About the job

Job summary

The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) is the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects. We sit at the heart of government, reporting to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. Our core teams include experts in infrastructure, project delivery and project finance who work with government departments and industry. We support the successful delivery of all types of infrastructure and major projects; ranging from railways, schools, hospitals and housing, to defence, IT and major transformation programmes. We lead the project delivery and project finance professions across government.

Our purpose is to continuously improve the way infrastructure and major projects are delivered, in order to support government priorities and improve people’s lives. We aspire to create the best performing project system of any country in the world.

The IPA works with government and industry to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and effectively, and to improve performance over time. We work on the overall project delivery system, which includes the projects, people and processes that together create the right environment for successful delivery. We measure how well the system is performing, so we can learn important lessons and continuously improve project performance over time.

The Team

The IPA Data and Insight Team has a mission to better understand, support and improve the deliverability and performance of Government’s projects now and into the future. 

We do this by collecting and maintaining project data; creating an enduring indispensable Government asset. We transform this crucial dataset into insights and advice at the project, portfolio and cross-Government system level so that the IPA, project delivery professionals across government, HMT and No10 can access the evidence they need to make the best decisions.

Specifically, for the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP), we lead on:

1. Data Collection and Management
2. Management Information and custom reporting
3. Advanced Analytics
4. Promoting and Embedding a Data Culture

The Data and Insight Team prides itself on fostering a hard-working, supportive and inclusive environment, making the team a great place to work.

Job description

The Performance analyst role is critical for the IPA with access to data from the biggest and most complex programmes and portfolios across government, you will have a key role in creating project, programme and system level insight to support better delivery across government. You will need to work closely with colleagues in No10, Treasury, Cabinet Office and wider government. You will be in pole position to drive coordinated improvements in Project Delivery performance reporting, analysis and use of data across the public sector.

Role responsibilities:

• GRIP/GMPP transition support – You will help support the transition of GMPP from OSCAR to GRIP; shape the new GMPP templates; and continue to improve GMPP reporting and its integration in the wider project delivery ecosystem.
• GMPP – You will look after the GMPP programs that are owned by DLUHC, DCMS, and DEFRA and act as a point of contact between the IPA and these departments, as well as between the IPA project delivery experts and the analysis team. 
• Maintain Onboarding/Offboarding/Re-tiering spreadsheet ecosystem – You will ensure that the ecosystem of google sheets that process GMPP onboarding/offboarding/re-tiering decisions remain fit for purpose and up-to-date. 
• Ensure consistency of EAS and other data ecosystems – You will ensure that the information imputed in the Engagement and Assurance System (EAS) remain aligned with other IPA source of information using best suited solutions
• Advanced Analytics – you will help support the Analysis and Insight Unit advanced analytics research branch by conducting analyses that aim to uncover insight in major project developments using programming and machine learning. 

Person specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Analysis and synthesis (data analyst), you can understand how to apply basic techniques for the analysis of research data and synthesis of findings; effectively involve your team in analysis and synthesis; and present clear findings that colleagues can understand and use.
• Communication, you can communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders; support and host discussions within a multidisciplinary team, with potentially difficult dynamics; and be an advocate for the team externally, and can manage differing perspectives.
• Data management, you can understand data governance and how it works in relation to other organisational governance structures; and participate in or deliver the assurance of a service.
• Data modelling, cleansing and enrichment, you can produce data models and understand where to use different types of data models; understand different tools and can compare different data models; reverse-engineer a data model from a live system; and understand industry-recognised data modelling patterns and standards.
• Data quality assurance, validation and linkage, you can identify appropriate ways to collect, collate and prepare data; decide if data is accurate and fit for purpose; and prepare and cleanse data with limited guidance.
• Data visualisation, you can use the most appropriate medium to visualise data to tell compelling stories that are relevant to business goals and can be acted upon; and present, communicate and disseminate data appropriately and with influence.
• Project management, you can apply your knowledge and experience of project management methodologies, including tools and techniques; and adopt those most appropriate for the environment
• Statistical methods and data analysis, you can understand how and when to practically apply existing best practice solutions

Desirable

• Strong general coding background in Python, R or similar experience
• Strong querying language background in SQL, or similar experience
• Strong dashboarding background in Tableau, PowerBi, or similar experience 

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 £35,400, Cabinet Office contributes £9,558 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 Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

1. A CV setting out your job history, qualifications and skills / experience.
2. A personal statement (no longer than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria listed in the 'person specification' section of the job advert. 

Failure to submit both documents (CV and personal statement) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. 

You will also be assessed against the 3 behaviours; Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, and Managing a Quality Service. 

Interview

At interview, we will be evaluating candidates based on their experience and the three behaviours; Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, and Managing a Quality Service. 

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – TBC
Expected interview date/s – TBC
Interview location - Google meet

Further Information

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

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.

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. 

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.

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

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years UK residency in the past 3 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.

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

Reasonable Adjustment

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.

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.