AMS PSR

On behalf of The Ministry of Justice, we are looking for an Economist (Inside IR35) for a 8 months contract based REMOTELY

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) priorities include improving public safety and reducing reoffending by reforming prisons, probation and youth justice, and building a justice system which makes access to justice swifter and more certain for all citizens whatever their background. Project professionals in the MoJ help to improve the government’s ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public.

As an Economist, your main responsibilities will be:

• Draft a clear Economic Case for the OBC, including CSFs, longlist/shortlist, NPV tables, Optimism Bias rationale, sensitivity results, and a well‑evidenced recommendation.
• Develop, evidence, and assess options against CSFs with transparent assumptions, data sources, cost/benefit/risk profiles, and justified shortlisting.
• Quantify economic costs in real terms, apply GDP deflators, exclude VAT, discount future values, and calculate NPVs for all options.
• Monetise benefits where possible, document non‑monetised impacts, rank options by NPV, and apply Optimism Bias consistently across the model.
• Conduct and present sensitivity/scenario analysis, draft the Value for Money narrative, and recommend the Preferred Way Forward.
• Produce appraisal deliverables (economic model, assumptions log, benefits register/logic map, AQA evidence) and support governance and keyholder readiness through reviews and feedback responses.

Essential:

• Skilled in developing detailed economic models, including multi‑option appraisals, NPV calculations, discounting, and benefit monetisation.
• Strong expertise in HM Treasury Green Book guidance, Five Case Model Economic Cases, and appropriate application of Optimism Bias.
• Proficient in scenario and sensitivity analysis, clearly presenting impacts on results, preferred options, and VfM conclusions.
• Experienced in options development, shortlist/longlist creation, VfM assessment, and transparent justification of the Preferred Way Forward.
• Effective at communicating complex analysis to senior stakeholders, drafting clear economic case narratives, and documenting assumptions, risks, and limitations.
• Capable of knowledge transfer through upskilling teams, sharing modelling best practice, and ensuring smooth project handover.

Desirable:

• Ability to produce a clear, evidence‑based OBC Economic Case with justified options, NPV analysis, OB rationale, and sensitivity testing.
• Experience building robust economic models, including real‑terms costing, discounting, benefit monetisation, and scenario analysis.
• Experience delivering appraisal artefacts and supporting governance/keyholder reviews with high‑quality documentation.

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, MOJ 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 Ministry of Justice 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".