Assistant Economist – Country Risk (Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia)

Job summary

The Division

Economics and Country Risk (ECR) sits within the Risk Management Group (RMG) of UKEF. The Division works closely with UKEF’s Business Group (BG) to assess the risks of supporting UK exports. ECR is split into 2 G6 branches (1x G6 for Sovereign Risk and 1 G6 for Economic Analysis and Policy).

The Sovereign Risk Team provides assessments of economic and political risk factors related to UKEF’s sovereign business and pricing, as well as recommendations on cover policy and country exposure limits.

Job description

About the Role

The postholder will play a crucial role in analysing economic and political risk in countries around the world, making policy proposals to senior UKEF directors, and helping to determine where UKEF can provide support for British exporters and on what terms. This role would be suited to someone with experience or an interest in macroeconomics and international economics, as well as geopolitics.

Main Activities

• To ensure UKEF’s cover and pricing policies reflect the risk in markets whilst enabling UKEF to meet its objective of supporting British exporters.
• To provide assessments and analysis of economic and political risk factors related to UKEF’s sovereign and corporate business. Produce timely and robust analysis, drawing credible and consistent conclusions.
• To monitor developments across the region they cover, building and then maintaining a high level of expertise and knowledge of matters impacting the markets, politics, and sovereign credit risk within the region.
• Represent the Department’s risk assessments and cover policies to internal and external parties and promote and communicate UKEF’s activities.
• Provide effective representation at OECD Country Expert meetings (if required), and Cross-Whitehall meetings.
• To work with other teams in UKEF to evaluate case specific risks, including, alongside country and market risk, climate change risk, regulatory and governance risks, risks relating to business or commodity cycles, competition, entry barriers and product diversification, banking sector systemic risks and the need for additional security or covenants.
• To assist with the development and help maintain the integrity of the Department’s risk management systems and models.
• Maintain, expand and keep up to date with international macroeconomics, international trade and risk management theory and empirical developments. This should include reading both relevant academic papers, discussion pieces, attending seminars and conferences

Person specification

UK Export Finance is looking for motivated individuals with a desire to learn about the business. Successful candidates will be provided not only with functional training to enable them to do well in their role, but also with personal development to help them to achieve their career ambitions. Please note that the person specification below outlines at which stage(s) you will be assessed on how you meet the criteria for the role(s) including:-

A = assessed at application stage I = assessed at interview stage P = assessed at presentation stage

Essential

Qualifications

• Degree in Economics. (A)

Skills/Ability

• Ability to analyse, interpret, and present (quantitative and qualitative) data to inform decision making. (A, I)
• Attention to detail e.g. ability to identify errors, issues, and other anomalies. (A, I)
• Good oral and written communication skills, including ability to respond with authority and credibility within area of responsibility. (A, I)
• Collaborative approach to working, and ability to establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. (A, I)
• Able to work unsupervised, but also able to recognise when to seek advice or support. (I)

Experience

• Experience working in a role dealing with one or more of international economics, finance, or risk analysis. (A)

Other Requirements e.g. travel, languages

• Some overseas travel may be required.

Qualifications

Degree in Economics.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• A case study exercise which will involve writing a short brief, to be prepared in advance, which will be discussed at the interview stage

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,000, UK Export Finance contributes £12,457 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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.

The application must be completed by 23.55 on the day of the closing date for it to be accepted.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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.

Please ensure that you read through the Candidate Information Pack attached to this advert, before applying.

All applications will be sifted against our essential criteria outlined in the personal specification. .

• Qualification: Degree in Economics. (A)
• Behaviour statements - 250 word statement on each of the following:
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Workin