About the job

Job summary

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates  

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education

We welcome flexible working and are open to a blended approach of working from home and in an office.

Apprenticeships are exciting options for both apprentices and employers – learning new skills, growing talent and making sure employers have access to the right skills to thrive.

We work in the Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to put employers and apprentices at the heart of apprenticeships – delivering a programme that is led by employer choice and demand, is higher quality and focused on occupational competence.

To do this we deliver innovative, user-focused services that operate at scale and enable employers, apprentices, training providers and end-point assessment organisations to work together to make apprenticeships great.

We are proud to be known as pioneers across government. We never stop looking for ways to improve, from new product development to the use of robotics. Our line of work is fascinating and we want you to be part of it.

If you share our vision, and you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you.

Join us, and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

Some of the great benefits of working with us include: 

• You will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK - Contributory pension (worth 26.6 - 27.9% of salary)
• The Institute for Fiscal Studies recently said that “the biggest difference between public and private sectors remains the value of employer contributions to public service pensions. These are much more generous in the public sector than in the private sector”
• If you have accrued pension rights in another pension scheme, you may be eligible to transfer these rights into the Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Learning and development opportunities tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Find out more about us here!

Job description

We are looking for a Business Analyst at the level of Higher Executive Officer (HEO) to join our team and make a difference in the education sector.

The successful candidate will be responsible for working in multidisciplinary agile teams across the service. Involvement will be at all phases of the project lifecycle (Discovery, Alpha, Beta and Live). 

You will provide business analysis as part of a multidisciplinary team:

• Plan, design, develop and execute appropriate research strategies with researchers.
•  Analyse and present insight on where services are poor, inefficient or fail to reach desired outcomes.
•  Ensure that the business solution aligns with the vision, mission, objectives, strategy, business and user needs.
• Work closely with policy and operations colleagues, to understand and illustrate the existing supporting system of a service, and design targeted improvements to that system, to accommodate the new service.
•  Understand how the digital economy is changing user behaviour and the government landscape. Is able to contribute to making decisions based on user needs, available technology and value for money.
•  Turn research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable product and service features.
• The ability to investigate, analyse, visualise, articulate and produce options for solutions to complex problems and concepts and make disciplined decisions based on available information.
• Support other people who have an interest in business analysis to ensure quality of research, and drive improvements in practice, using automated dates for relevant insights, via the usage of dashboarding and querying tools.
•  Be comfortable in the application and use of statistical analysis.
• Apply business analysis insights throughout the lifecycle of the project from discovery to live.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Identifying, defining and managing the objectives and requirements of a business;
• Investigating, analysing, visualising, articulating and solving complex problems;
• Identifying and analysing relationships with and between stakeholders;
• Identifying and exploring opportunities for service and business improvement;
• Driving the analysis, identification, and prioritisation of improvements and efficiencies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  

Desirable criteria 

• Good understanding of the software development lifecycle from project initiation through to deployment.
• A good knowledge of different approaches to software deployment such as agile methodologies.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. 

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. 

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

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.

Stage 1 – Application sift

During the application process, we will be assessing your experience through your CV and personal statement. Please align your CV and personal statement to the essential skills.  Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words.

Stage 2 - Interview:

At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the advert. We will also ask you questions around the Behaviours listed in the advert.  

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.   

DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

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.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

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.