Probation and Reduced Reoffending Analysis Analysts (Ref: 22430)

Job summary

Job description

Do you have the passion, values, and ability to help us solve the biggest problems of the justice system?

6x HEO Analytical roles in Probation and Reduced Reoffending Analysis (Ministry of Justice)

1. Overview

We have up to six permanent HEO roles in Probation and Reduced Reoffending Analysis, an embedded analytical function within the Probation and Reduced Reoffending policy Directorate. This is an exciting time to join the team in a fast-paced and fascinating policy area that regularly attracts public, Parliamentary, and Ministerial interest. Our work both for offenders in the community and within prison, is critical to improving rehabilitation and reducing the chances of reoffending.

As a Directorate, we make a real difference: our policy has a tangible impact on the services provided for people who come into contact with the criminal justice system, whether that’s at court, in custody or in the community. This is a big part of why we’re so engaged in the work we do.

Reoffending is one of the big social policy challenges of our time. 80% of offenders are reoffenders and reoffending is estimated to cost society £23 billion a year (adjusted to 24/25 prices). The Reducing Reoffending Policy division leads work across Government to address the factors that can help to rehabilitate and improve outcomes for people in the criminal justice system, for example through providing access to mental health support and substance misuse treatment; securing accommodation; and helping them find employment.

Roles are open to:

1. Existing badged analysts from all professions (GORS/GSS/GSR/GES) either on level transfer or on promotion.
   
   
2. Other candidates that are not members of GSS, GORS, GSR, professions but possess and can demonstrate similar experience at the appropriate level. Badging opportunities will be available once in post for those who wish to apply.

Specialist allowance

Due to the role(s) being analytical, those successful in recruitment will be eligible for a specialist allowance following an analytical interview based on the following values:

• HEO London: £1000
• HEO National: £1500

Minimum requirements to apply:

Candidates must be able to show the relevant experience and skills and must meet the criteria for entry:

HEO grade – must meet at least one of the following:

1. You possess a numerate degree or a degree that has an analytical, statistical or research element, with a 2:2 or above, or as a higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD).
   
   
2. Alternatively, you have significant experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills (outside of a part-completed Civil Service degree apprenticeship).

We welcome applications from candidates based across the UK. Candidates will have the option of being based in the Leeds or London HQ offices (with flexible working arrangements available) or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office: see this map for more details.

Alternative locations may be available and will be discussed and agreed on the completion of background checks.

Interviews are likely to take place in October 2026 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.

1. About Probation and Reduced Reoffending Analysis

Probation and Reducing Reoffending Analysis (PRRA) is an analytical function within the Probation and Reducing Reoffending Directorate. PRRA provides high-quality evidence, research, evaluation, data and analysis to support policy, operational and strategic decision-making across probation services and reducing reoffending interventions. The team's work helps the department understand what works to reduce reoffending, improve rehabilitation outcomes and deliver effective services for people in contact with the criminal justice system.

PRRA is a multidisciplinary analytical community comprising over 80 analysts including social researchers, statisticians, operational researchers, economists, data scientists and data engineers. The function is organised across five analytical areas: Probation Analysis, Health Employment Drugs Research and Analysis, Accommodation and Justice Data Lab Analysis, and Offending Behaviour Interventions Evidence. Together, these teams deliver a broad programme of monitoring, performance reporting, economic analysis, research and evaluation, supporting priorities such as probation delivery, accommodation, health and substance misuse, employment and education, accredited programmes, and wider reducing reoffending policy.

Our work is highly visible and frequently informs decisions made by ministers, senior leaders and operational partners across the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS and wider government. We work in a fast-paced environment where robust evidence, analytical innovation and collaboration are at the heart of improving outcomes and reducing crime

1. What you’ll do

Health Employment Drugs Research and Analysis x 2

The postholder will sit within the G7 led Drugs and Offender Health Research team and support the development of evidence on substance misuse and offender health interventions. The postholder will lead and contribute to research and evaluation projects across a varied portfolio, including drug testing in prisons, wastewater monitoring, recovery-focused prison environments, medication to manage problematic sexual arousal, and the department’s contribution to the cross-government Drug Strategy. Working closely with policy, operational and external stakeholders, the role involves commissioning and managing research, undertaking analysis, providing evidence-based advice, and communicating findings to support decision-making across MoJ and partner organisations.

The postholder will sit within the G7 led Employment Research team, supporting the development of evidence on offender employment outcomes and evaluation of ongoing interventions to support offenders into employment post release from custody. Analytical work includes conducting qualitative interviews with senior stakeholders, HMPPS staff, prisoners, and people on probation, alongside analysis and synthesis of different evidence types (e.g. administrative, survey, quantitative data). Working closely with policy, operational and external stakeholders, the role involves commissioning and managing research, undertaking analysis, providing evidence-based advice, and communicating findings to support decision-making across MoJ and partner organisations.

Reducing Reoffending Priority Projects Analysis (HEO)

The postholder will sit within the G7 led Reoffending, Evidence, Coordination and Analysis Project (RECAP) team and will support on cross cutting and priority projects building our evidence base on what works to reduce reoffending. Main activities will involve: supporting on the scoping planning, and delivering a mixture of short and long-term commissioned analytical projects in-house, developing and maintaining productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including analytical, policy and operational colleagues to advise on robust and proportionate approaches to using data and analysis, and effectively communicating complex analysis to technical an