13691 - Analyst
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.
This post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute towards the Ombudsman’s learning lessons agenda 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 survey research and of working with quantitative-focused statistical packages to undertake data analysis, though applicants with broader experience (e.g. qualitative fieldwork, evaluation)/ mixed methods researchers are welcome. 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 (see overleaf for more details of requirements on skills and experience).
The post holder will be responsible for the following:
Thematic reports
- Help identify and scope research topics as part of our regular planning cycle
- Analyse PPO investigation evidence (case files) and research databases to produce learning and recommendations for services in remit
- Write research reports and bulletins (lead author), include appropriate data visualisations
- Help disseminate findings to staff and stakeholders (e.g. at seminars or conferences)
Stakeholder feedback
- Manage PPO stakeholder feedback surveys (various recipients) (includes monitoring response rates and data entry)
- Contribute to discussions on survey methodology (sampling and weighting) and research tool design
- Set up & analyse SPSS datasets of responses
- Write reports of findings & comparison with previous years
- Disseminate findings to internal stakeholders
General analytical support
- Produce management information for monthly performance management meetings (includes collating, checking and cleaning data, preparing tables)
- Provide analytical support for annual reporting cycle
- Provide briefings & data for managers for liaison with stakeholders/ external presentations
- Respond to Freedom of Information and other external data/ information requests
- Contribute to other work streams in the office as required
- Other tasks requiring analytical skill set as required
Table 1: summary of post holder requirements
Experience
Essential
- Desk based analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Survey research.
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
- Experience of working with statistical packages
- Excel (intermediate skills minimum).
- Report writing.
Desirable
- Excellent SPSS skills (or similar software where skills are transferrable).
- Strong time management.
Other
Essential
- Undergraduate social sciences degree with research methods component (2:1. minimum award), OR a 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
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 salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- 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.
27/11/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 27th November 2017 at 23:55 hours
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference.
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.
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
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.