Economist

This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules. We are currently looking for an Economist to join our Innovative Devices within the Health Quality and Access group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a 12 month fixed term contract, internal move, loan or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Innovation and Compliance (I&C) group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which balances innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into four sub-groups: Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Standards and Compliance and Innovative Devices.

The Innovative Devices function works to provide pre-market support and facilitates a smooth passage to market access. This is particularly aimed at innovative products across MedTech, diagnostics and digital, or where there is higher associated risk. The function will ensure that the UK has supply of new and advancing medical devices to include software as a medical device, novel implantables and diagnostics and play a significant role in developing the new Regulatory Framework for Medical Devices, including implementation and operation of specific services.

What’s the role? This role would suit an economist with experience of undertaking impact assessments for statutory instruments and bills, preferably on a health topic; health economics and/or government regulation and policy making.

This role will help the MHRA to pursue our ambitious legislative reform programme, intended to protect UK public health whilst also encouraging innovation in the medicines and devices industries, through assisting policy teams involved in the delivery and consideration of public consultations and the use of secondary legislation.

The post holder may also provide supporting analytical work for the MHRA’s Spending Review bid and our ongoing work on reviewing and updating the MHRA fee structure.

In conducting day to day work, the role needs to apply the Rationale, Objectives, Appraisal, Monitoring, Evaluation and Feedback (ROAMEF) principles in a way that goes beyond merely providing analysis to satisfy external scrutiny, but that actively helps the Agency to make better policy decisions.

Key Responsibilities

•  Lead economic analysis for the MHRA’s decisions on planned legislative changes, through assisting in the design and interpretation of public consultations. 
•  Provide economic analysis and support to colleagues who are designing regulations, preparing Spending Review bids, or examining other policy areas such as fees. 
•  Lead on Impact Assessments, Options Assessments, Post-Implementation Reviews and Regulatory Triage Assessments. 
•  Ensure evidence-based policymaking is embedded throughout the MHRA, including making sure that colleagues are drawing upon the most relevant data and evidence.

Who are we looking for? Our Successful Candidate Will

•  Collaborate with colleagues by showing how their work benefits patients, the public, and stakeholders. 
•  Be able to communicate complex information clearly and sensitively and use persuasion when necessary, including to non-analyst audiences. 
•  Demonstrate self-awareness and encourage ongoing learning and development, promoting economic analysis across the Agency. 
•  Demonstrate competency in delivering analysis at pace, including at short-notice request, drawing on limited or imperfect data where necessary. 
•  Have experience in successfully managing complex economic analysis (mandatory).

Person Specification Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation Behaviour Criteria

•  Working Together - actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives (A,I) 
•  Communicating and Influencing - explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand (A,I) 
•  Delivering at Pace - actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives (A,I) 
•  Changing and Improving - consider the full impact of implementing changes on culture, structure, morale and the impacts on the diverse range of end users, including accessibility needs (A,I)

Experience Criteria

•  Experience of applying economic tools and techniques, and synthesising evidence from a range of sources, as appropriate. (A) 
•  Proven track record of collaborating across organisational boundaries and building effective relationships to enable the delivery of highly impactful analytical projects (A) 
•  It would be desirable to have experience of health economics and/or Government regulation and policy making. (A)

Technical Criteria

•  Minimum of bachelor’s degree in economics or equivalent experience developed through previous roles. A 2:1 undergraduate economics (at least 50% of modules in economics) degree or a 2:2 plus a Masters/PhD in straight economics. (A) 
•  Membership of the Government Economic Service, or be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements. (A)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact    careers@mhra.gov.uk