Data Analyst
Job summary
GO-Science
The Government Office for Science works at the heart of Government, ensuring policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking. It’s an exciting time to join the organisation; we have outstanding and high-profile positions providing you an opportunity to inform and influence policy-making and the systems for use of science and engineering across government. If you are highly motivated and looking for your next career challenge we want to hear from you.
Our mission is:
Science advice mechanisms that are efficient, effective, speak truth to power and are embedded irreversibly in Government systems.
Visible impact through both pro-active and demand-led science advice that is relevant, excellent, and delivered fit for purpose.
Our values are:
Collaboration – We draw on the experience, skills and knowledge of individuals and partners to reach goals.
Kindness – We are always inclusive, respectful, and compassionate. We look out for one another on work related and non-work-related matters where appropriate.
Openness – We are curious and always openminded to new ideas, ways of working and points of view, irrelevant of how unconventional they might seem or who suggests them.
Integrity – We commit to upholding the civil service value of integrity by remaining moral, honest, and transparent. We always strive to do the right thing.
Further information can be found here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-office-for-science
We strongly believe diversity of experience, thought, perspectives, skills, and background makes us a more innovative, welcoming Department, thus making better decisions and better delivering our objectives. We are actively seeking applications from every part of the community and particularly welcome applications from candidates of any age, background, disability, or from an ethnic minority background and any other protected characteristics. This will help us move to a workforce that reflects the people we serve to deliver better policies.
We are a friendly, inclusive team and emphasise personal development. We will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided adjustments to participate in the job application and interview process. We support your wellbeing by putting flexible working at the heart of our offer.; if successful, you will be able to discuss working arrangements with your new manager.
We maintain an internal surge capability of staff who may be called at short notice to support an activation of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Training and support will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to develop crisis management skills.
Job description
This role is based in the Technology Science Insights team in GOS. Outputs from the team support decision making at the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Office for Science and Technology Strategy (OSTS) and other departments across government.
Based in a multi-disciplinary team of analysts, digital roles, and policy leads, you will use data and analysis to help government identify technology-related threats and opportunities. This includes contributing analysis to reports, leading on development of metrics and helping us access and manage our data.
You will be in a great position to observe and influence how policy is developed at the centre, with direct exposure to the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and senior officials in Cabinet Office/Treasury.
You will have the opportunity to develop your analytical and digital skills working across boundaries to support horizon scanning and long-term economic, national security and social policy making.
Person specification
Working closely with a lead economist, you will be responsible for:
Contributing robust analysis of technologies to GOS Rapid Technology Assessments – deep dives into technologies of interest which are shared with senior Gov officials. This would include obtaining, synthesising and cleaning data, conducting the analysis, considering the economic perspective and setting the insight out clearly using data visualisation.
Collaborating with analysts across the team, supporting one another to quality assure and develop our approaches as new methods and data sources are brought online.
Communicating your findings to team members clearly so that policy leads can understand and use it within our products.
Managing our relationships with data suppliers and appraising new sources. We currently work with patent, research, investment and social news data.
Supporting work to automate the analytical process and provide additional time for in-depth interpretation.
Developing methodologies to understand the opportunities and risks of technology on society, the economy and national security and their rate of emergence.
Supporting development of our cross –government tech analytics platform, developing the content, supporting colleagues to use it and getting feedback. This could include the opportunity for training from our in-house data scientists.
SC clearance is required for this role.
Skills and experience
Essential criteria
The following technical skills relevant to a Data Analyst in the DDAT framework:
• Analysis and synthesis.
• Data quality assurance, validation and linkage.
• Data visualisation.
• Statistical methods and data analysis.
• Desire to work in a multidisciplinary team working to support government make better decisions about science and technology.
Desirable criteria
• Undergraduate degree or qualification of an equivalent level in a quantitative/analytical science, engineering, technology, mathematical, finance or economics subject.
• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of appraisal methodologies (e.g. Green Book) and an ability to apply them to new contexts.
• An ability to apply microeconomic theory to understand market dynamics and monitor market failure and the case for intervention.
Technical skills
• Analysis and synthesis (data analyst) – You can apply analytical techniques to present a solution.
• Data quality assurance, validation and linkage – You can conduct data quality assurance, validation and linkage.
• Data visualisation – You can interpret requirements and present data in a clear and compelling way, using graphical representations and data visualisations.
• Statistical methods and data analysis – You can demonstrate knowledge of statistical methodologies and data analysis techniques.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-analyst
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Analysis and synthesis (data analyst).
Data quality assurance, validation and linkage.
Data visualisation
Statistical methods and data analysis
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
Analysis and synthesis (data analyst).
Benefits
BEIS offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%.
A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need (from September 2021, depending on how the public health guidance evolves).
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please align your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to ‘How you meet the essential and any of the desirable criteria, your analytical experience and capability, and why you want the role.’
Applications will be sifted on personal statement, CV and any technical skills required.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour and technical questions.
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 7th November 2022
Interview dates: w/c 21st November 2022
Interview Location: MS Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via beisrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
BEIS does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
Please note that BEIS does not hold a licence to sponsor visa applications.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service / Disclosure Scotland. on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
BEIS wants to be accessible for all, and this includes offering assistance to attend interviews. The offer is targeted toward those from a lower socio-economic background, or who struggle to cover the cost of attending an interview. Please see the attached guidance document at the bottom of this Civil Service Jobs advert. Embedded in the document on page 5, are 2 documents that must be completed and returned to the email addresses listed on the forms to claim an expenses payment. If you have any issues accessing these documents please contact us at beisrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
UK nationals
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name :Emily Connolly
Email :emily.connolly@go-science.gov.uk
Recruitment team :
Email :recruitmentsupport@beis.gov.uk