closely with epidemiologists, statisticians, operational researchers, social researchers and policy colleagues to ensure that economic evidence is aligned with scientific modelling, operational feasibility and policy intent. There is established team guidance on model validation and updating, but the post holder leads discussions on how models are structured, how assumptions are agreed and how outputs are presented, ensuring that analytical decisions are made collaboratively and transparently.

A key part of the role is providing expert economic advice to the NBC Programme Board, representing the Chief Economist. This includes advising the Senior Responsible Owner on the economic implications of programme choices, the robustness of business case evidence and whether options meet Green Book standards. The post holder also contributes to the long‑term development of the Exotic Disease Framework, including work to bring the five business‑critical disease models up to standard, improve reproducibility and ensure consistency across the portfolio.

During outbreaks, the role provides rapid economic assessments under conditions of uncertainty, working with scientific and operational colleagues to determine appropriate scenarios and assumptions. The post holder identifies analytical gaps, determines how they should be addressed and develops new approaches where existing tools are insufficient.

The role requires strong communication skills, as the post holder must explain complex economic concepts and uncertainties to senior officials, policy teams and external stakeholders, including industry representatives and academic experts. The post offers the opportunity to lead high‑profile analytical work in an area of significant financial, operational and scientific scrutiny, and to shape the evidence base that underpins Defra’s exotic disease response.

Person specification

Essential requirements

• A first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint economics degree, at least 50% of the total course credits must be in economics.
• Membership of the Government Economic Service (GES) or eligibility to become a member of the GES.
• Experience applying economic analysis to real‑world policy, appraisal or evaluation, including use of core tools (e.g. cost–benefit analysis).
• Ability to develop clear, proportionate analysis in uncertain or complex contexts, using sound judgement to inform decision‑making.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain economic concepts and evidence clearly to non‑economists at all levels.
• Experience working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including policy, analytical and delivery colleagues.
• Ability to plan and manage analytical work, prioritising effectively and delivering high‑quality outputs to tight deadlines.
• Experience of interpreting and integrating different types of evidence (e.g. scientific, statistical or operational) into economic advice.
• A commitment to high analytical standards and continuous improvement, aligned with the Government Economic Service and Green Book principles.

Qualifications

The candidate must have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent) or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint economics degree, at least 50% of the total course credits must be in economics.

Memberships

The candidate must be a member of the Government Economic Service (GES) or eligible to become a member of the GES.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Government Economic Service Competency: Application of knowledge

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,665, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £12,360 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a CV to demonstrate your experience relating to the Essential Requirements listed in the job advert. This is a name-blind (anonymous) CV covering your previous job history, qualifications and experience.

The application form will ask you to demonstrate the following Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

You will need to confirm the following mandatory requirements at the application stage:

• that you have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint economics degree, at least 50% of the total course credits must be in economics.
• membership of the Government Economic Service (GES) or eligibility to become a member of the GES.

Sift

A sift will be conducted against your CV, the Behaviours, and the mandatory requirements listed above. In the event of receiving a large number of applications we will sift against CV, the lead Behaviour and the mandatory requirements.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview, which will assess the same four Behaviours as noted above, and the technical skill: GES Competency 'Application of Knowledge'.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams and are expected to last no longer than 60 minutes. You will receive a link to join the interview, sent to the email address you provide on your application.

Further Information

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

An analyst uplift of £3,000 will apply to these roles, in addition to the base salary.

Reserve List

We aim to establish a reserve list of successful candidates; those placed on the reserve list will remain eligible for appointment for up to 12 months. Offers of employment will be made in merit order as vacancies arise across relevant business areas.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between Government Departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Near Miss Candidates

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Vetting

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Rodney Aiken
• Email : Rodney.Aike@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here