28358 - Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Data Analyst (Operational Researcher)

£33,428 - £41,485
1
12 Months
London
London
10 SOUTH COLONNADE LONDON, E14 4PU
HEO
Cb
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Flexible Working
Analytical

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman – Data Analyst (Operational Researcher) recruitment

Overview

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) is an Arms Length Body (ALB) of the Ministry of Justice. We have two key functions:

  • to investigate complaints made by prisoners, young people in detention, offenders under probation supervision and immigration detainees; and
  • to investigate deaths of prisoners, young people in detention, approved premises’ residents and immigration detainees.

The PPO analytical team ‘Learning Lessons’ was set up to undertake collective analysis of PPO investigation evidence. The team has been vital in moving the PPO beyond focusing on learning from individual cases to being able to identify themes and patterns in our evidence base. This analytical work has enabled the PPO to contribute to the conversation on a wide range of issues affecting the services in our remit. Our bulletins and thematic reports – our most ‘visible’ analytical output – are available to view on our website.

The team is made up of 3 Analysts (2 Social Researchers and 1 Data Analyst) and a Research Assistant. All 4 posts currently report directly to the Head of Learning Lessons and Strategic Support.

This permanent Data Analyst is a new post and offers an exciting opportunity to contribute towards the Ombudsman’s learning lessons agenda and the new strategic plan. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated member of the team that will thrive working in this changing environment and represents a great entry point to the Civil Service for someone with existing research experience from the public, private or voluntary sectors. It would suit someone with experience of working with quantitative-focused statistical packages to undertake data analysis, and with strong data management and IT skills. Strong time management is important given the variety of work the post holder would need to do in our small but busy team.

Previous experience of the Criminal Justice System is preferable but not essential.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is based at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, E14 4PU (10SC). We pride ourselves in embracing Smarter Working and offer up to 2 days a week working from home or a commuter hub. You will therefore be expected to attend 10SC for 3 days of the week if working full time. We run a flexible working scheme and encourage all staff to enjoy a healthy work / life balance.

If you have any queries about the role, or wish to discuss, please contact Dan Crockford, Head of Strategic Support, at daniel.crockford@ppo.gov.uk.

Job Description – Band Cb Analyst

The post holder will be responsible for the following:

Data Analyst responsibilities

  • Operational and statistical analysis of PPO and external data sources (including annual report statistics)
  • Oversight and QA of databases (PPO case management system and other internal databases)
  • Identifying and leading on improvements in capturing information
  • Data protection lead
  • Applying statistical techniques and tools to PPO case management data
  • Preparing management information and offer guidance on using this effectively
  • Supporting the Senior Leadership Team with performance monitoring across the Fatal Incidents and Complaints teams.

Shared responsibilities

  • Respond to Freedom of Information and other external data/ information requests
  • Reviewing our fact form design and implementing future improvement
  • Other tasks requiring analytical skill set as required across all PPO teams

Table 1: summary of post holder requirements

Experience

Experience of a range of analysis and data processing tools and techniques

Desirable

Qualitative fieldwork delivery.

Project management of research or analytical projects.

Project or programme evaluation.

Criminal justice sector research or analysis.

Criminal justice sector – operational role/s.

Technical & other skills

Essential

Data management and advanced Excel and other IT skills Programming and data basing skills, including R, Python and SPSS Report writing.

 Desirable

Strong time management.

Other

Essential

A degree or higher degree in an analytical numerate degree (minimum 2:1) such as maths or economics which included statistics training PLUS relevant research/analytical work experience

Awareness of relevant industry standards e.g. data protection and research ethics.

Desirable

Member of a relevant professional body – e.g. Government Social Research Service (GSR), the Government Statistical Service (GSS) or the Government Operational Research Service (GORS). Alternatively, for external applicants – Social Research Association, UK Evaluation Society. or similar

Civil service competencies

You will be required to provide evidence of the following Competencies:

Making Effective Decisions

  • Make decisions when they are needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular
  • Identify a range of relevant and credible information sources and recognise the need to collect new data when necessary from internal and external sources
  • Recognise patterns and trends in a range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions

Collaborating and Partnering

  • Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes
  • Invest time to generate a common focus and genuine team spirit
  • Actively seek input from a diverse range of people

Managing a quality service

  • Make effective use of project management skills and techniques to deliver outcomes, identifying risks and mitigating actions
  • Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and service standards to provide quality, efficiency and value for money
  • Establish mechanisms to seek out and respond to feedback from customers about service provided

Delivering at pace

  • Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard, giving credit to teams and individuals as appropriate
  • Plan ahead but reassess workloads and priorities if situations change or people are facing conflicting demands
  • Regularly monitor own and team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift of the first competence will take place. We expect the initial sift to take up to 2 months so please be patient when waiting to hear whether you have been successful to attend interview.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits,retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

19/08/2019, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote job reference.

If you require any assistance please contact the head of recruitment at daniel.crockford@ppo.gov.uk

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Candidate Information

You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:


  • An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
  • A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.

During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.



if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance
Making Effective Decisions
Collaborating and Partnering
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Please see the job description for minimum qualification requirements.

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

There are 2 interview stages for this vacancy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.