About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Data Improvement Programme Evaluation Lead, G7, Data & Analysis, Ministry of Justice 

Overview

We have 1 role in the Data Improvement team, within the Data & Analysis Directorate. Whilst this job is being advertised without analytical badging, there will be the opportunity to apply for GSR badging once in post. 

We welcome applications from candidates based across the UK. Candidates will have the option of being based in the Leeds or London HQ offices (with flexible working arrangements available) or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. These are based at the following JCCs: Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, South Tyneside, Brighton, Ipswich and Liverpool, and the following JSOs: Ashford, Beverley, Haverfordwest, Hull, Merthyr Tydfil, Manchester, Newport, Birmingham, Sheffield, North Shields, Bristol, Wolverhampton, Weston-Super-Mare, Stafford, Truro, Winchester and Leeds. 

Alternative locations may be available and will be discussed and agreed on the completion of background checks. 

Interviews are likely to take place in March 2024 and will be held via MS Teams. We will keep a merit list for a year for those who successfully pass the interview board but who are not offered a post. 

About the Data Improvement Team 

This role sits within the Data Improvement team, leading on the evaluation of our two Data Improvement Programmes; the MoJ Data Improvement Programme and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) Data Improvement Programme which cover similar themes but across different areas, as follows: 

The MoJ Data Improvement Programme

• The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to being a data-led department which uses our data assets in an exemplary way to deliver for citizens and to change lives for the better. We’re investing in essential work to improve justice outcomes for millions of people through data-driven insight and innovation, ensure that data meets user needs and to build a culture that really values data as a strategic asset. 

• To do this, MoJ has created the Data Improvement team within the Data and Analysis Directorate. We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research, data and analysis. We have launched the Data Strategy for MoJ and are working on improvements across data governance, architecture, literacy, culture, dissemination and linking. You can read more about the Data Strategy and our recent work in these blog posts.
• https://mojdigital.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/30/becoming-a-truly-data-led-justice-system/
• https://mojdigital.blog.gov.uk/2023/12/19/mojs-data-strategy-one-year-on/ 

• Within MoJ, we are developing tools, approaches and solutions to improve the quality of our data, to make it easier to find and access the right data, and to build the data skills of people across the organisation from front line staff to senior decision-makers. By fixing these issues, we can better understand how our services are performing and take better-informed decisions to improve them – which will make a huge difference to the millions of people who interact with and rely on the justice system. 

The CJS Data Improvement Programme 

• The MoJ in partnership with the Home Office are leading on a data improvement plan across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to improve strategic and operational decision-making, and transform our collective understanding of the CJS. 

• To do this, our programme is looking to improve how we manage, link, share and use data across the CJS, In the short-term, we will do this through the development of innovative new cross-system tools and projects alongside foundational activities that improve data standards, data sharing and data literacy. However, we are also considering the long-term, and are working with stakeholders across the CJS to design the long-term strategy for CJS data. 

• Working on this programme is a great opportunity to work cross-government. Our programme is reliant on the engagement and collective input from CJS stakeholders including Police, Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, as well as wider government such as Number 10, Cabinet Office and Treasury. 

Why work in Data and Analysis?
The Data Improvement Team sit within the Data and Analysis Directorate. In Data and Analysis, we want all our people to feel valued for who they are and for the work they do. We provide a warm, inclusive place to work and offer a wide range of flexibilities and benefits as part of our people offer to reward our staff. 

What we offer

• Flexible working arrangements and a focus on equality of opportunity – including welcoming part-time and/or job-share arrangements, compressed hours, working from home or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centres or Justice Satellite Office.
• Career development – regular development and promotion opportunities across a wide range of roles, career development support, with a generous individual learning and development budget.
• Range of new areas of work and new tools and techniques – we pride ourselves on our excellent deployment of well-established analytical methods, but also our progress to date. Progress such as our ambitious and innovative transformation programme to leverage departmental data and drive evidence-based decision-making using cutting-edge tools and techniques (for example: experimentation, personalisation, artificial intelligence).
• Analysis is at the centre of the Department’s decision making – our transformation programme is focused on maximising our impact on departmental outcomes. The Ministry of Justice’s Senior Team and our Ministerial Team want all decisions to be evidence driven – your analysis will be key in influencing decisions and real-world impact
• Vibrant community – part of a multidisciplinary team that has a supportive culture and is looking to further develop the community with the help of everyone.
• See the frontline and what your work is influencing – regular opportunities to visit our front-line service providers, including courts, prisons, and probation to better understand the areas your analysis is affecting. 

What you’ll do 

This is an exciting role which is critical to the Data Improvement Programme being able to measure and understand the impact it’s having. This role will be in charge of delivering the evaluation across both MoJ and CJS elements. This work will directly contribute to potential future Spending Review bids and associated business cases. 

Work will include:

• Finalising the team’s evaluation strategy, working with the Deputy Director and Grade 6s of each team to prioritise evaluation activities.
• Delivering the Data Improvement Programme evaluation strategy, by overseeing the collection and analysis of data needed to address key evaluation questions.
• Delivering the final evaluation report on both our MoJ and CJS programmes.
• Providing key evaluation input into Spending Review bids and associated business cases.
• Acting as the expert and champion for evaluation within the team, providing timely advice on evaluation approaches, strategies and theories, to ensure that evaluation is embedded adequately and appropriately across the team’s work
• Ensuring that the findings from evaluation work are communicated across the team, encouraging colleagues at all levels to utilise and learn from the findings.
• Working with teams across the MoJ and cross-government to learn from similar Learning 

Who you are 

The following experience and skills will be required:

• Be an evaluation expert: have the evaluation skills and experience to shape how we evaluate the programme across a varied portfolio of products, activities and outputs.
• Highly collaborative with excellent teamwork: the ability to bring people together from a range of teams to convey the importance of evaluation, and work together to deliver.
• Highly adaptable: the ability and desire to work in changeable, fast-paced environments where priorities and timings may flex.
• Be a self-starter: the ability to take a vision and goal and work proactively to make them a reality.
• Delivery-focused: being motivated to deliver, with the ability to drive and shape work rather than wait to be given it.
• Data savvy: Strong understanding of the value of evidence & analysis, and therefore the importance of high-quality data. 

The following experience and skills are desirable:

• Experience working cross-government, particularly within the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of contributing towards business cases and/or Spending Review bids.
• Understanding of an agile approach to prototyping and development 

How to apply 

You’ll need to submit an anonymised CV and Statement of Suitability as part of your application. You will not be considered if you do not provide both. 

Your CV should be no more than 2 pages long and should show us your work history and previous experience. It should be well structured, succinct and written in clear language. 

Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. Consider giving examples that cover all the requirements in the ‘Who you are’ section and use work you have completed to demonstrate how you meet each one.  

Selection Process 

There will be an initial sift of applicants through comparing submitted evidence against the ‘Who you are’ bullets. This usually takes two weeks, depending on the number of applications. 

Those who make it through the initial sift will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profile interview. In the Civil Service we use Success Profiles to help us find the right person for the job. We will be using a mixture of methods to assess your abilities, strengths, experience, technical skills and behaviours. We highly recommend learning about Success Profiles and using the Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection (STARR) framework when structuring your answers. 

As part of this process, you will be required to give a short presentation at interview to demonstrate your evaluation expertise. Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview. 

The highest scoring candidates that pass the interview will be offered the roles. The whole process can take up to a month. 

Behaviours

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework and strengths at interview stage:

• Changing and Improving 
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Working Together 

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade. 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf  

Applicants invited for Interview  

You will be required to give a short presentation at interview to demonstrate your evaluation expertise. Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview. 

Further Information

If you require any additional information about the role, please contact james.goldson1@justice.gov.uk, Head of CJS Data Improvement Programme

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,358, Ministry of Justice contributes £15,165 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, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.