About the job

Job summary

This vacancy is for candidates wishing to apply under Government Social Research (GSR) profession either as a current member or as an applicant that is eligible for membership of the Government Social Research profession.

Grade 6 Analyst role: Vulnerable People, Data and Evaluation Division The Vulnerable People, Data and Evaluation division contains is a multi-disciplinary team of economists, statisticians, DDaT professionals, operational, and social researchers and working split across four separate G6-led teams. The division provides high quality, innovative research, and analysis across a wide range of DLUHC policies focused on vulnerable people (including homelessness and rough sleeping and domestic abuse). The division also includes teams responsible for data insights and innovation and a team focused on supporting evaluation across the directorate and department.

This is a broad and challenging role, and the post holder will be expected to develop and lead a research and analysis programme on homelessness and rough sleeping, shaping and supporting policy making in the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Directorate. Priorities include delivering a £15m programme of evaluation work on expanding and consolidating evidence-base on homelessness and rough sleeping to deliver high quality value for money assessments at the next SR. The role also includes management of the workload of a team responsible for leading and managing the analytical support, advice and wider input to the Changing Futures and programme and evaluation of the implementation of the Domestic Abuse duty. This involves providing sound analytical support and technical advice to the policy team; managing the process of collecting and quality assuring monitoring data; and providing advice on methodologies and delivery mechanisms

Job description

Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership of the HRS Evaluation Programme including a system-wide evaluation of the homelessness and rough sleeping system including programme-specific deep dives.
• Contribute to the wider analytical leadership across the department.
• Bringing the latest research, insights and thinking to bear on the work of the directorate, including collaborating with external experts and research funders to enhance the evidence base (including Research Councils, research centres and outputs from What Works Centres).
• Development of the data framework underpinning the evaluation work, working closely with statistical teams in the division to design data collection and processing.
• Maximising the productivity of the analytical team’s resources and tailoring this to the priorities of the senior management team
• Line management responsibility for three Grade 7s and a broader team of mixed statisticians, researchers and operational delivery professionals; developing the capability of the team and managing the professional development of staff.

Person specification

• The postholder will be expected to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team with a high level of cross-departmental engagement. The analytical techniques you could be managing are broad and you will have the opportunity to shape the direction of the analytical projects you work on. The postholder will manage at least 5 staff.
• This post provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced analyst to lead on all aspects of analytical projects and shape the direction of travel for an exciting range of new projects. The postholder will also be exposed to big picture thinking to put in place long term data improvements to solve complex cross-cutting analytical questions, including leading a system-wide evaluation of the homelessness system.
• As one of the Department’s senior analysts, the post holder will support the wider analytical work across the department by leading and contributing to wider analytical debate, reviews, and quality assurance, and developing and mentoring analysts.
• As a division we 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. The postholder will be an experienced manager who is committed to good management and the professional development of staff.

Qualifications or experience needed.

Successful applicants for this role must be a full member of a government analytical profession or be prepared to become a member of the relevant profession.
 
Civil Servants who are currently a member of a government analytical profession will retain their professional membership in this role. 
 
Applicants without a current affiliation to a government analytical profession will be considered for accreditation to the relevant profession as part of the recruitment process.  This means you must meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen profession.  This is usually a first- or second-class honours degree in a relevant subject.  Each analytical profession sets out the specific requirements in more details on their website.  Links to the entry requirements are below.
 
Government Social Research Service (GSR) 

Entry requirements: 

• Relevant Qualification route: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree. For Main Stream applicants, the requirement is an undergraduate
   degree at a minimum of 2:2 with no need for a postgraduate degree.[1] In any case, the degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and
   at least 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. 

• 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. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,599, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities contributes £16,631 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

Selection Process Details 

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.  

 

As part of our pre-employment checking process we will be using your CV to confirm your job history. Please note that by providing us with your CV you are consenting to us using the information enclosed as part of the checking process. 

 

We are for everyone 

 

DLUHC want to bring in 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: 

• 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 you write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!) 

 

 

At sift, we will be assessing 

 

Behaviour 1 - Leadership

 

Behaviour 2 Communicating and Influencing 

 

Technical - (Lead criteria) Write about a time when you led an analytical project, including actions you took to ensure it addressed a complex problem need whilst ensuring evidence was robust.

 

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 criteria listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

 

 

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of the following success profiles elements:    

Behaviour – Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service 

Technical 

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. 

 

Candidates who are not members of a government analytical profession may also need to pass an entry test for their profession as part of the selection process. 

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

 

Behaviours: (Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service)

Technical: yes

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 

 

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

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

Candidates who are EXISTING members of Government Social Research service (GSR) do not need to complete this test as part of their application. 

 

Candidates who do not pass the filter and eligibility questions will not move to the second stage. 

 

Competencies 

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

 

Social research competences 

Social research: technical skills 

Social research: using and promoting social research 

Grade 6 posts:  

• The salary for this role will be £61,599pa (National).  In addition, subject to membership of the appropriate professional body, a non-consolidated analysts allowance of £4,500 pa will be paid. 
• 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. 

 
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: 

• Wolverhampton 
• Darlington* 
• Birmingham
• Bristol

 

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 (DEC) 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 2nd April onwards 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 in 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@levellingup.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list. 

 

Candidate Pack Information 

Please see attached Candidate pack for further information. 

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 

 

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. 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.