62878 - Senior Data Analyst

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.

Who are we?

The YJB is the public body which advises Ministers, including the Secretary of State for Justice on the youth justice system. Our ambition is to see a Child First youth justice system. A system which looks to children’s’ strengths and supports children to become the best version of themselves. To this effect we engage with a wide variety of organisations, partners and parties with an interest in youth justice, we share good practice, champion improvement and issue grants.

Our recruitment is based on merit, we welcome applications from all who can commit to our vision and values, we offer considerable flexibility in how you work and expect commitment and flexibility in return. We continue to strive for equality, diversity and inclusion in our culture and our staff group to this end we encourage applications from those people with traditional protected characteristics. Our staff are public servants, eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme and we are accredited by the Civil Service Commission.  This means applications from across Civil Service Departments, their agencies and Arms-Length Bodies are treated as internal applicants.  We also welcome applications from those who do not work in these bodies.

Our Vision

Working to ensure a youth justice system that sees children as children, treats them fairly and helps them to build on their strengths so they can make a constructive contribution to society. This will prevent offending and create safer communities with fewer victims.

Aims of the Youth Justice System

Prevention of offending by children and young people:

• To reduce the number of children in the youth justice system

• To reduce reoffending by children in the youth justice system

• To improve the safety and wellbeing of children in the youth justice system

To improve outcomes of children in the youth justice system

Summary

YJB is the only public body with oversight of the whole youth justice system. Research and evidence are key to our understanding of the youth justice landscape. This supports effective decision making, gives assurance to ministers that our advice has a solid evidence base and supports the achievement of our strategic objectives.

The Business Intelligence and Insights Directorate gathers and interprets information from a range of sources (including data, research, and wider intelligence). This information supports: the YJB’s oversight of the Youth Justice System (YJS), helps us to understand how the system is operating and whether it is achieving its aims, and helps to identify future opportunities and challenges for children and the YJS. The directorate leads the organisation in gathering, developing and using data and evidence well.

Job Description

As part of the Information & Analysis team you will have the opportunity to work on a National Statistic publication and be involved in creatively solving analytical problems and producing analytical products that can influence key decisions.

We need intellectually curious team members with R coding experience who have a proven record in the practical application of statistical analysis. Applicants should have good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex data/analysis to non-specialist colleagues and stakeholders.

You will:

• Plan design and develop proactive analysis to feed into cross-government decision-making

• Creatively solve analytical problems and produce analytical products that can influence key decisions

• Promote statistical best practice, ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics and related legislation.

• Produce summary reports/analysis for senior managers and presenting results to senior management and key stakeholders.

• Work closely with other teams across YJB, MoJ and OGD to fully exploit the potential of existing data sources and make decisions on which data are suitable for use and to aid with messaging

• Develop expertise on key topics

• Lead ad-hoc projects, bringing in team members and expertise to help deliver to tight timescales.

• Chair team meetings and deputise for Grade 7 during periods of leave

Be proactive in self-development to learn and apply cutting edge statistical techniques and assist in capability development of the team

All posts within the YJB operate flexibly to ensure the requirements of the business are met and as such you may be required to undertake other duties in their role or duties in other parts of the business at their grade to meet business priorities. You will expect to work within a matrix management approach often undertaking regular tasks alongside providing project support to wider programmes; you will be expected to take on corporate responsibilities in addition to your role.

• In carrying out your duties you will respect the YJBs commitment to equality of opportunity and the diversity of the YJB and its stakeholders.

• You will make sure you understand and adhere to your responsibilities in relation to health and safety and data protection.

Main Responsibilities

1. Creatively solve analytical problems and produce analytical products that can influence key decisions
2.  Manage the production of statistical outputs, including consulting with users and ensuring compliance with Office for Statistics Regulation requirements and that outputs/analysis are fit for purpose.
3. Assist the development, continual review and improvement of statistical outputs and processes, to meet the needs of internal and external users in an efficient and effective way and assessing future demand. This includes considering best use of digital technology in analysis and presentation in line with the strategy for the UK statistical system (Statistics for the Public Good).
4. Responsible for highly effective oral and written communications, including reports and submissions, using appropriate styles, methods and timing to translate complex data into clear and concise information for a wide range of audiences to maximise impact and understanding
5. Manage relationships with stakeholders in the youth justice system. The post holder will often have wide-ranging contacts at a similar or higher level both within and outside the YJB and they may represent the YJB externally and be involved in discussions with a range of external bodies and stakeholders.
6. Line manage, typically responsible for a team of 1-2 staff, ensuring individual performance objectives are aligned to the team’s work plan and organisational priorities, and quality management of the team’s work.

Essential skills

• Coding experience (able to manipulate and filter data) - preferably confident in R but other languages (eg SQL) will be considered if candidate can demonstrate an aptitude to code

• Experience and knowledge of both Power BI Desktop and Tableau to build/update dashboards, reports and datasets. 

• Strong quantitative analytical experience and skills, including a track record in the practical application of analysis with an in-depth knowledge of data sources and an ability to understand and interpret trends

• Ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment, especially in busy production periods

• Ability to manage/deliver on complex projects to deliver quality outcomes to deadlines, identifying risks and issues

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex analysis to non-specialists and contribute effectively to discussions with ministers, senior officials and external stakeholders

• Ability to deliver high impact analysis to tight deadlines, using forward planning to identify risks and issues

Desirable skills

• Experience of line managing and prioritising tasks in line with organisational objectives

• Experience of modelling data/regression analyses/Bayesian analyses

• Experience of working with large datasets

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Technical Skills, Abilities, Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. 

The assessment process will be made up of two parts:

1. Application

2. Interview  
   
   

Application

Please provide:

• A statement demonstrating in no more than 250 words the lead behaviour Seeing the Big Picture   

• A statement, no more than 1000 words, which sets out your suitability for the role. This should include how you meet the essential and desirable skills above and essential Technical and Ability criteria (outlined below).

Essential Criteria 

Technical:

1. Membership of (or willingness to obtain when in post) the GSG. Although encourage applications from anyone from analytical professions e.g. GSR, GORS, GESR to apply.

2. Technical skills as described in GAF Technical Skills and at the end of this job description.

Ability:

• Competent in R/SQL (experience in using statistical software).

• Proficient in MS Office suite, including advanced Excel skills.

• Working data visualisation skills in Power BI/Tableau.

Interview

The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions. The focus will be on:

• Government Analysis Function technical skills and behaviours

• Civil Service behaviors: Seeing the Big Picture (Lead), Communicating and Influencing, Managing a quality service

• Strengths as described in the Success Profiles (this is a very particular style of interview please make sure you make yourself aware of these in advance).

• A Government Analysis Function skills Further details on presentation will be provided prior to the interview.

Contact for information:

Rhian Manley (email: Rhian.Manley@yjb.gov.uk;   Phone: 07929712426)

Civil Service Behaviours: 

• Seeing the Big Picture (Lead)

Develop and maintain an understanding of economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to ensure activity is relevant. Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies. Adopt a government wide perspective to ensure alignment of activity and policy. Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities.

• Communicating and Influencing

Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand. Take into account people’s individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required. Consider the impact of the language used. Remain open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others. Introduce different methods for communication, including making the most of digital resources whilst getting value for money. Monitor the effectiveness of own and team communications and take action to improve where necessary.

• Managing a quality service

Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money. Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently. Involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements. Establish ways to find and respond to feedback from customers about the services provided.

Technical skills Summary

Government Analytical Function Data Analyst Key Skills:

• Logical and creative thinking skills - Practitioner

• Analytical and problem-solving skills – Practitioner

• Good IT and mathematical skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working - Practitioner

• Data Management – Practitioner

• Quality Assurance and validation and data linkage - Expert

• Ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations – Expert

• Data modelling, data cleansing and data enrichment techniques - Practitioner

• Statistical methods and data analysis – Practitioner

• Communicate insight – Practitioner

• Project Management - Practitioner