About the job

Job summary

The first duty of Government is to protect the public. Since 1782, the Home Office has led work to keep the country safe from those who seek to do it harm.

The Home Office covers three systems: Homeland Security, Public Safety and Borders, and Immigration and Citizenship. These systems work collaboratively to deliver our cross-cutting priorities, whilst providing increasingly efficient and secure services for the public.

Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) enables the Home Office to keep citizens safe and the country secure, as well as at the front line of making the Home Office a modern and capable department at a time of unprecedented global change.

Within DDaT, the Data Services and Analytics (DSA) team find innovative uses for Home Office data and contains one of the most advanced data analytics centres in Government. We strive to lead the way in appropriate and proportionate use of data and analytics to deliver joined-up, intelligent services that unlock the value from data and improve decision making, policy and operations. 
What this means is a daily opportunity to work with teams across the Home Office’s areas of responsibility, from borders, visas and passports, to policing and national security, with some of the largest and most varied datasets and in support of critical national initiatives.
Data Services and Analytics consist of technical and non-technical professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds, we are the hub of data expertise within the department. We support our teams with structured learning, both formal and on-the-job, mentoring and feedback.
We embrace diversity and inclusion to ensure we represent the public we serve, and we are passionate about fair treatment and the wellbeing of our colleagues as part of our ambitions to be a brilliant Civil Service.
By joining Data Services and Analytics now, you can help drive forward our aim to become recognised as the leading provider of data insight services in Government.

The Home Office is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition.

Job description

Your main day to day responsibilities will be:
• Managing, cleaning, abstracting and aggregating data alongside a range of analytical studies on that data
• Identifying, collecting and migrating complex data to/from a range of systems, and delegating to their team where required
• Summarising and presenting the results of data analysis to a range of senior customers, making recommendations
• Using a range of analytical techniques to identify and predict trends in a variety of complex data types
• Working with stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver findings, with oversight from lead data analysts
• Building capability and continually developing programming and analysis skills of self and others through line managing Data Analysts  

You will also be expected to carry out the following day to day activities:

• Leading on data quality checking and cleaning
• Developing knowledge of cutting-edge techniques and sharing knowledge of data analysis across the organisation
• Working with Data Engineers to map, produce, transform and test new data feeds for data owners and consumers, advising on the most appropriate tools and techniques
• Leading ad hoc data exploration in a wide variety of data serialisation and storage formats, from across the business, for data consumers
• Designing, coding, testing, correcting and documenting moderate to complex programmes and scripts from agreed specifications and subsequent iterations, using agreed standards and tools
• Proactively exploring areas of innovation in both government and industry
• Manipulating and linking different data sets as required
• Interpreting and applying relevant data information security standards, policies and procedures to data
• Performing routine statistical analysis and ad-hoc queries which may include the production of reports

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024.  Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Candidates with exceptional skills and experience may receive a Recruitment and Retention Allowance between £2,500 and £7,300 This allowance is subject to annual review in line with Departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.

Person specification

Essential Skills

You’ll have demonstrable passion for Data Analysis, with the following skills or some experience in:

•    Helping teams apply a range of techniques (e.g. network analysis, data matching, information retrieval, text analytics) to analyse data and provide insight 
•    Understanding data sources, data organisations and storage
•    Understanding conceptual, logical and physical data modelling, developing knowledge of data cleansing and standardisation 
•    Presenting analysis and visualisations in a clear way to communicate complex messages that inform decisions to technical and non-technical audiences
•    Leading a team to develop and deliver analytics products
•    Identifying the business value for innovation within an organisation
•    Using programming languages such as SQL and python and visualisation tools such as Power BI 

The skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office DDaT Profession Skills and Competency Model (based on the industry standard SFIA framework). Please see below for the relevant skills required for your role:
Strategy & Architecture
•    Information Strategy
o    Analytics (INAN) – Level 3

•    Business Strategy and Planning
o    Innovation (INOV) – Level 3

Development and Implementation
•    Systems Development
o    Programming/Software Development (PROG) – Level 3
o    Data Modelling and Design (DTAN) – Level 3

Skills and Quality
•    Quality and Conformance
o    Quality Assurance (QUAS) – Level 3

Relationships and Engagement
•    Stakeholder Management
o    Relationship Management (RLMT) – Level 3

Desirable Skills

Ideally you will also have the following skills or some experience in:

• Presenting technical/analytical work to senior customers
• Applying analytical techniques to present a solution
• Conducting data quality assurance, validation and storage
• A degree (minimum 2:2) in a numerical, IT or computing discipline is desirable proven IT and mathematical skills demonstrated through relevant qualifications or work experience
• Postgraduate level training and/or experience working at a senior level in a Data Analysis role is desirable
• ITIL v3 or v4 Foundation is desirable

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

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.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

•  A CV detailing job history/qualifications/skills 
•  A statement of suitability (maximum 1000 words)  

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The statement of suitability should be aligned to demonstrate your skills and experience for the role and how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description.

The sift will be held on the statement of suitability. The CV will not be scored.

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed against the listed behaviours, Essential Criteria, Experience and Technical Skills.

Sift and Interview dates

Sift is expected to take place from  08/01/2024.

Interviews are expected to take place from 29/01/2024.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert, however on occasions these dates may change. 

Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
• A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
• Good internet connection
• Microsoft Teams
 
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.

Further Information

For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.  A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement. 

If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.

A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made. 

We often have similar roles available at different grade. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or at a lower grade then they applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same competencies and essential criteria.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office.  Applicants can discuss any specific questions with the Vacancy Holder.

Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.

We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.

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

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.

For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.

Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.

Transfer Terms: Voluntary.

If you are invited to an interview you will be required to  bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.

Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.

Any move to the Home 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

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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

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

Security

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.