About the job

Job summary

The Government Commercial and Grants Services (GCGS) team works across two key Government Functions, the Commercial Function and the Grants Management Function.  We deliver best in class digital, data and analytical solutions to drive meaningful services with cutting edge technology and data driven insights, enabling greater efficiencies and more integrated ways of working across c.£172bn of government grant funding and c.£50bn of procurement spend.

Part of the Government Grants and Commercial Directorate, GCGS is a fast paced and exciting place to work. The team is leading the way through use of digital tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness of grants and contract administration, while simultaneously improving data completeness and accuracy.

Through our collective efforts we have delivered true value to the public and we are excited to be taking the next steps in our journey.  This is an exciting opportunity to shape and implement services that will make a huge difference to communities across the UK. We can’t wait to hear from you!

This is an exciting role working in an unique organisation at the heart of Government.  We are looking for someone ambitious, driven and inquisitive about trends who will inspire others to look to analysis for the answers!

You will be joining a friendly team who are passionate in how we can use data in new and innovative ways to support decision making across Government.

Job description

The GCG Data & Analytical Services team provides analytical support to both the GGMF and the Government Commercial Function (GCF). We lead a broad range of analytical projects, from publishing official statistics to economic appraisal and evaluation.

This role sits in our Analytical Business Partnering portfolio, providing dedicated analytical support to the GCF Strategy, Assurance and Standards team (SAS). 

SAS has the following key objectives:

• Deliver the Commercial Spend Control process;
• Deliver the GCF Functional Strategy;
• Deliver the GCF’s Communications & Engagement Plan across the public sector commercial community;
• Set and benchmark organisations against GovS 008: The Commercial Standard, via the Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework (CCIAF); and
• Set up and operate the Procurement Review Unit (PRU), in addition to delivering the existing Public Procurement Review Service.

This role is pivotal to SAS being able to achieve these objectives, through providing insightful analysis to support decision making.

The responsibilities of this role include:

• Working with a diverse range of stakeholders from across Government to deliver reporting and analysis on the CCIAF, providing a single view of cross-government commercial operations and actionable insight on where improvements can be made;
• Leading a range of analytical projects to support SAS delivery, including building new dashboards and supporting PRU delivery;
• Developing a deep understanding of SAS delivery, services and tools; and the underlying data sources;
• Nurturing effective client relationships with SAS stakeholders and providing excellent analytical service delivery;
• End-to-end analytical project delivery from scoping customer requirements to close down;
• Identifying where analysis can add the most value and utilising innovative methods;
• Analysing data from a range of sources and systems from across Government, providing insightful and actionable reports to senior stakeholders;
• Developing and implementing processes to improve data completeness, timeliness and quality;
• Supporting the team in monitoring departmental Continuous Improvement Plans, benefits/impact analysis and providing internal reports for senior management and inputs into external reports (such as NAO etc.) as required;
• Line management responsibility for one junior analyst.

Person specification

Specialist skills and requirements

Essential Criteria: 

• Degree of minimum 2:1 in a numerate subject.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills. You understand how to apply basic techniques for analysis of research data and synthesis of findings. You know how to involve your team in analysis and synthesis. You can present clear findings that colleagues can understand and use.
• Communication skills. You can translate and communicate accurate information to technical and non-technical stakeholders. You know how to facilitate discussions within a multidisciplinary team, with potentially difficult dynamics. You can advocate for the team externally and manage differing perspectives.
• Data management. You understand data governance and how it works in relation to other organisational governance structures. You can participate in or deliver the assurance of a service.
• Data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment skills. You can produce data models and understand where to use different types of data models. You understand different tools and can compare different data models. You know how to reverse-engineer a data model from a live system. You understand industry-recognised data-modelling patterns and standards.
• Data visualisation. You know how to use the most appropriate medium to visualise data to tell compelling and actionable stories relevant for business goals. You can present, communicate and disseminate data appropriately and with high impact.
• Logical and creative thinking skills. You know how to respond to problems in databases, data processes, data products and services as they occur. You can initiate actions, monitor services and identify trends to resolve problems. You know how to determine the appropriate remedy and can help to implement it as well as preventative measures.
• Project management skills. You know how to apply your knowledge and experience of project management methodologies, including tools and techniques. You know how to adopt those most appropriate for the environment.
• Proven IT and mathematical skills. You know how to apply your knowledge and experience of these skills, including tools and techniques. You can adopt those most appropriate for the environment.
• Quality assurance, validation and data linkage abilities. You can recognise and identify appropriate ways to collect, collate and prepare data. You can decide if data is accurate and fit for purpose. You know how to do your own data preparation and cleansing with limited guidance.
• Statistical methods and data analysis skills. You know how and when to practically apply existing best-practice solutions.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,850, Cabinet Office contributes £11,029 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

At application stage candidates will be assessed on your behaviours, past experience, technical skills, and statement of suitability.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500-word Personal Statement, 250-word Behavioural Statements and 250-word Technical Skills Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

For your personal statement, please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria as listed in the 'Person specification' section of the job advert

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the personal statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Selection process

At interview stages candidates will be assessed on both the below technical skills and behaviours: 

• Statistical methods and data analysis skills. 
• Data visualisation, and Quality assurance validation and data linkage abilities.

And will be assessed on the following behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace.
• Working Together.
• Changing and Improving.
• Making Effective Decisions.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 22/01/2024
Expected interview date/s – w/c 05/02/2024
Interview location - Google Meets

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office 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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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. 

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.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable adjustments

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 cabinetofficerecruitment.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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

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 security 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.