About the job

Job summary

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.  

The Export Control and Sanctions (EC&S) Directorate is based in DBT and brings together operational and policy expertise from DBT with advisory teams from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. We regulate military and other sensitive exports such as dual-use items. This is done through a licensing system, ensuring UK exports are consistent with our national and international obligations and standards. We also own the policy on international trade sanctions.  

This role is located within this data and statistics team within EC&S. EC&S is presently undergoing a digital transformation programme, which brings with it significant potential business benefits, however it is a complicated and challenging area. As part of this programme, we are currently transitioning from the existing export control licencing platform (SPIRE) to a new platform (LITE), with both platforms currently in a period of dual running.  

As the senior export control analyst, you will be responsible for leading on managing any data and analysis related impact of dual running through working closely with the LITE project team. The role offers a great opportunity for those looking for experience of analysing and disseminating data in a high-profile policy area by working closely with policy and operational teams to maximise our ability to use data to support evidence-based policy development and operational service delivery, whilst ensuring we can continue to operate one of the most transparent licensing regimes in the world.  

You will need to be a proactive self-starter, well organised and work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders. It is a challenging role that offers an opportunity to learn new skills.  

Job description

Reporting directly to the Grade 7 Head of Data, you will lead on managing any data and analysis related impact within EC&S resulting from transitioning from the legacy licencing system (SPIRE) to the new platform (LITE). 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Working with the LITE project to identify, support and manage any data and analysis related impacts, ensuring dual running of the two systems alongside one another. 
• Supporting the LITE data architect to review existing LITE data, ensuring LITE data aligns with DBT’s standards, i.e. is readily available, robust, fit for purpose and documented.  
• Capturing data and analytical requirements from the team and wider policy and operational colleagues within EC&S and providing these to the LITE project, ensuring they are prioritised, developed and delivered to specification. 
• Identify the data and analytical requirements that can be delivered within the team using existing LITE data and functionality and then delivering these by using innovative technologies and techniques (e.g. data dashboarding tools). 
• Represent EC&S data interests on LITE Data and MI working group and the LITE project board.  
• Providing analytical support to the LITE project. 
• Working with policy and operational colleagues to use data to underpin performance and service improvements by identifying and understanding how the operation of the unit could be made more efficient. 
• Modernising the production processes for internal data related commissions to ensure we can seamlessly provide an overview of the entire licensing system, irrespective of the platform.  
• Modernising the production processes for our transparency products (e.g. quarterly official statistics) to ensure we can seamlessly publish in a consistent, comparable format across the 2 platforms, ensuring we can continue to operate one of the most transparent licensing regimes in the world. 
• Cleansing and analysing large datasets using analytical software packages (Excel, R, SQL).   

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

• Must be an existing member of the Government Statistical Group (GSG) or be willing to become badged as part of the application process. 
• Experience of statistical methods and applying them in an operational / policy context. The teams use a range of packages, most notably SQL and R; experience with these or the ability to learn quickly will be essential. 
• Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills; with the ability to present data and statistics and their caveats and limitations to analytical and non-analytical audiences (policy officials and external stakeholders) verbally and in writing.  
• The ability to manage/prioritise a large and varied workload, take decisions under pressure on own initiative and meet challenging deadlines (setting and adjusting competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of producing and publishing official statistics. 
• Experience of producing management information to support operational / policy requirements.  

Personal Attributes & Skills 

• Ability to take a collaborative and supportive approach to your work and when dealing with teams across the directorate, department and wider government.   
• Comfortable working at pace and inclusively with teams and at all levels across DBT.    
• Ability to work independently and confident working in ambiguous, complex, and uncertain environments.   
• An ability to independently lead analytical projects in a complex environment to a conclusion with tangible results, with the ability to apply project management techniques. 
• Strong engagement, facilitation and communication skills and confidence in questioning and challenging when needed.   
• This role requires you to be a full member of the Government Statisticians Group (GSG) or willing to undergo a test to become a badged member of the GSG. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,633 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.

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 500 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, technical skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.    

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.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.   

How We Interview

Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG), will be required to do an online GSS test. 

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 the minimum qualifications/experience detailed here. 

Applicants who will be badged into the profession will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written “knowledge test”. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MS Teams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge. .

Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting these tests. To prevent your application being rejected please email resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk as soon as you submit an application to notify us, please include the campaign number in the email title and your membership number. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team. 

There will be a technical element within the interview where you will be asked questions about your specific professional skills and knowledge relating directly to the job role. 

Detailed explanations of each Technical Skill can be found on the Government Statistician Group competency framework Here 

Location and Working Arrangements

This role is available in seven UK locations and can only be worked from within the UK, not overseas.Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DBT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.   

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.    

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.

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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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.