Trainee Analyst - Agriculture

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for a Trainee Analyst to work on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home.

In this role you will have the opportunity to understand and communicate the detail of domestic and global food production and consumption trends, agricultural commodity markets, government policy and environment and to get out into the food supply chain to present and discuss these matters with key stakeholders.

We expect a lot from our Trainee Analyst. You will hit the ground running, assisting with and taking on board analytical projects both small and large, always with the support of senior team members and more formal training. AHDB takes training and development seriously, and there are a plethora of self-directed and external learning opportunities.

Who is AHDB?

The purpose of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is to make our agricultural industry more competitive and sustainable through factual, evidence-based advice, information and activity.

AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain and managed as an independent organisation (independent of both commercial industry and of government).

The Economics and Analysis Division (AHDB E&A) employs over 40 staff and provides support to our sectors (Cereals & Oilseeds, Pork, Beef & Lamb, and Dairy) and directly to industry. We provide information and analysis on markets, prices, government policy, carbon markets, trade deals, farm economics, consumer and retail insight and much more. We then communicate and present our analysis and research to farmers and others within the supply chain via a variety of different media. This leads to collaborative action by helping inform the decisions that lead to change and improvements within the industry aimed at making it more competitive and sustainable.

AHDB E&A recruits staff from a mix of both agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds. Our Trainee Analyst Scheme provides a structured training and development programme for new entrants into the industry who wish to develop their careers, as well as those with analytical experience who are looking at entering a new role.

Job description

How the Trainee Analyst Scheme works

The Trainee Analyst will be employed on a permanent contract but will participate in a development programme lasting 18 months. At completion of the 18-month programme, a permanent role will be available within the Economics and Analysis Department in line with business requirements.

The programme will involve a number of aspects, including:

• Intensive induction period to build understanding of AHDB and the wider industry
• Tailored training courses to develop both generic and technical skills
• Opportunities to participate in farm and industry visits to build knowledge of agriculture and the wider food supply chain

The main priority of the programme is a series of placements across the key functions within the Economics and Analysis department:

1. Market specialists – for arable or livestock, following trends in the domestic and global agricultural markets and understanding what’s driving them so we can provide explanation, insight and outlooks. You will also get to experience how we collate data to drive our analysis of cost of production and farm margins.
2. Retail and consumer insight – focusing on consumer trends and understanding the demand drivers for agricultural produce. We would seek to understand what people trust and buy when eating out and in the supermarket. How can our stakeholders maximise opportunities for growth? What reputational factors, such as health, the environment and animal welfare, shape buying behaviours?
3. Economist unit – specialising in economic and policy analysis as political changes impact agriculture. Our economic analysis not only looks at macro issues but also includes farm-level economics by reviewing farm business drivers. This team manages our work on the impact of future trade deals and agriculture policy changes together with emerging natural capital markets.

As your career progresses, there will be opportunities to specialise in one of the above areas.

Our Trainee Analyst will support senior team members by assisting with research and analysis of agricultural market intelligence, trade and policy information, consumer and market trends, and environment. The work is varied, challenging and requires a considerable degree of initiative. It also offers a range of potential career development with regular on-and-off job training:

• Assist with the preparation of analysis and its clear dissemination
• Follow existing data and information processes
• Contribute to small and medium-sized projects in consultation with other staff
• Keep abreast of appropriate industry developments
• Maintain effective working contact with internal staff
• Develop communication skills internally and externally

Person specification

• Studying for, or attained, a professional qualification typically to degree standard, or equivalent experience
• An interest – and possible experience – in any of the following areas: agriculture sector/politics and economics/consumer and retail trends/environment
• Intellectual curiosity about how the world works and what drives decision making
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills – the ability both to work with numerical data and write about it
• Outstanding verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to negotiate with a range of stakeholders across AHDB and the industry
• Experience of using modern IT applications, including PowerPoint and Excel
• Good planning and organisation skills, with a structured and methodical approach to any task, identifying priorities and setting deadlines
• Able to work collaboratively within a team environment
• A focus on internal and external customers
• A desire to seek new ideas and areas of research and development to provide solutions for levy payers and industry
• Keen to seek out new opportunities for learning and career progression

Benefits

The benefits…

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with hybrid working
• 33 days annual leave plus one privilege day, inclusive of bank holidays
• Life assurance cover, 4x salary
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to service
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition awards throughout the year
• Reward Gateway membership with a wide range of discounts and savings

Interviews are scheduled to take place during October 2026.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications. For any queries or support with your application, you can contact us at recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

At AHDB, we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.

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

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications

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

Security

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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.

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

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 : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Telephone : 02476 935722

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk