Location: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
About the job
The Analysis team consists of c.20 analysts, leading the Directorate?s research, appraisal and evaluation work, ensuring policy decisions are informed by robust analysis across the directorate. We work with policy teams to provide interesting, varied and insightful analysis to support competition policy, Smart Data, product safety policy, consumer policy and subsidy control. Analysis supports all stages of policy development from early problem identification to options assessment and policy evaluation.
Job summary
This is a brilliant opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of Smart Data, an innovative cross-government policy with wide reaching opportunities for businesses and consumers. Smart Data is the secure sharing of consumer data, with their consent, to third parties to provide innovative services. Open Banking is currently considered the only live example of an arrangement comparable to a Smart Data; it enables consumers to use third party services to securely move and manage their money. Open Banking services have over 19 million users in the UK and the ecosystem is worth more than £4 billion. In March 2026, Government published the UK?s Smart Data Strategy, setting out the 10-year vision for Smart Data. The strategy committed to delivering 5+ Smart Data schemes by 2030; 20+ by 2035. BIST leads the delivery of the Strategy, in collaboration with departments such as HMT, DESNZ, MHCLG, DSIT, and DfT. You will work with the policy team to deliver the Strategy commitments, providing interesting, varied and insightful analysis to support the development of Smart Data policy. This analysis could support all stages of policy development from early problem identification to options assessment and policy evaluation. You will design, manage and deliver external and internal research projects that will advance the evidence base on Smart Data.
Person specification
Essential Criteria The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage; The successful candidate will need to be (or become) a badged member of either the Government Economic Service or Government Social Research profession Analytical skills ? Experience of using analysis to support sound policy development. Collaboration ? Experience of collaborating with colleagues across professions and with different backgrounds to deliver shared outcomes. Communication ? Experience of communicating analysis to a non-technical audience. Making Effective Decisions ? Experience of making and communicating decisions effectively where information is limited or conflicting.
Government Economic Service
Economists must have: 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 degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics. have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics. Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Economist at the grade applied for or be an existing member of the Government Economic Service. Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the Government Economic Service (GES). Details can be found in the GES Framework. These will be assessed during the selection process, including at both sift of your written application and interview. Applicants who are civil servants but not members of the GES and anyone applying from outside government must be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of the GES, as successful appointment will include membership of the GES. For applicants applying after more than a couple of years after university, who are not an existing member of the GES relevant experience consists of experience working on economic analysis or research including for example in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GES through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your economic experience and skills covering the three components of the GES technical framework. All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GES profession set out in the GES Technical Framework ? a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
Government Social Research
To be eligible to apply you will need to hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2. The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. OR hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years? social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Social Researcher at the grade applied for or be an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR). Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the GSR. Details can be found in the GSR Framework. These will be assessed during the selection process, including at both sift of your written application and interview. Applicants who are civil servants but not members of the GSR and anyone applying from outside government must be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of the GSR, as successful appointment will include membership of the GSR.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,913, Department for Business and Trade contributes £13,011 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 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception. Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences. Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 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. Any applicant who has 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. Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you. Please note ? the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role. Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.