Economist

Ready to apply your economic expertise to some of Scotland’s most important policy challenges?

As an Economist you will apply economic principles to policy and operational questions. Alongside partners including other analysts and policy colleagues you will play a key role in ensuring evidence underpins policy development and delivery across government. You will take responsibility for wider analytical projects, identifying the right economic concepts and the right level of economic analysis each time. You will clearly communicate technical economic concepts, ideas and analysis to a broad audience, being well-attuned to needs and decision-making context.

There are several positions and roles across the areas of the Scottish Government.

Responsibilities

• Manage economic analysis in a specific policy area, taking responsibility for key aspects of the Team’s overall programme of economic analysis.
• Support the team leader in the design and delivery of the programme of economic analysis.
• Build relationships with policy and operational colleagues, working closely with them to help influence and shape policy and delivery.
• Undertake economic analysis using economic modelling, data analysis and literature reviews.
• Communicate analysis clearly through written briefings, presentations as well as drafting advice to Ministers.
• Manage specific contracts and line manage an assistant economist, as required.

Qualifications

Membership of the professional UK wide Government Economic Service.

Role Criteria/Success Profiles

Technical
Government Economic Service Technical Framework to Level 2 Practitioner (SEO)
equivalent).

Experience

• Experience of working with other analytical professions to develop a shared
  evidence base to inform and influence policy.
• Experience as a professional economist using a broad range of economic concepts
  and analytical techniques, gathering, analysing and presenting economic data.

Behaviours

• Changing and Improving – (Level 3)
• Communicating and Influencing – (Level 3)
• Developing Self and Others – (Level 3)
• Seeing the Bigger Picture – (Level 3)

How to Apply

Apply online, providing a CV (No more than 2 pages) and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview, presentation and written task.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Assessments are scheduled for Mid-Late November 2026 however this may be subject to change.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

Working Pattern/Location

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

You will be based in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

This post is open to Internal Scottish Government candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.

Please apply by 23:59 - 01/11/26