Selection process and how to apply
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and we will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. The Behaviours map onto the essential criteria set out above.
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.
To apply you will need to submit the following by the end of Monday 7th September (11:55pm)
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A CV setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements that relate to the essential criteria. The CV should not exceed more than 2 A4 pages.
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A Personal Statement of up to 750 words explaining how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The sift is expected to be complete by Friday 18th September, with interviews between then and the Friday 2nd October. Though these timings may change.
We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the CV only, assessing the experience aspect of the success profiles. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the CV will either progressed to a full sift where the Personal Statement is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.
Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where they will be assessed on the Behaviours and Technical skills. As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
Civil service profession requirements
This vacancy is open to non-civil servants and civil servants alike (including on promotion to Grade 7s). As such you do not need to be a member of the Government Economic Service (GES) to apply for this role. Nevertheless, all candidates must meet the GES requirements.
During the selection process, your technical skills will be assessed against the GES grade requirement. Details can be found in the GES Technical Framework (search for G6 in the document). Assessment will happen at both the sift of your written application and at the interview. Any applicant, civil servant or otherwise, who is not a GES member must demonstrate that they meet the GES requirements as successful appointment will include membership of the GES. This will include an additional technical written test as part of the interview process.
To hold GES membership, you must:
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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.
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Have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics.
For applicants applying after more than a couple of years after university, who are not an existing member of the Government Economic Service 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.
To discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be required for the selection process please use the contact details below.
Please note, following a recent change to the Machinery of Government, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will be renamed to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) as of 20th July 2026. BIST will connect the UKs world-class science and technology base directly to the businesses, places and workers that will drive good growth across the country. Such changes will not affect the selection process for this campaign; however, we wanted to take this opportunity to advise you of the recent changes to our department.
You can find further information here regarding recent governmental changes Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet - GOV.UK.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the Assistance required section on the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
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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.
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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.
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New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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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.
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Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
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Please note the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
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Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
