About the job

Job summary

This vacancy is for candidates wishing to apply under GES/GSR/GORS professions as current members or as applicants that are eligible for membership.  It is also open to applications from current members of the GSS. 

If you are not currently a member of the GSS but meet the entry criteria to join this profession, please apply to vacancy number 331928.

This role will give the successful candidate the opportunity to influence one of the Government’s top priorities – improving the planning system to support more housing, in the right places, to meet local and national needs. Digital planning will enable the planning system to become more efficient and more effective, and also provides us with a unique opportunity to improve the quality and range of planning data available to analyse and inform policy development. We are seeking an enthusiastic analyst to lead the analysis related to digital planning, including supporting policy officials to understand the effectiveness of the reform programme and feeding in early findings to help make the case for further change. In addition, they   will help improve our data and analysis of the wider planning system, filling evidence gaps to offer new insight and open-up new avenues for policy development. A considerable proportion (approximately 50%) of the job will be supporting the department’s strategic agenda on digital planning reform, including leading on the monitoring and evaluation. The Digital Planning Programme is on the Government Major Projects Portfolio and is a high profile, innovative programme that is a priority for senior officials. The role will also involve working closely with a dynamic and welcoming policy team, as well as other analysts, to improve the way planning data is collated and analysed, for example, helping us shape and use the opportunities from the digital planning programme; helping ensure we make effective use of existing data in relation to local and neighbourhood plans; and increasing the use of spatial data. This is an exciting role that is key to ensuring that senior officials and Ministers have the data and analysis they need to understand the impact of digital planning reform, and the operation of the planning system more widely.

Job description

The Team
The Housing and Planning Analysis Division (HPAD) has a clear purpose to provide the very best quality analytical service in support of the department’s objectives on housing and planning. HPAD provides timely monitoring information and advice on the performance of key programmes and policies pro-active analysis, modelling, appraisal and economics advice for policy development and expert market intelligence. The division also produces the flagship English Housing Survey.

The division’s analysts are always in high demand − including from senior officials, Ministers and their special advisers, both here and in other government departments (most notably Number 10, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office). The division has been highly influential in shaping and designing housing and planning policy including vital contributions to the 300,000 homes ambition, national planning reforms, homeownership policies such as Help to Buy, the Social Housing White Paper and key programmes such as the Affordable Housing Programme. 

HPAD is a vibrant, fast-moving and high-profile place to work and is at the heart of delivering core Departmental priorities on housing and planning. We are a friendly, multi-disciplinary division and take the development of our people very seriously, equipping and enabling them to make an impact by ensuring high quality evidence and analysis is at the heart of the policy-making process. HPAD sits in the Department’s Analysis and Data Directorate.

The role sits within the housing Supply and Planning Analysis team (SAPA). The post-holder will report to the Head of Housing Supply and Planning Analysis and work closely with the Digital Planning Head of Policy and Engagement, spending approximately 50% of their time supporting the Digital Planning Programme. 
We particularly welcome candidates from an ethnic minority background and other underrepresented groups to apply, as we work to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities we support through our work.

The Role
The role will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work on one of the highest profile Government priorities, enabling the Government to reduce waste through improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system, and helping it realise its housing ambitions.
 
The post holder will lead analysis to support the monitoring, evaluation and continued funding of the Digital Planning Programme. In addition the post holder will provide analytical support for other areas of planning, in particular those with a focus on improving the collection and analysis of data.
•    Managing a monitoring and evaluation workstream that is working with a supplier to assess how the Digital Planning Programme is meeting objectives. Ensuring alignment with the programme monitoring and evaluation strategy, with consideration of appropriate data collection mechanisms and analytical techniques to track and measure benefits, assessing robustness
•    Analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to test the effectiveness of current digital planning products and services. Working with colleagues in digital roles (for example product managers and user researchers) to use that analysis to inform service and product roadmaps as well as overall programme direction;
•    Undertaking analysis to support business case development to support the continued funding of the Digital Planning Programme, in line with HM Treasury guidance. Presenting analysis in a creative and effective way to influence senior stakeholders, drawing upon the expertise of other analysts on the team as required. Remaining aware of potential limitations in the evidence base and communicating clearly what analysis is possible;  
•    Support work to develop digital planning data standards, drawing in the views of others in Analysis and Data Directorate to help ensure the data standards are set up in a way that enable standardised data to be used effectively to meet the needs of Ministers and policy officials;
•    Bringing in innovative approaches to improve the way data is collected and analysed within specific areas of planning, such as for existing and emerging local plans, neighbourhood plans and local authority capacity and capability;
•    Working with external organisations that collect data on land and planning that is of potential use to the Department, including those that are developing innovative approaches to data collection that make use of spatial data, helping steer the direction of their work so it meets the needs of the Department.

Opportunities
The post presents you with the opportunity to:
•    Work in a multi-disciplinary environment, building the evidence base for policies on planning, and influencing policy direction;
•    Manage a high-profile evaluation contract and lead internal monitoring;
•    Work together with stakeholders across Government to help improve data sources and increase their use;
•    Represent digital planning analysis within the digital analysts’ network and across DLUHC;
•    Apply and develop your strategic thinking and leadership skills; Contribute to wider analytical work and developments across the Department; 
•    Use analytical tools such as R and STATA.

Person specification

Candidates can be part of any government analytical profession (GES, GORS, GSS or GSR badged) This is an exciting role which will provide an excellent platform for personal and career development. The postholder will require strong technical skills and ability to work closely with and influence policy and programme teams, particularly in data collection and research methods.
  
Essential: 
•    a thorough understanding of analytical principles and the ability to apply these to real-world policy challenges   
•    experience with a variety of quantitative research or data collection methods, and the ability to advise on the best approach to respond to particular needs
•    experience of developing new data sources and understanding user and quality requirements from collection to dissemination
•    experience of producing high quality influential quantitative analysis, including drawing upon different data sources and techniques to generate actionable insight;
•    accuracy and attention to detail;
•    an interest in learning, and contributing to, new research methods and statistical techniques;
•    ability to build collaborative working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and relevant external agencies, to influence and shape the direction of work and ensure analysis supports policy making;
•    ability to write clearly and to present to non-technical audiences in a way that engages, informs and drives decision-making;  
•    ability to consider the wider context of your work and how it fits within the wider objectives digital planning reform and the data requirements of the Dept.

Desirable:  
•    understanding of agile methods of working and experience supporting digital delivery teams
•    experience carrying out data analysis using statistical packages, such as R or STATA
•    experience managing monitoring and evaluation activity

Analysts in DLUHC must be affiliated to a Government analytical profession.  This is usually one of the following: 

• Government Economic Service (GES) 
• Government Operational Research Service (GORS) 
• Government Social Research Service (GSR) 
• Government Statistical Service (GSS) 

Stage 1: Filter and eligibility questions, entry tests 

Candidates who successfully pass the initial filter and eligibility questions will be asked to confirm which of the analytical professions they belong to or are applying to be part of.  This information will be used to progress successful applications to the appropriate professional checks element of the process.  

Existing civil servants who are currently a member of one of these professions will retain their professional membership in this role.  Applicants on promotion will be assessed for promotion within their profession as part of the selection process.  Please make any current affiliation clear in your application.  

External candidates or civil servants without a current profession affiliation may be considered for accreditation to one of the professions as part of the recruitment process.  If you are not currently a member of a government analytical profession you will be put through the membership process for your chosen profession as part of this application.  You must pass the membership process for your application to be successful.  If you do not pass the relevant profession entry test your application will not be taken further.  See the Guide for Analytical Candidates document for more details of the membership process for the relevant profession.  

You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview. 

Please refer to the Guide for Analytical Candidates which provides: 

1 - The technical competences for each analytical profession – GES, GORS, GSR and GSS. 

2 - details of the entry requirements to each analytical profession 

3 – details of the entry process for each analytical profession 

 

Entry Qualifications  

The entry qualifications are listed below.  Please list FULL details of your degree in your application form. 

Government Economic Service (GES): 

To possess or expected to have a first or upper second class honours degree with at least 50% of the modules in economics, or have a masters in economics.  Modules must have covered both micro and macroeconomics to qualify. 

If you graduated more than five years ago then you must have examples of how you have maintained your economic knowledge on the competency section of the application form. 

Government Operational Research Service (GORS): 

2:1 in a numerate degree (the rule of thumb is that at least 50% of the studied modules must have mathematical content). 

Applicants with a 2:2 degree may be accepted but they must show wider skills and experience relevant to Government OR.  For instance, a Masters qualification in OR would be considered sufficient evidence of the wider skills and experience that we are looking for. 

Government Social Research (GSR): 

Hold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:1 or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in a social science subject.  A qualifying social science subject is one which contains substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken in the course).  It should cover quantitative methods and at least three of the five topics listed below. 

Mandatory: Quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis) 

Three of: 

• Systematic/literature reviews 
• Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis) 
• Interpretation of data (qual & quan), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions 
• Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation 
• Application of ethics to research 

Relevant degree subjects in the social sciences can be varied.  Potential members need to demonstrate the substantial social research methods training they have taken and not merely the social science degree subjects. 

OR 

Professional Experience route: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. The degree requirement for Main Stream applicants is an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 with no need for a postgraduate degree. In any case, social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. 

Government Statistical Service (GSS): 

a first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician and 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar) 

or 

a higher degree, e.g. a MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar) 

or 

have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a log book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five) 

or 

have achieved or are on track to achieve a level four apprenticeship including at least two years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development in statistics or data analysis (via a log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession) 

 

Statistician candidates ( entry test) : 

Candidates who ARE NOT members of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) will be invited to sit the Government Statistical Services Test.  This is the first part of the GSS membership process and you must pass this test for your application to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.  

If you are not currently a member of the GSS but meet the entry criteria to join this profession, please apply to vacancy number 331928. 

Social Researcher candidates (entry test) : 

Candidates who ARE NOT members of Government Social Research service (GSR) will be invited to sit the Government Social Research Knowledge test.  This is the first part of the GSR membership process and you must pass this test for your application to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. 

 

Competencies 

You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview. 

Professional technical competences are listed below: 

Economic competences 

Economics: Application of knowledge 

Economics: Analysis of data 

Economics: Effective communication 

Operational Research competences 

Operational research: Sustaining and developing operational research professionals and professionalism 

Operational research: Knowledge and application of operational research skills 

Operational research: Achieving impact with analysis 

Social research competences 

Social research: technical skills 

Social research: using and promoting social research 

Statistics competences 

Statistics: Acquiring data/Understanding customer needs 

Statistics: Data analysis 

Statistics: Presenting and disseminating data effectively 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £51,934, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities contributes £14,022 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

We are for everyone 

At DLUHC we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We promote equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. 

We would strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with the vacancy manager to find out more information about this role. 

We are for everyone 

DLUHC want to bring in and bring on a diverse workforce at all levels.  

Our application system is designed to remove as much bias as possible from the recruitment system – this means that a hiring manager does not know your name, your details, see your whole application in one go (or have your CV at review stage unless stated otherwise).  

At application stage you will be asked to upload a CV document. Unless stated otherwise in the advert, your CV will not form part of the assessment but will be used for information purposes and only shared with the panel at interview stage. 

Your answers are randomised and chunked up. This means that each assessor views sets of responses to questions for example all candidates’ responses to ‘Seeing the Big Picture’ rather than seeing a candidate’s full application. The science behind this is that recruitment can be subject to ordering and fatigue effects and we want to reduce this as much as possible.  

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors. 

When writing your application, remember: 

• that the assessor won’t be reading your answers sequentially.  
• do not assume that the same assessors will have read all of your answers.  

If talking about something in your first answer, make sure that write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!) 

At sift, we will be assessing: 

Technical (Lead element) - Please provide an example of where you have collected and analysed data for the purposes of providing advice to non-analysts

Behaviour 1 - Leadership

Behaviour 2  - Communicating and influencing

Behaviour 3 - Working Together

There is a 250 word limit per question. 

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead element listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

We do not consider direct CV applications – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs.

Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign.  

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of:  

Behaviour: Leadership, Communicating and influencing, Working Together

Technical: Competences related to your analytical profession

Candidates invited to interview will be expected to complete an oral briefing exercise as part of the interview process.  The oral-briefing exercise is designed to simulate aspects of the job to be performed and provide a second basis for assessing the behaviours and competencies required in the job. 

The oral briefing is usually part of the professional requirements as government analytical professions require an oral briefing as part of the entry or promotion process.  The briefing will take one of the following forms: 

1.  A prepared on the day presentation to the interview panel which will be followed by questions from the panel.  You will be provided with all the information to use for your presentation on the day of your interview.  You will be given up to 45 minutes to read this information and prepare your presentation. 

OR 

1.  You will be provided with a question in advance of the interview and asked to prepare a presentation of a specific length addressing this question.  This presentation will be followed by questions from the panel. 

Candidates invited to interview will be given full instructions on the presentation being used. 

The presentation will be followed by a 45 minute competency based interview. 

 

In the full campaign we will test the below Success Profile Elements: 

Behaviours: Leadership, Communicating and influencing, Working Together

Technical: Competences related to your analytical profession

Grade 7 salary

• The salary for this role is £57,091 (London) or £51,934 (National). 
• For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable. If you apply for a role that requires a transfer of location, for example if you are transferring from London to a National location, your salary will be adjusted in accordance with our policy on transfer between HQ pay ranges. 
•  In addition, subject to membership of the appropriate professional body, a non-consolidated analysts allowance of £3,500 pa will be paid.

 
Please note that the average employer pension contribution is based upon the National minimum salary for this role. Should your agreed starting salary for this role be different, the average employer pension contribution will be calculated accordingly. If you are a Secondee, this will not apply as you will remain on your home organisation’s terms and conditions.

 

BENEFITS: 

Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018: Any move to DLUHC 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 

For further information about the benefits available to DLUHC employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack. 

 

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: 

• London 
• Wolverhampton 
• Manchester
• Bristol
• Darlington* 

There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role. 

*Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service.   

For further information on the DEC, please take a look at the attached DEC candidate pack. 

 

SIFT AND INTERVIEW DATES: 

Sifting is envisaged to take place from 12/01/24 with interview dates to be confirmed. All interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. 

 

RESERVE LIST: 

In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact recruitment@communities.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list. 

CTC (Counter-terrorism Clearance): 

Important note 

 
Successful candidates for roles based in our 2 Marsham Street building must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete. 
 
Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Please refer to the DLUHC Notes on Security Clearance section of our Candidate Pack for further information on Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC). Thank you. 
 
Candidates should also note that with effect from 1st August 2018 the department will also check all applicants who are successful at interview, against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) held by the Cabinet Office. In accordance with the Civil Service Internal Fraud Policy, any applicant who is included on the IFD will be refused employment by DLUHC. Please see the Candidate Pack for further information on the Internal Fraud Database. 

Before starting your application it’s very important to make sure that you are eligible to apply and meet the Civil Service nationality requirements. All candidates are expected to read the information provided in the DLUHC candidate pack regarding nationality requirements and rules 

 

Candidate Pack Information 

Please see attached Candidate pack for further information. 

 

Internal Fraud Database 

The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned.The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to DLUHC as a participating government organisations. DLUHC then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented.  

For more information please see - Internal Fraud Register 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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.