BoE - Lead Data Analyst in Current Economic Conditions Division

Lead Data Analyst in Current Economic Conditions Division Monetary Analysis (MA) provides the core analytic support that underpins the setting of Bank Rate each month by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to meet its inflation target. Department Overview Current Economic Conditions Division (CECD) provides the MPC with assessments of the current state of UK economic activity and inflation, the near-term outlook, and the uncertainties around this view. This is typically some of the most central information in the monetary policy debate. We do this by analysing a wide array of official data, surveys and other information. We maintain and develop state-of-the-art econometric models to produce short-term forecasts and interpret current economic developments. And we draw these materials together to form an overall picture and highlight important developments for UK monetary policy. In response to both new challenges and new opportunities for our data analysis, we are looking to enhance our data capability and analytical infrastructure along several dimensions, with this Lead Data Analyst role sitting at the heart of that. We are a division of around 25 people with a range of backgrounds and experiences. Job description We are recruiting a Lead Data Analyst to join the Division at an exciting juncture, as we gear up to enhance our analytical infrastructure. The successful applicant would be part of a newly formed function in the division, and therefore play a pivotal role in helping to set the blueprint for the work. The exact nature of this role can be tailored to the interests of the successful candidate. Although three broad areas in which we would expect to make progress are: 1) opening up new avenues for analysis using modern methods, for example improving our micro-data manipulation capabilities, or applying machine-learning methods to forecasting and other problems; 2) increasing the impact and reach of our analysis, for example by developing new data visualisations, dashboards, etc; and 3) helping to make our analytical and modelling processes more efficient and robust through greater use of automation, more sophisticated coding, etc. As a Lead Data Analyst in CECD, you will be at the centre of scoping out the exciting possibilities and setting out a strategy for this new function, in collaboration with our group of Senior Economists and Leadership Team. In your day-to-day you will be expected to take the lead on development work and deliver on a range of outputs, working with colleagues from across the Division, but potentially also beyond, for example with experienced Data Scientists sitting in the Bank’s Advanced Analytics Directorate. You do not need prior knowledge of economics. We think you can learn what you need to help guide and maximise the impact of your work in the role, provided you have a good quantitative background. In case of interest, this role will also provide plenty of opportunity to develop deeper economic expertise, for example by getting involved in more specialist analytical or model development projects, in close collaboration with our experienced teams of Economists and Researchers. Monetary Analysis is fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive working environment. These roles can be done as part of a job share and/or with flexible working. Role Requirements If you believe you have the skills to help us make progress in some or all of the three key areas listed above, whatever your background, we welcome your application; please do not be put off from applying if you do not strictly meet all the criteria in the below. As a general guide though, we would expect the successful applicant to have: Essential Requirements a postgraduate qualification in a quantitative subject, for example data science, other STEM degrees or economics/finance, or an equivalent level of work experience. delivered projects or work that rely on coding in popular modern languages such as R or Python. ability to produce high-quality analysis to tight deadlines. Excellent time management and organisational skills. Desirable Requirements a few years of relevant work experience undertaking analysis of large or complex data sets/databases. excellent data manipulation and ‘dataviz’ skills, as well as knowledge of modern data science methods such as machine learning. flexibility to deploy these skills in a potentially less familiar context, and the imagination to help us find innovative use cases. interest in learning about the UK economy and helping the Division provide high quality analysis to the Monetary Policy Committee. Core Values Integrity is one of the Seven Principles of Public Life. Our personal interests should never influence our decisions at work. We must be free of any suggestion of inappropriate influence. Selflessness, objectivity and impartiality are a core part of our Bank values. We strive to be objective in our decision-making and decisive in our actions. We take pride in the quality and the impartiality of our analysis and research. We engage with others professionally and make decisions fairly and on merit, using the best evidence available. We know that our reputation for impartiality and independence is vital to our effectiveness and, if lost, would be hard to recover.