50444 - Justice Data Lab and Prison Safety Analysts , Analytical Priority Projects, DASD (4 posts available)

£36,049 - £47,591 Your salary will depend on your location
4
12 Months
London, National
London, National
102 PETTY FRANCE (MOJ) LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, NATIONAL
SEO
SEO
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Economics, Operational Research, Statistics, Analytical, Social Research

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview

We are looking to recruit 4 permanent roles in our Prison Safety and Environmental Surveillance (PSES) and Justice Data Lab (JDL) teams to provide analytical support to priority projects in the Ministry of Justice.

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

The post is open to 

  • Existing analysts from all analytical professions (GSS, GES, GORS, GSR) on level transfer and other eligible staff on promotion.Candidates must meet the relevant government service professional requirements for their respective profession, if applicable. 
  • Other candidates that are not members of GSS, GES, GORS, GSR profession but possess and can demonstrate similar experience at SEO level and ability meet the profession eligibility criteria. Badging opportunities will be available (for GSS, GORS and GSR) once in post for those who wish to apply. Please note that depending on your preferred profession, extra assessment may be required at interview stage.

Interviews are likely to take place in early January 2022 and will be held via MS Teams.  We will keep a merit list for a year for those who successfully pass the interview board but who are not offered a post. 

The Prison Safety role is based nationally with options of the Leeds or London HQ office, whilst the JDL roles are based at 102 Petty France in London, although flexible working arrangements are available for all roles.

About the role

We’re recruiting in two teams: 1 role in the Prison Safety and Environmental Surveillance (PSES) team and 3 roles in the Justice Data Lab (JDL).

The Prison Safety and Environmental Surveillance (PSES) team work on projects that build understanding of issues around violence and self-harm, and recently also focusing on COVID-19.  We focus on the key questions raised by our stakeholders across MoJ and HMPPS and use innovative analysis to answer them.

Key responsibilities include innovative analytical project work to inform improvements to safety and security in prisons. Projects have included:

  • Analytical deep dives focussed on violence in prisons – this builds our understanding of the drivers of violence in prisons and where protective effects may be present.
  • Understanding and modelling violence in specific prisons.
  • Using multivariate modelling techniques to describe the different types of prisoners with a history of self-harm.
  • Development of interactive dashboards which document and compare violence and self-harm levels to changing prison regimes following COIVD-19 lockdowns.

In addition, it covers innovative analytical work to aid operational decisions and cross-government policy on COVID-19. Projects have included:

  • The development of a dashboard for tracking vaccination roll-out across the prison estate and providing regular inter-departmental updates on prison populations to aid vaccination strategy.
  • Development of a monitoring system to track observed incidence of COVID-19 and provide an early indication of possible outbreaks, using a reproducible analytical approach to update reports daily.
  • Analytical support of a multi-agency wastewater epidemiology project which is exploring the potential for early detection of outbreaks in prisons, and involves working closely with other government departments, industry and academia.

The Justice data Lab (JDL) helps provide evidence on what works to achieve reducing reoffending, a key priority of the MoJ. You’ll lead evaluations of rehabilitative interventions to assess whether they significantly reduce reoffending among participants, in comparison to a control group. You will undertake a lead analytical role, developing methods to produce high quality impact evaluations to assess the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the interventions provided to offenders, including a suite of accredited offender behaviour programmes.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Leading and managing evaluations of rehabilitative interventions which are based in prison or the community. This will include liaising directly with operational colleagues and external providers on all aspects of data collection and interpretation of results to a non-technical audience.
  • Regular use of data linking, propensity score matching (including logistic regression) and significance testing, mainly using R and SQL.
  • Working within the team to identify improvements to existing process and methodology, working across other analytical teams to share key lessons. In particular, the team works to both streamline the R code used across all projects and to use data science techniques to fully utilise previous results.
  • Taking the lead in working with colleagues across Analytical Services to develop an evaluation strategy that meets users’ needs.
  • You will need to work closely with operational, policy and other analytical colleagues to develop a work programme that complements the accreditation process by providing high quality impact evaluations to support advice and recommendations of the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advisory panel (CSAAP)

Person specification

We’re interested in people who have or can develop:

  • Strong quantitative analytical skills including being adept at analysing and manipulating large scale datasets, as well as statistical analysis techniques suitable for impact evaluation (e.g. propensity score matching).
  • Experience in coding for analysis, for example in R.
  • Ability to clearly communicate and present key insights to non-technical audiences. 
  • Ability to engage and collaborate with a range of customers and stakeholders.
  • Strong skills in problem-structuring and solving.
  • The ability to deliver at pace.

Analytical Priority Projects (APP)

The Analytical Priority Projects (APP) is a multi-disciplinary unit of around 100 staff which sits at the heart of the Data and Analytical Services Directorate (DASD) in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We provide analytical support across a diverse and exciting range of priority projects, helping the department to deliver its highest priorities.  We do this by delivering varied analytical projects to the highest standards. The types of analysis we currently do in APP include research, trials, evaluations, options appraisal and business cases.

This is a particularly exciting time to join the Unit as it is undergoing an expansion and refreshing our delivery model in order to ensure MoJ is resourced to deliver its policy priorities.

 

Selection process details

Competency details

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework on the following behaviours This should be no more than 250 words for each behaviour and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role.:

 

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Changing and Improving

 

Professional Competencies

As well as the three civil service behaviours stated above, you are also asked to provide written evidence of your professional competence.

 

Professional Competency: Knowledge & Skills:

This is a highly quantitative post. Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at SEO level, with a maximum of 500 words. Please note: if you are not a badged member of a government profession, please refer to Data analysis in the GSS competency framework, see link below:

 

  • GSS – Data analysis
  • GSR - Knowledge of research and analytical methodologies and ability to demonstrate practical application of quantitative approaches
  • GORS - Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques.
  • GES - Analysis of data.

 

For more information regarding the professional competency please refer to the analytical profession internet links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MoJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MoJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

 

Government Statistical Service (GSS): Further information, including a user guide, can be found within the link below:

GSS Competency Framework

Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below:

GSR Competency Framework   

Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:

GORS Competencies

Government Economic Service (GES): Further information can be found within the link below:

GES Professional Standards 2013

 

Applicants invited for Interview

At the interview we will be asked to give a five-minute presentation on a project you have delivered. Details of the presentation will be sent to candidates before the interview.

 

For Further Information

If you have any queries about the role or application process, or wish to discuss, please contact Darren Churchward (Darren.Churchward@justice.gov.uk) or Annie Sorbie (Annie.Sorbie@justice.gov.uk) or Lucy Cuppleditch (Lucy.Cuppleditch@justice.gov.uk)

Working Arrangements & Further Information

For nationally advertised campaigns, candidates will be appointed to their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) on the completion of pre-employment checks.

The national salary range is £36,049 - £41,095, London salary range is £41,747- £47.591 Your salary will be dependent on your base location

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

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

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.

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.

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 moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on UKor Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Interviews are likely to take place in early January 2022

10/12/2021, 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@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference 47894.

For Further Information

If you have any queries about the role or application process, or wish to discuss, please contact Darren Churchward (Darren.Churchward@justice.gov.uk) or Annie Sorbie (Annie.Sorbie@justice.gov.uk) or Lucy Cuppleditch (Lucy.Cuppleditch@justice.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.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

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

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

Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Changing and Improving - 250 word limit
Experience
Are you a member of a civil service analytical profession? Please answer in one word: GORS, GSS, GSR or GES. If you do not belong to a profession, please make this clear and indicate which one you would like to join (GORS, GSS or GSR), should you be successful at interview. - 250 word limit
Technical Skills
Professional Competency: Knowledge & Skills - 500 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Changing and Improving
Technical Skills
Professional Competency: Knowledge & Skills
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

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.