Data Analytics Economist 2021

Overview

Communications play a crucial role in everyone's lives. As the regulator in this sector, Ofcom wants to make these markets work for everyone, and economics and data are central to this.

As an evidenced-based regulator, our work relies heavily on the analysis of data. To support this work, we are looking for candidates who would enjoy working in a dynamic sector applying data analytic tools to help make communications work for people across the UK.

As a graduate data-analytics economist you will be involved in the issues straight away, helping formulate policy options and reach robust decisions. You will start a rewarding career in a vital and dynamic sector and have opportunities to learn in a supportive environment.

The Role

Ofcom has one of the largest competition and regulatory economics teams in the UK, with more than 60 economists working on issues related to the BBC, TV, radio and video-on-demand sectors, broadband, landlines, mobiles, online and postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.

As a graduate data-analytics economist you will get involved in a wide range of projects which require analysing data using tools such as econometrics and machine learning. For example, you might be working in teams that:

• Look at consumers’ experience online, to assess the existence, prevalence and potential consequences of harmful content online using econometrics and machine learning techniques
• Investigate prospective competitive conditions in broadband markets by analysing the drivers of cost of building fibre networks by analysing operator- and household-level data
• Analyse the extent to which prices of comparable broadband services vary depending on whether a customer is new to the provider, re-contracted or out of contract, by analysing individual customer price data
• Examine the cost of capital for communications providers by using econometric tools to assess the investment risk faced by these providers
• Assess how the airwaves – over which wireless devices operate – are used around the UK to inform future policy
• Conduct ex-post evaluations of the impact of previous Ofcom interventions by using advanced econometric techniques;
• Assess competition in the supply of high-speed connections for large businesses by analysing the proximity of alternative fibre networks to business customer sites

As a graduate data-analytics economist, you will be working collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams from day one to help ensure our policies are supported by evidence and deliver a real, long-term benefit to consumers. Your personal development is also important to us. You will benefit from a range of training opportunities that will help you build and further your data-analytics skills, including internal or external courses, seminars and on-the-job learning.

During your two years on the programme, there will be four six-month placements moving between projects, industry sectors, exposing you to a broad range of competition, consumer and regulatory issues. There will also be an opportunity to spend one placement outside the Economics Group, for example, working in our Data Innovation Hub (using artificial intelligence techniques to look for patterns in broadcast content) or as part of our market research team (performing statistical analysis on Ofcom consumer research).

Candidate Profile

At Ofcom, we're looking for:

• An undergraduate degree in economics or a mixed degree that includes economics (at least 50%), or post-graduate qualification.
• A basic understanding of, or familiarity with quantitative tools in the fields of econometrics, artificial intelligence or machine learning; and relevant analytical software (for example, Stata, Python or R).
• Enthusiasm about economic thinking and its empirical application to the real world
• Strong communication skills
• Team-players

Benefits

• Flexible benefits allowance
• Pension allowance
• 25 days’ holiday
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Annual health check
• Income protection insurance

Application 

The application process consists of four stages:

• Initial application
• Online testing
• Video interview
• Assessment Centre

For this role, you can be based in either the London, Cardiff or Edinburgh offices.

As a Disability Confident employer, applicants who self-identify as disabled or with a long-term condition and who meet the minimum criteria for the role will be invited for an interview.

Please email us here if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you in your application or with any part of the recruitment process. These may include online tests, video interviews, short phone calls and an assessment centre.

For more information and guidance please visit: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/ask-for-adjustments-at-interview