Economic Analyst

Economic Analyst Fixed term contract up to 12 months

This secondment offers a unique chance to contribute to high-impact nationally significant work at the forefront of data and privacy regulation. As an Economic Analyst at the ICO youll apply your skills to real-world challenge shaping policy evaluating regulatory interventions and exploring the intersection of data protection with innovation competition and economic growth. Youll work in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment gain exposure to cutting-edge topics like AI and biometrics and benefit from structured development within the Government Economic Service. If youre looking to broaden your experience deepen your analytical expertise and make a meaningful contribution to public policy this is an exceptional opportunity.

Full time/Part time.

Salary: 44297 per annum

Location: Flexible hybrid working across the UK

Contracted to our Wilmslow London Edinburgh Cardiff or Belfast office however through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.

Why work for the ICO

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year plus privilege and public holidays.
• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
• Pension
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets retailers gyms restaurants insurance providers and many more.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of ourwebsite.

About us

The ICO is the UKs independent regulator for information rights promoting data privacy for individuals and openness in public bodies. We regulate under a wide range of legislation including responsibilities for data protection and freedom of information.

With economists located across the UK (Belfast Cardiff Edinburgh London Wilmslow) we offer an inclusive environment and provide flexible working conditions and a range of training and development opportunities. This includes:

• a structured economics profession including targeted learning and development opportunities and visibility of career development pathways;
• membership of the Government Economic Service (GES);
• structured pay progression framework that provides tangible rewards for sustained progress and contribution;
• networking opportunities and a mechanism for social learning sharing insight and good practice; and
• opportunities to do work to enhance diversity and inclusion within economics.

The ICOs work is interesting and immensely rewarding it is of national importance and increasingly in the public eye covering areas such as AI online tracking and all the facets of the digital economy. We hold a unique position as a regulator across the whole of the private public and third sectors.

As an employer we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people and we empower you to be curious impactful collaborative and respectful. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling and engaging career able to acquire new skills and enjoy a supportive working environment.

Further details about being an economist at the ICO can be found on our website Economic Analysis ICO.

About the role

Do you want to be part of the team that produces economic analysis and research to support decision making via options appraisal impact assessment ex-post evaluation and other analytics (eg geospatial mapping)

We have an opportunity for an Economic Analyst to join us on secondment. This would be related to understanding measuring and driving regulatory intervention and policy impact including the interaction of data protection with economic growth competition and innovation. The teams work includes:

• supporting policy development by aiding understanding of the impact of our policies programmes and projects using approved models and methods following principles from the Green and Magenta Books aligned with the ICOs impact frameworks;
• supporting the provision of advice to clarify the economic social and public costs benefits and trade-offs of our policy decisions;
• engagingand collaboratingacross the organisation to provide expert guidance research and analysis on economic matters. Examples include scoping the market for biometric technologies or understanding how artificial intelligence could impact the labour market;
• providinglearning resources and training across the organisation to ensure there is awareness and common understanding of appraisal impact assessment evaluation and related areas of economic thinking;
• engaging and developing relevant external stakeholder networks via interaction with UK and international regulatory counterparts and government academia conference attendance etc.

Whether the issue is understanding how we enable businesses in the UK economy the interaction of privacy and competition or the impact of measures to protect childrens privacy online economics is vital to our understanding of data and privacy issues. As an Economic Analyst you will support the ICOs work across the full range of our responsibilities ensuring that our actions are underpinned with high quality economic analysis.

Reporting to a Principal Economist you will provide high quality economic analysis collaborating with other experts in multidisciplinary teams. You will work flexibly across a range of projects identifying the key economic issues analysing data and other evidence to support your arguments and communicating them effectively to a range of audiences.

About you

To succeed in this role you will need experience in economic analysis and be able to demonstrate the application of economics and analysis techniques in a range of circumstances. You will be a problem solver and an effective written and oral communicator able to take responsibility for a range of tasks and managing conflicting demands on your time.

Essential criteria assessed at application stage

• A degree in economics with around 2 years experience in an economic analysis role (or equivalent post graduate academic experience).
• Knowledge of the principles of the HMT Green and Magenta Books (experience of practical application is desirable but not essential).
• Experience in carrying out economic analysis using a range of tools (eg statistical).
• Analyses and synthesises complex information and data drawing on knowledge and applying it to questions of interest for the department while being aware of the limitations/risks of economic analysis and the available data.
• Able to interpret requirements and present data in a clear and compelling way using data visualisations techniques and tools.
• Drafts analysis for different stakeholders and understands the differences in communicating to them. Actively seeks out new insightful and more inclusive ways to present and communicate findings.

Essential criteria assessed at interview stage

• Reviews syntheses and is able to critique and quality assure own analysis and of others to ensure it is of high quality.
• Continually develops and evaluates the quality of analysis to ensure that the department is producing robust economic analysis which can stand up to scrutiny.
• Develops a good understanding of how economic models can inform analysis and of their limitations. This may include advising on appropriate data sources.

• Works effectively in multidisciplinary teams and with others maintaining effective professional working relationships both internally and externally across organisations.
• The ability to deal with a demanding workload which may include conflicting demands on time.
• Develops oneself as a professional economist/analyst by continuing to seek out training teaching and coaching opportunities as well as promoting economics that enables confident delivery.
• Knowledge of the principles of the HMT Green and Magenta Books (experience of practical application is desirable but not essential).
• Drafts and presents analysis for different stakeholders and understands the differences in communicating to them. Actively seeks out new insightful and more inclusive ways to present and communicate findings

Equality diversity and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality diversity and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real are championing this through ourEquality Diversity and Inclusion Boardtogether with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

If you have a disability or impairment and have difficulty using our online application system please email the HR team atwho can arrange for you to submit an application via an alternative method.

To apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter by 23:59 on Wednesday 21st January 2026. Your cover letter should be no more than 1000 words and should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us at.

In the event ofa high volume of applications we may not be able to invite all candidates who meet the minimum criteria to interview. However we encourage you stay in touch and apply for future roles that match your interests.

All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and apply in-line with our guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be interviewed.