About the job

Job summary

Compared to other OECD countries, the UK has large and persistent spatial differences in productivity. Addressing this is a national priority and we seek to share prosperity across the country by embedding ‘place’ as an important component of national industrial strategy, growth and almost all government policies. 

Local Growth Analysis (LGA) is a team of over 40 multi-disciplinary analysts which sits across the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). LGA advises on the design, allocation, monitoring and evaluation of local growth funds as well as strategic elements of local growth – helping support local economic growth nationally.  

We are seeking a HEO analyst to join the Strategic Spatial Analysis team within the LGA division. The team acts as the government’s think tank on spatial issues, by delivering strategic thought leadership, advocating for the spatial perspective within government and acting as a critical facilitator between teams. The team has actively shaped the government policy in this space and the post holder will continue to answer the government’s key analytical questions and inform policy design. 

Given the strategic nature of this role, and the political importance of the policy area, this post is guaranteed to be interesting and wide-ranging. The post holder will work closely with analysts across DBT and DLUHC, policy colleagues and external stakeholders. They will be expected to work flexibly across the wider team to meet business priorities and develop a greater knowledge of spatial analysis, competences in analytical techniques, and written and oral communication skills. 

The team is ideal for proactive individuals eager to engage in interesting and high-profile analysis; with a fast-moving, friendly and intellectually stimulating environment. As a strategic analytical team, there are opportunities for using analysis to develop a high-quality evidence base and address the key analytical questions that shape government policy and funding arrangements, with significant exposure to senior officials and Ministers across Whitehall. 

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. We are committed to good management and professional development of staff.  

Job description

Workload will be designed around the development needs of the job holder, but key responsibilities will likely include: 

• Shaping the high-profile policy agenda by proactively developing think pieces on place-relevant issues to build the team’s strategic evidence base. This will involve undertaking analysis using a variety of techniques and engaging with stakeholders across and outside of Whitehall, including think tanks, researchers and local government. 

• The post holder will undertake original cutting-edge spatial analysis. This will involve a combination of developing the teams existing analytical products and models, as well as undertaking bespoke and novel analysis to fill evidence gaps – for example, by using data science techniques. 

• Responding rapidly and accurately to evidence requests relating to spatial policy, as well as acting as a consultant on these issues to contribute to high-impact projects and policy needs.  

• Working with policy colleagues and external stakeholders within DBT, DLUHC and wider government, to champion the Levelling Up agenda and place-based considerations within the broader policy portfolio. Colleagues across a diverse range of policy areas require support to ensure analysis is delivered at the necessary spatial scale. 

• Staying up-to-date with research relevant to place-based policy and other relevant policy areas, as well as the latest developments in analytical techniques, to ensure informed policy recommendations supported by high-quality analysis. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

• Be (or be willing to become) a badged member of one of the Government Analytical Professions, either: the Government Statistician Group (GSG) or Government Operational Researchers (GORs) – see below for further details. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant analytical techniques, such as data management and statistical modelling. 
• This role would be most suitable for an analyst already proficient in excel but keen on improving upon technical skills including R, python, mapping, data visualisation, and PowerBI. 

Requirements for Government Statistician Group (GSG): 

The accepted qualifications for GSG posts are: 

• a first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician; 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar) 

• a higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar) 

• have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) logbook) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) Level 5 
• Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics or data analysis (via a CPD log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession). Please note - candidates may apply in their final year of study whilst they are still awaiting their qualification result, however, formal contracts can only be offered upon confirmation of the achievement of the relevant qualification. In the case of an apprenticeship, this includes completing 2 years work experience in a statistical/data analysis field in government as part of attaining the qualification.  

Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) will be required to do an online statistical test and a dissemination exercise as part of the application process to join the GSG.  

Once you have submitted your application and the application has closed, you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete the GSS online multiple-choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed within 48 hours for you to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered. 

Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting the online test. To prevent your application being rejected please email dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as you apply to notify us. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team. 

We'll assess you against the technical skills from the Government Statistician Group competency framework during the selection process and this may include a presentation. The technical skills are: 

• Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively 

• Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs 

• Data Analysis 

https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/  

Requirements for Government Operational Researchers (GORs): 

All candidates must meet the external recruitment requirements for GORs in terms of academic qualifications (outlined on the GORS website): 

• High numeracy: You must possess a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification. 

• Highly numerate degrees include Astrophysics, Data Science, Decision Science, Econometrics, Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physics and Statistics. 
• Other numerate degrees, such as Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Geography, IT, Management, Management Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences and Systems Science, may be accepted if 50% or more of the modules are considered highly numerate. 

Applicants who are not already members of the Government Operational Researchers (GORS) must be complete a problem structuring presentation as part of their interview. Candidates will be given 45 minutes to prepare a 5-minute presentation followed by around 10 minutes of questions from the interview panel. The subject of the presentation will be a Problem Structuring question provided to the candidate on the day. Further details on the problem structuring presentation will be given closer to the interview. 

Desirable Criteria  

• Have strong communication skills, and confidently share analysis in a clear and simple manner to technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Build effective working relationships with key policy, delivery and analytical partners. 

• Have the ability to manage a varied workload, and to prioritise effectively to meet competing deadlines. 

• Have experience in analysing a wide range of incomplete and/or complex data or evidence and quality assuring finding. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,858, Department for Business and Trade contributes £8,871 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change. 

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:    

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. 
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.   

In the event that there is a high volume of applicants, a short sift will be conducted based on Personal statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

If you are offered an interview, you will need to complete exercises and technical questions based on the analytical membership you apply for or are a member of. The necessary exercises are outlined above and you will receive further details prior to the interview. The technical skill questions relating to the membership you hold are based on:

• GSG candidates - Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively, Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs, Data Analysis
• GORS candidates - Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques, Achieving impact with analysis

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment: 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. 

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.  

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

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.  

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department. 

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.   
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.  
• 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. Any applicant who has 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.  
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.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.