Interim Principal Economist

The purpose of this role is to take a lead in the assessment of the benefits and costs for market reform in the retail household water and wastewater activity. In particular collating and interpreting evidence to support an assessment of the cost and benefits. This will include understanding the sector specific issues that might influence design and success as well as lessons from other sectors.

It also requires the identification and understanding of possible models to implement market reform in the sector and analysis of the relative merits and implications of each model.

The successful applicant will need to challenge the existing evidence base and liaise with a range of stakeholders who may have very differing views on the merits and drawbacks of market reform.

The applicant will need to ensure that all analysis and assessment of the case for change is closely linked to the available evidence and is sufficiently robust to support future government decisions on the case for change. They will need to play a leading role in developing a sound analytical framework against which to assess the case for change and be able to challenge and influence the development of cost benefit analysis and in quality assurance.

Key outputs to be delivered are draft and final findings including the supporting analysis of the cost and benefits of reform.

Key responsibilities within the project

• The role will particularly provide support to the retail review workstream within Water 2020 programme, and support development of the findings publications to ultimately presented to UK government. • The successful applicant will need to develop, in conjunction with colleagues the Assessment of costs and benefits for market reform. • The successful applicant will need to undertake research and gather evidence to understand the key issues for analysis and deliver robust analysis to support our decisions.

Additional information: For further information, please contact: procurement@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk