Environmental Economist

Cefas is developing and expanding its socio-economic capability.  This post holder will contribute environmental economics research to a comprehensive portfolio of UK and international programmes. For example, conducting, and providing advice on, economic and statistical analyses on study design for survey-based methods to value coastal and marine ecosystem services and related econometric analyses, as well as on natural capital accounting; collect and model quantitative socio-economic data, sometimes coupled with marine biophysical data, ensuring high data quality and recording standards; support and/or facilitate workshops (including for capacity building) and interviews in the UK and overseas; communicate your work in writing through reports and peer-reviewed papers in high impact factor journals, and provide  presentations at relevant conferences and/or workshops.

The core team of Cefas’ economists undertake interdisciplinary research and provide advice, largely in support of Defra’s coastal and marine environment policies and natural capital assessment, but also participate in national (UK) and internationally funded research projects, collaborating with academia (especially with the University of East Anglia (UEA) and The Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE)), and other research institutes. Their research focuses on the valuation, accounting and management of coastal and marine natural capital and ecosystem services in UK and abroad, especially UK’s Commonwealth Countries and Overseas Territories.

Cefas is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us a stronger organisation, better at gathering evidence which supports the development of policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the development of research to improve valuation and accounting of coastal and marine ecosystem services and natural capital.
• Contributing to the development and application of econometric tools in an interdisciplinary setting, working with Cefas’ natural and social scientists, including econometric experimental design studies (e.g., stated and revealed preference techniques).
• Communicating research in writing (e.g., publications in high-quality scientific journals) and verbally (e.g., presentations, policy briefings).
• Supporting others in writing research proposals for future grant applications within Cefas and with broader national and international consortia, including academia.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

• Proven understanding of statistical and econometrics theory and application.
• Good understanding of environmental and/or ecological economics.
• Good understanding of economic theory (applied to environmental economics) and the data challenges associated with its analysis in an interdisciplinary setting (e.g., within biological and ecological systems).
• Being flexible, able to adapt to various activities and commitments at the same time, with the ability to work as part of a team, but also unsupervised to organise own work to meet deadlines.
• Good communication skills verbally and written.
• Previous experience leading to publications (reports and or peer-reviewed papers).
• Academic qualification required for this Cefas Pay Band 5 post is a degree (or currently undertaking) in environmental economics or related fields of work (e.g., statistics, ecological economics). However, relevant work experience at that level will be considered.
  

BENEFITS

• Generous Annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
• Access to learning and development tailored to your role
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme. Very favourable package, contributions are more than matched by employer – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
• Staff Recognition vouchers
• In-year recognition scheme (monetary amounts up to max £2000 possible)

For full details and to applications here.

Closing date for applications is 23:55 28 November 2022