AMS PSR

On behalf of the Valuation Office Agency, we are currently creating a pipeline for an upcoming opportunity for a Economist (Inside IR35) for a 6 month hybrid contract based out of Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Sheffield or London.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers. We are one of the largest employers of surveyors in the country offering access to a whole host of learning and development opportunities to support your career development.

We’re looking for talented people who are eager to contribute to vital public services and assist us to deliver taxation and benefits support to the government and local authorities. Your skills and experience will enable us to provide an efficient, effective service right at the heart of the public interest.

At the heart of the agency, we are committed to providing our people with a work environment which is accommodating and accessible to all and which values diversity and inclusion in everything we do. We encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work by providing a culture that values different perspectives to help tackle complex problems, promote innovation and deliver stronger decision making in a safe and supportive environment. We therefore welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to join our organisation and enable us to be representative of the communities we serve.

As a Economist, your main responsibilities will be:

• Assess the economic landscape for properties valued under the Fair and Maintainable Trade (FMT) methodology within the business rates system.
• Analyse large, complex datasets to inform valuation assumptions and rateable values.
• Review and interpret cost data, market trends and sector performance, with a focus on pubs and hotels.
• Work closely with VOA valuers and engage with external stakeholders to support robust valuations.
• Monitor economic conditions and assess their impact on current and future business rates.
• Provide economic insight across the pub sector, balancing commercial and government perspectives.
• Produce clear analysis and present findings to Senior stakeholders to support decision‑making.

Essential:

• Proven experience working as an Economist, with strong analytical capability.
• Experience applying HM Treasury Green Book principles and wider government economic frameworks.
• Strong data‑driven economic analysis skills, including interpreting complex datasets.
• Demonstrable experience within the business rates sector
• Confident presenting economic insight to senior, complex and challenging stakeholders.
• Ability to translate technical economic analysis into clear, actionable recommendations

Desirable:

• Degree in economics

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, VOA guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

The Valuation Office Agency guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".