Senior Economist

NEF are looking for a talented Senior Economist to lead our policy and research work on social policy issues, with a particular focus on social security, work and incomes.

In this role, you would help NEF to make the case for an adequate and supportive social security system, both to reduce poverty but also to improve conditions in the labour market and help more people into good jobs. Alongside this, you will also support with wider work on housing and public services.

This role will manage an exciting programme of work at a critical time, following the recent change of government. You will use your outstanding technical expertise and project management experience to design and deliver quality, cutting-edge research capable of winning changes in policy and public opinion.

You will be a passionate champion of our work – influencing policy and decision makers in government, the civil service political parties, as well as civil society organisations and media who are shaping the debate. This will be a fantastic opportunity for someone who can demonstrate progressively senior responsibility and impact in an economist role, and who is looking for their next challenge.

You will bring outstanding technical skills and subject knowledge, as well as a good understanding of how to effect changes in policy and practice. You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and be an effective project manager, line manager and fundraiser.

Hours of work: NEF operates a Shorter Working Week, with a full-time equivalent of 32 hours per week. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant, including secondment or a part-time role. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

Salary: £52,124 per annum

Deadline for applications: 25th November at 9am

Start date: ASAP

Location: Staff are encouraged, where possible, to spend two days a week in our central London office, but we will explore different arrangements with individuals where this is helpful to support making reasonable adjustments for those with protected characteristics and/or caring responsibilities.

You must be eligible to work in the UK, we are unable to sponsor visas.

How to apply: for more information and how to apply, please visit our website.

Please also complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form.

NEF is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in research and policy making and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities; people who identify as being LGTBQIA; people who have a mental health condition; and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past.

We are also aware that many highly capable prospective candidates nonetheless rule themselves out of work in research and policy because they underestimate their own ability to do the role. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from anyone who is prepared to learn and grow on the job and would like to stress that past experience of working in think tanks is not required.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.  NEF believes in diversity and we make use of positive action to select between candidates of equal merit as a way to address under-representation in our workforce.

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