About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a performance analyst to join the growing analytical team at the Planning Inspectorate to lead the production of reliable statistical information for external audiences.     

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please see the information pack attached. You can also view our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

We are looking for a proactive, analytical thinker who is curious about data and keen to provide statistics to the required standards. 

You will be highly motivated to help improve the way we produce our statistics, and ensure they meet users’ needs. 

You will need to be a good communicator, to help explain findings to stakeholders; and well organised to ensure deadlines are met and processes documented.

A typical week in this role will include:    

• Overseeing production of statistical reports, answering Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information Requests. 
• Exploring issues of data quality and working with the wider data and digital colleagues to find ways to make improvements

Managing the work of an Associate Performance Analyst to ensure that deadlines are met and quality maintained

For full information on the role and assessment process please refer to the candidate pack attached.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• You must be a member of the Government Statistical Group (GSG) or be willing to complete a Government Statistical Service (GSS) online multiple-choice test and dissemination exercise; and meet the criteria for the GSS set out below.  

         For GSS you will require one of the following: 

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

OR

• • A higher degree, e.g., an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Data Science, Psychology, Geography or similar). 
    
    Alternatively, you could apply if you: 
  • Have worked in a statistical or data science field for a minimum of two years and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) in applying statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five), which demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework. 
    OR 
  • Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data analysis (via a CPD logbook signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession). 
• You should also have relevant work experience in an analytical role or a relevant postgraduate qualification. This should demonstrate how you reach the Higher Statistical Officer level of the statistics Competency Framework. 
• Ability to present data clearly to a wide range of customers and suppliers in an appropriate format.  
• Experience in carrying out analysis, preferably using coding such as R or Python 
• Experience of producing Official Statistics or other statistical products for external users where trust, quality and value are important guiding principles and, in particular, publishing to deadlines and maintaining quality and communicating clearly about quality were expected.  
• Good line management skills including coaching other and supporting prioritisation of their workload. 
• Ability to examine statistical production processes; and to implement changes to make them more efficient.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,592, Planning Inspectorate contributes £9,645 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.

Application 

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section is an opportunity for you to detail your career history. It should outline the jobs you have done, the length of time you were employed within each role and a brief description of your role, responsibilities and duties which demonstrate relevance to the role you are applying for against the essential criteria. You must type, or ‘copy and paste’ into the text box called ‘Employment History’ within the online application. You cannot attach a copy of your CV.
• A Personal Statement (750 words max): The personal statement allows you to outline your suitability for the role in more depth, expanding on your CV evidence. It is an opportunity for you to provide evidence against the essential criteria listed within the candidate pack on the Person Specification page and link your answers to the listed Success Profile elements we are also assessing against .

We will assess your application on the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements detailed in the Person Specification in the candidate pack.

Once, you have submitted your full application: 

GSG members, you will be required to:    

• provide proof of membership to PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk  

Non GSG members, you will:    

• Be invited via email to complete the GSS online multiple-choice test.
• This is a timed test. You will have a week to complete the test once the vacancy has closed
• You are encouraged to try the practice 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

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview 

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour and technical questions

Candidates who are not already members of the GSG will be asked to analyse data and present at interview.          

Candidates who are successful at shortlist stage will be sent full assessment requirements with their interview invitations.

Other Information 

Non- GSG members’ online test date: 05 August – 11 August 2024

Shortlist Date: between 19 and 21 August 2024

Interview Date: between 28 and 30 August 2024

Interviews are currently being completed remotely using Microsoft Teams. We would like to reassure candidates that the virtual interview will not be recorded (or retained) within the Planning Inspectorate, other than usual interview protocol and in line with the Civil Service jobs Privacy notice.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification. 

The Planning Inspectorate is committed to finding the right person for the job. We recruit using Success Profiles and consider the criteria you will need to demonstrate to be successful for the role.

ID and Documents

If specific qualifications/memberships are essential for the role and you are successful, you will be asked to provide accurate scanned or photographed images of the qualifications/memberships that you listed on your application prior to your start date.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs.  If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person. 

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job. 

To be considered for an interview under the scheme you must:

• have a disability defined by the Equality Act 2010
• provide evidence in your application that you meet the minimum criteria in the job description
• meet all of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential

 

While we will endeavour to provide you with all the appropriate information, you are the expert on your specific requirements so if you require any adjustments, you should consider the information provided about the assessment process in the candidate pack and then:

• 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. The earlier and more clearly you tell us what you need and why you need it, the more likely we are to be able to accommodate you in a timely fashion.

 

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.