/ Economist
Professional/ Specialist Skills Framework

Effective from April 2007
ECONOMISTS PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE FRAMEWORK

The Profession Competence Framework for the Government Economics Service (GES) is based around:

  • entry requirements;
  • continuous professional development (CPD) requirements;

with an economics ‘core’

  • PSG Core Skills; and
  • professional expertise.

Further details on the above items are given below.

Page 1 of 21

Overview of GES Professional Entry and CPD Standards

Entry via: / Entry requirement:
qualification / Entry requirement:
applied economics / Entry
requirement:
PSG core skills / CPD:
Economics / CPD:
Other (50 hours)
including career grouping expertise relevant to current post (see below)
Temporary Provisional Assistant Economist
(51 week contract)
former DCA Span 5 / Central recruitment
OR
Departmental recruitment / 2:1 Economics
OR
MSc Economics (if 1st degree 2:2, or other subject) / N/A / N/A / 50 hours a year: identify and fill gaps in the GES core of economics / Not specified by GES
Assistant Economist
Faststreamer / Economics Fast Stream / 2:1 Economics
OR
MSc Economics (if 1st degree 2:2, or other subject) / N/A / N/A / 50 hours a year: identify and fill gaps in the GES core of economics / Fast Stream Development
Economic Adviser
Former DCA Spans 8 or 9 / Central recruitment
OR
Departmental recruitment / 2:1 Economics
OR
MSc Economics (if 1st degree 2:2, or other subject) / Substantial proven competence in applied economics as a professional economist / People Management
Financial Management
Project & Programme Management
Analysis & Use of Evidence / 50 hours a year: identify and fill gaps in the GES core ofeconomics plus acquire or maintain the equivalent of a post-graduate level of competence in an economic specialism determined by the relevant government department / Awareness of the Professional Expertise for Operational Delivery Staff at G7
OR
theProfessional Expertise for Policy Delivery Staff at G7
OR
the relevant Corporate Services framework
SCS Economist / Departmental recruitment / 2:1 Economics
OR
MSc Economics (if 1st degree 2:2, or other subject) / Very substantial proven competence in applied economics as a professional economist / People Management
Financial Management
Project & Programme Management
Analysis & Use of Evidence
Strategic Thinking
Communications & Marketing / 50 hours a year: identify and fill gaps in the GES core ofeconomics plus maintain the equivalent of a post-graduate level of competence in an economic specialism determined by the relevant government department / Professional Expertise for Operational Delivery Staff at SCS PB1
OR
Professional Expertise for Policy Delivery Staff at SCS PB1
OR
the relevant Corporate Services framework

Page 1 of 21

Summary of GES Recruitment and CPD standards

Recruitment standards

All members,for entry, must have a 2.1 honours bachelors degree (or international equivalent) with at least 50 per cent of economics in the two final years (or equivalent); or a Post Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) or a Masters degree in economics, including a substantial amount of taught macro and microeconomics.

Temporary Assistant Economic Assistant candidates recruited by the central GES team will have had achieved a just failed on the GES Economic Assessment Centre, and so will not have been allowed to progress to the Faststream Assessment Centre. There is no central GES guidance for departmental recruiting of Temporary Provisional Assistant Economists. The Economics and Statistics Division, when recruiting directly for Temporary Assistant Economic Assistants has required successful candidates to meet former DCA Competencies 1 through 5 at Level One (which appear to be at a lower level than the equivalent Faststream Competences), and Specialist Skills (former DCA Competence 7) at the same level as the GES Assistant Economist Recruitment Standards for Economics. These posts are considered developmental, and are only offered for 51 weeks. For a permanent post as an Economic Assistant, Temporary Provisional Assistant Economists must successfully meet the same competencies as Economic Assistants. Note: The GES recruitment standards in Economics for Temporary Provisional Assistant Economists are lower than the standards that have been applied by the Economics and Statistics Division at the former DCA. However, all Temporary Provisional Assistant Economists that have been recruited directly by the former DCA have gone on to successfully sit the Economics Faststream, whereas this has not been the case for Temporary Provisional Assistant Economists at the former DCA who have come to us via central GES recruitment.

Economic Assistant candidates must meet the competences set out for the GES Economic Assessment Centre and the Fast Stream Assessment Centre.

Economic Adviser candidates must demonstrate substantial proven competence in applied economics as a professional economist. They must show that they have engaged in effective CPD to maintain their competence in the GES Core Economics Knowledge, that they have the GES Core Economics Skills, and that they are capable of a post- graduate level of competence in applied economics. They must also demonstrate that they are capable of meeting the PSG Grade 7 core skills requirements.

SCS economist candidates must demonstrate very substantial proven competence in applied economics as a professional economist. They must show that: they have engaged in effective CPD to maintain their competence in the GES Core Economics Knowledge; they can demonstrate the equivalent of a post-graduate level of competence[1] in applied economics; they have the GES Core Economics Skills; they meet the GES SCS economics competences. They must also meet the PSG SCS core skills requirements, and provide evidence of experience in more than one of the three areas of government activity (corporate services delivery, operational delivery and policy delivery).

CPD standards

Every member of the GES is expected to maintain the GES Economics Core Knowledge and Skills. At any point in time, everyone will have gaps in their knowledge and so this core is used to guide continuous professional development. To maintain these competences the GES guideline for CPD is 100 hours overall with at least 50 hours on economics.

Economic Advisers and above are also expected to gain or maintain the equivalent of a post-graduate level of competence in an economics specialism determined by the relevant government department(s). It is goodpractice for departments topublishand maintain an appropriate syllabus. Advisors will be expected to continue to develop thePSG core skills (G7), addressing any development needs, and to develop an awareness of the professional framework relating to the area of government activity where their post is located. The Professional Expertise for Policy Delivery Staff G7 framework and the Professional Expertise for Operational Delivery Staff G7 framework can be found further below. The skills highlighted by shading are of particular importance. If the post is in Corporate Services delivery, the adviser should refer to the relevant professional framework.

SCS economistsare expected to maintain 50 hours economics CPD a year, and to continue to develop thePSG SCS core skills. They are also expected to acquire all the skills in the professional framework relevant to the area of government activity where their post is located. The Professional Expertise for Policy Delivery Staff SCS framework and the Professional Expertise for Operational Delivery Staff SCS framework can be found on pages 11 and 13 respectively. If the post is in Corporate Services delivery, the adviser should refer to the relevant professional framework. Due to GES requirements, some SCS economists may take longer than their policy colleagues to acquire the full set of skills.

The GES Economics Core

This core was developed from the QAA Subject Benchmarks for Economics to form the GES threshold of competence in economics[2].

Core Economics: Knowledge

This is listed in, and maintained by, the GES Core Economics ‘Update and Refresher’ syllabuses (H-Level): (accessible only by GES members)

There are five core areas: Macroeconomics

Microeconomics

EU and International Economics

Econometrics and Data

Effective Communication for Economists

Core Economics: Skills

GES members need to demonstrate that they:

  • keep abreast of developments in economic theory & practice and can briefly describe different methodological approaches
  • identify opportunities for economic analysis to make a contribution to policy development and appraisal
  • can select and apply appropriate economic concepts, use model-based argument and other standard techniques to address issues and problems.
  • apply economics to offer workable solutions, taking into account opportunity cost and impact assessment; incentives; the specific context of policy advice, diversity and distributional implications.
  • assess the reliability and relevance of evidence and give objective evidence-based advice
  • are able to synthesise technical papers
  • communicate complex technical ideas and arguments in ways which non-economists can readily understand

Guidelines on using Government Economic Service Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Summary Records

The GES recommended guidelines relating to the use of GES CPD records are:

For GES Trawl posts, a GES member’s signed GES CPD Summary Record should be included as part of the documentation to be submitted. From June 2007 this will be for the past two years, as is usual for signed performance appraisals (except of course where less than this time has been served in the GES).

GES CPD Summary Records are to be used as qualitative information only; more hours of CPD does not mean more CPD. The relevant criterion is the ability to show that one has learnt from CPD. The CPD Summary Record is ‘merely’ to inform the interview process and to assist the panel in reaching a judgment on a candidate’s potential for the post in terms of knowledge and application of economics.

Where GES economists are competing with non-GES members for posts the latter should not be disadvantaged by not having submitted a GES CPD Summary. But, where CPD is to be weighed by a panel in reaching its judgment, the GES Summary Record may be used as evidence (according to the criterion above of being able to show learning), as might other forms of evidence for all candidates.

Assistant Economist Recruitment Standards

Economics

The three criteria used for the GES Economic Assessment Centre (EAC) Fast Stream recruitment are ‘Knowledge, Application and Communication’ of economics.

Knowledge is broadly what a UK honours graduate majoring in economics should know[3]. All candidates should have access to the GES core syllabuses and can expect questions from any part of these syllabuses.

Application is the identification of the relevant economics and its effective use in elucidating real world issues and evaluating the policy options.

Communication requires good use of English and is particularly focused on the candidate’s potential for explaining economic outcomes to non-economists.

For a complete specification of the EAC recruitment criteria see the EAC Handbook.

Non-Economic Skills

The Cabinet Office Fast Stream Assessment Team sets the non-economic competences that are required by all fast stream recruits. These are:

Drive for results

How you plan and prioritise, your ability to solve problems and how you deal with setbacks

Learning and improving

How you learn from your experiences, your adaptability, and how you seek to improve your performance

Decision-making

Your ability to analyse, to think critically, to take decisions and give advice

Constructive thinking

Your ability to think creatively and to develop innovative solutions

Building productive relationships

Your ability to build productive relationships and achieve goals through these relationships

Communicating with impact

Your ability as a communicator, to influence and negotiate

Economic Adviser (Grade 7 or 6) Recruitment Standards

Economics

GES Economics Core Knowledge:

  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • EU and International Economics
  • Econometrics and Data
  • Effective Communication for Economists

GES Economics Core Skills:

You will need to demonstrate that you:

  • keep abreast of developments in economic theory & practice and can briefly describe different methodological approaches
  • identify opportunities for economic analysis to make a contribution to policy development and appraisal
  • can select and apply appropriate economic concepts, use model-based argument and other standard techniques to address issues and problems
  • apply economics to offer workable solutions, taking into account opportunity cost and impact assessment; incentives; the specific context of policy advice, diversity and distributional implications
  • assess the reliability and relevance of evidence and give objective evidence-based advice
  • are able to synthesise technical papers
  • communicate complex technical ideas and arguments in ways which non-economists can readily understand

Post-graduate capability

Candidates must demonstrate that they are capable of a post- graduate level of competence in any area of applied economics.

PSG Core Skills

Candidates must demonstrate that they are capable of meeting the PSG core skills:
Analysis & use of evidence

Financial management

People management

Programme & project management

SCS Economist Recruitment Standards

Economics

GES Economics Core Knowledge and Skills

A post-graduate level of competence in applied economics (if a department wishes to specify certain areas of economics for a particular post this must be made clear to candidates from the outset)

plus

Management of professional economists:

  • sets direction for economists in team
  • supports economists’ Continuous Professional Development, and leads by example

Management of economics work

  • sets direction for economics work programmes
  • provides quality control and constructive feedback
  • provides technical input as required

Strategic use of economics

  • applies knowledge of economics to influence the strategy of the department
  • links output of research programmes to policy outcomes
  • uses economics to challenge constructively

Communication of economics

  • is able to synthesise and present technical arguments from a range of sources both verbally and in succinct prose

PSG SCS Core Skills

Analysis & use of evidence

Financial management

People management

Programme & project management

Communication & Marketing

Strategic thinking

PSG Wider Experience

experience in more than one of the three areas of government activity:

  • corporate services delivery
  • operational delivery
  • policy delivery

SCS Leadership Qualities

  • Capability
  • Direction
  • Integrity
  • Results

PSG Core Skills For All Staff at Grade 7

People Management / Financial Management / Project and Programme Management / Analysis and Use of Evidence
Understands and communicates the organisation’s priorities, and ensures people’s objectives are aligned with them / Can describe the organisation’s business model and identify own contribution to its financial objectives / Understands and uses PPM techniques, including risk management, / Identifies and uses various sources of evidence [and feedback] to support outputs
Coaches & develops individuals, & manages own development / Ensures personal delivery against plan, and forecasts accurately. Sets and influences stretching targets for improving the value achieved from resource inputs (people, budget and assets). / Understands and contributes to definition and delivery of programme benefits and business case development / Understands the validity, relevance and limitations of different sources of evidence
Employs a range of appropriate techniques to promote equality of opportunity and diversity / Works confidently with financial data when making decisions: interpret trends, issues and risks in routine and, where appropriate, investment appraisals. / Plans and delivers strong relationships with stakeholders ensuring that the organization is a respected customer and provider / Uses evidence to evaluate policies, projects & programmes
Recognises and rewards good performance, & tackles poor performance / Leads by example when incurring expenditure and managing business relationships and risks. Promotes and enforces appropriate business rules. / Understands the purpose and use of Peer and OGC Gateway Reviews™ / Understands and can interpret the most commonly used methods for summarising data
Knows how and when to engage with HR experts in tackling people issues / Engages with finance experts, and knows when to provide them with routine or exceptional information / Engages with PPM experts, and, in acquisition projects, procurement / commercial experts / Engages with relevant experts to gather and evaluate evidence

PSGCore Skills For All Staff At SCS PB1

People Management / Financial Management / Project and Programme
Management / Analysis and Use of Evidence / Strategic Thinking / Comms & Marketing
Develops team capability in line with business plan and organisational vision / Influences the organisation’s business model and is adept at communicating it to internal and external audiences. / Takes responsibility for definition & successful delivery of programme benefits through cost effective measurement processes. Can oversee development & delivery of a viable business case. / Predicts and secures appropriate evidence as a basis for decisions, including testing for deliverability and preparing for evaluation / Understands can explain Ministry’s strategy and priorities. / Uses communications and marketing to put the citizen at the heart of policy development and operations.
Coaches & develops individuals and teams for high performance / Plans, agrees & monitors the delivery of stretching targets. Identifies & implements innovative ways to improve efficiency & effectiveness in the use of resource & assets. / Anticipates, manages and monitors programme / project risks, including by using market knowledge and networks / Links evidence with specific outputs to challenge decision- making, and identifies ways to improve its quality & use / Understands govt. priorities, wider policy environment & institutional constraints. Translates overall strategic direction of Dept & Govt as a whole into effective delivery of own work area / Understands and uses cross departmental customer segmentation, identifies consumer/citizen needs and understands the range of communication channels
Champions equality & diversity, & promotes best practice / Interprets a wide range of financial information (including corporate financial reports) to make management decisions. Competent when approving investment appraisals. / Ensures effective communications with stakeholders / Champions use of a variety of tools in collecting and analysing evidence, balancing needs and concerns of users and suppliers / Identifies, understands and takes account of key strategic drivers affecting the delivery system, including the potential impact of ICT / Aligns policy and delivery with clear communications objectives and measurement criteria
Manages change effectively identifying resistance, building engagement & involvement, & rewarding innovation. / Provides assurance to the Board on the achievement of the highest standards of internal controls & public sector governance. / Ensures OGC Gateway™ reviews are commissioned and contributed / Ensures deployment of evidence is consistent with wider government requirements / Understands and deploys a range of strategic analysis tools / Understands the wider ministerial and communications agenda across the Ministry and Government
Works in partnership with HR experts to achieve organisation’s goals / Works in partnership with finance experts to achieve organisation’s goals / Works in partnership with PPM experts to achieve organisation’s goals / Works in partnership with a wide range of analytical experts to achieve organisation’s goals / Works in partnership with internal and external strategy experts to achieve organisation’s goals / Works in partnership with communications and marketing
experts to achieve organisation’s goals

Professional Expertise for Policy Delivery Staff at G7