About the job

Job summary

The Government’s Levelling Up agenda is a top domestic priority, tackling the issue that people across the UK experience very different opportunities and outcomes, depending on where they live. This is an opportunity to show analytical leadership at the centre of this work, enhancing the teams use of visualisations, data pipelines and data science techniques.

Job description

In this role, we are looking for a candidate that can enhance our ability to produce high quality, robust and dynamic analysis to inform policy. For example, this will likely include supporting the team to make greater use of code-based visualisations, more sophisticated data science techniques, and reproduceable analytical pipelines. The role will involve a combination of individual analytical outputs and responsibilities, and playing a leadership role to build the technical capabilities of the team. 

This role also involves significant collaboration with the DLUHC Spatial Data Unit, a new unit of very technical data scientists, as well as expert spatial analysts across Whitehall, in think tanks and from academia.

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of an inclusive, welcoming team that is delivering the Government’s top priority, and working to create real change for communities and places all across the UK.

We are looking to create a team that is keen to look outside of Whitehall and be creative, forward thinking and inclusive in their approach, and we welcome applicants with diverse experiences, backgrounds and characteristics.

In DLUHC, we have a small but growing OR community and together we strive to provide great impact with OR in the department.  We have strong networks across the community to enable us to better share knowledge and skills and have a strong focus on developing more tailored OR L&D opportunities.  We encourage all ORs to look for opportunities to utilise and develop their technical skillsets.  There will be opportunities for you to draw upon wider expertise within the department and to ‘buddy’ up with senior ORs.  We will also support you in developing your networks across the wider GORS community.

The successful candidate will have a varied role, which will include:

• Undertaking place-based analysis across our wide policy programme to ensure that place specific challenges and opportunities are understood and central to proposed policy interventions.
• Building capability in the team by improving existing process and practices as well as using more advanced tools and techniques to enhance the maturity of the analysis produced.
• Conducting statistical analysis on bespoke questions to provide deeper understanding of subnational disparities.
• Recommend ways to improve the quality of our outputs and the team’s awareness of the wider data science landscape and emerging technologies.
• Close working with core clients both within and outside of HMG.
• Updating DLUHC Ministers and senior officials on developments on a regular basis.
• Supporting general levelling up strategy functions including the running of the Inter-Ministerial Group and Levelling Up Advisory Council.

Person specification

The following experience and skills will be required:

• A proven track record of building capability within analytical teams by improving existing process and practices as well as introducing more advanced tools and techniques. (Lead criterion)
• Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques and an aptitude for interpreting and disseminating analytical findings, particularly to non-analysts.
• Experience of coding in at least one statistical/mathematical programme (R is preferred).
• Strong data visualisation skills combined with experience of communicating insights with a range of different stakeholders to influence people and decision making and drive positive action.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience in co-ordinating and driving work across multiple teams and/or departments.

The following experience and skills are desirable:

• Experience of using innovative platforms for data visualisation such as R Shiny or Power BI.
• Experience of adopting data science techniques to drive insight and decision making.
• Experience of conducting statistical analysis and visualisation on spatial data to deliver insights, including creating maps.
• Experience of working across organisations on complex issues and engaging with external stakeholders such as academics and think tanks.

In order to apply for this position, you must either be a badged member of the GORS profession OR be eligible to become a member of the GORS profession. Please note, in order to be eligible to become a member of the relevant profession, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria set out on page 6 of the 'Guide for Analytical candidates'. We strongly recommend you read this prior to applying as you will be asked which profession you are eligible for during the application process.

Analysts in DLUHC must be affiliated to a Government analytical profession.  

Stage 1: Filter and eligibility questions, entry tests 

Candidates who successfully pass the initial filter and eligibility questions will be asked to confirm which of the analytical professions they belong to or are applying to be part of.  This information will be used to progress successful applications to the appropriate professional checks element of the process.  

Existing civil servants who are currently a member of one of these professions will retain their professional membership in this role.  Applicants on promotion will be assessed for promotion within their profession as part of the selection process.  Please make any current affiliation clear in your application.  

External candidates or civil servants without a current profession affiliation may be considered for accreditation to one of the professions as part of the recruitment process.  If you are not currently a member of a government analytical profession you will be put through the membership process for your chosen profession as part of this application.  You must pass the membership process for your application to be successful.  If you do not pass the relevant profession entry test your application will not be taken further.  See the Guide for Analytical Candidates document for more details of the membership process for the relevant profession.  

You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview. 

Please refer to the Guide for Analytical Candidates which provides: 

1 - The technical competences for each analytical profession 

2 - details of the entry requirements to each analytical profession 

3 – details of the entry process for each analytical profession 

Entry Qualifications 

The entry qualifications are listed below.  Please list FULL details of your degree in your application form. 

Government Operational Research Service (GORS): 

2:1 in a numerate degree (the rule of thumb is that at least 50% of the studied modules must have mathematical content). 

Applicants with a 2:2 degree may be accepted but they must show wider skills and experience relevant to Government OR.  For instance, a Masters qualification in OR would be considered sufficient evidence of the wider skills and experience that we are looking for. 

Competencies 

You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview. 

Professional technical competences are listed below: 

Operational Research competences 

Operational research: Sustaining and developing operational research professionals and professionalism 

Operational research: Knowledge and application of operational research skills 

Operational research: Achieving impact with analysis 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,679, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities contributes £10,457 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 Technical skills.

We are for everyone 

At DLUHC we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We promote equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. 

We would strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with the vacancy manager to find out more information about this role.  

We are for everyone 

DLUHC want to bring in a diverse workforce at all levels.  

Our application system is designed to remove as much bias as possible from the recruitment system – this means that a hiring manager does not know your name, your details, see your whole application in one go (or have your CV at review stage unless stated otherwise).  

At application stage you will be asked to upload a CV document. Unless stated otherwise in the advert, your CV will not form part of the assessment but will be used for information purposes and only shared with the panel at interview stage. 

Your answers are randomised and chunked up. This means that each assessor views sets of responses to questions for example all candidates’ responses to ‘Seeing the Big Picture’ rather than seeing a candidate’s full application. The science behind this is that recruitment can be subject to ordering and fatigue effects and we want to reduce this as much as possible.  

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors. 

When writing your application, remember: 

• The assessor won’t be reading your answers sequentially.  
• Do not assume that the same assessors will have read all of your answers.  
• If talking about something in your first answer, make sure that you write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!) 

 

At sift, we will be assessing 

Behaviour 1 (lead behaviour) - Changing and Improving

Behaviour 2 - Leadership

Behaviour 3 - Working Together

Technical - Please outline evidence of your knowledge and application of Operational Research skills, you may also include other relevant technical skills and experience that make you suitable for this role as set out in the job description

There is a 250 word limit per question. 

 

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of the following success profiles elements:    

Behaviour – Leadership, Working Together

Technical - Technical questions will be based on the analytical competences as listed in the advert

Candidates invited to interview will be expected to complete an oral briefing exercise as part of the interview process.  The oral-briefing exercise is designed to simulate aspects of the job to be performed and provide a second basis for assessing the behaviours and competencies required in the job. 

The oral briefing is usually part of the professional requirements as government analytical professions require an oral briefing as part of the entry or promotion process.  The briefing will take one of the following forms: 

1.  A prepared on the day presentation to the interview panel which will be followed by questions from the panel.  You will be provided with all the information to use for your presentation on the day of your interview.  You will be given up to 45 minutes to read this information and prepare your presentation. 

OR 

1.  You will be provided with a question in advance of the interview and asked to prepare a presentation of a specific length addressing this question.  This presentation will be followed by questions from the panel. 

Candidates invited to interview will be given full instructions on the presentation being used. 

The presentation will be followed by a 45 minute competency based interview. 

Candidates who are not members of a government analytical profession may also need to pass an entry test for their profession as part of the selection process. 

 

In the full campaign we will test the below Success Profile Elements: 

Behaviours:  Changing and Improving, Leadership, Working Together

Technical: Technical questions will be based on the competences as listed in the advert

We do not consider direct CV applications to our Recruitment mailbox – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs 

Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign. 

 

SEO Senior Research Officer

• The salary for this role will be £45,813 (London) or £41,679 (National). 
• For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable. If you apply for a role that requires a transfer of location, for example if you are transferring from London to a National location, your salary will be adjusted in accordance with our policy on transfer between HQ pay ranges. 
• In order to receive this specialist pay band, you must be fully qualified and in a qualifying post as agreed by the Head of Profession. 

 
Please note that the average employer pension contribution is based upon the National minimum salary for this role. Should your agreed starting salary for this role be different, the average employer pension contribution will be calculated accordingly. If you are a Secondee, this will not apply as you will remain on your home organisation’s terms and conditions.   

 

BENEFITS: 

Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018: 
Any move to DLUHC 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 

For further information about the benefits available to DLUHC employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack. 

  

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: 

• London 
• Wolverhampton 
• Manchester
• Darlington* 

There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role. 

*Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service.  

For further information on the DEC, please take a look at the attached DEC candidate pack. 

 

SIFT AND INTERVIEW DATES: 

Sifting is envisaged to take place from 05/02/2024 with interview dates to be confirmed. All interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. 

Reserve List 
 
In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details in a reserve list for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact recruitment@levellingup.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list. 

 

CTC (Counter-terrorism Clearance): 

Important note 

Successful candidates for roles based in our 2 Marsham Street building must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete. 
 
Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Please refer to the DLUHC Notes on Security Clearance section of our Candidate Pack for further information on Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC). Thank you. 
 
Candidates should also note that with effect from 1st August 2018 the department will also check all applicants who are successful at interview, against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) held by the Cabinet Office. In accordance with the Civil Service Internal Fraud Policy, any applicant who is included on the IFD will be refused employment by DLUHC. Please see the Candidate Pack for further information on the Internal Fraud Database. 

 

Candidate Pack Information 

Please see attached Candidate pack for further information. 

Before starting your application it’s very important to make sure that you are eligible to apply and meet the Civil Service nationality requirements. All candidates are expected to read the information provided in the DLUHC candidate pack regarding nationality requirements and rules 

 

Internal Fraud Database 

The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned. The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to DLUHC as a participating government organisations. DLUHC then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented.  

For more information please see- Internal Fraud Register 

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.