Higher Education Analysis HEO

Job summary

IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Verbal test. The deadline for completing the test is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the test with sufficient time to complete the written application.

Higher Education Analysis (HEA) Division are recruiting an HEO analyst to carry out exciting, high-profile work that will make a real difference to the higher education (HE) sector. The division provides a full range of analytical services, covering all DfE’s HE activity. We work to ensure that HE delivers better outcomes and value for students, employers and the taxpayer.

The role sits within the Higher Education Statistics and Research Unit (HESRU). The unit’s work includes producing key statistics on trends within the sector alongside original analysis and research to inform policy development and evaluation.

The HE policy area involves billions of pounds of government spending and is high-profile, attracting significant media and ministerial interest. This role is an excellent opportunity for individuals with backgrounds in data, analysis, and research to join our team and strengthen our approach to analysis and insight in DfE Higher Education.

Job description

We are recruiting for an inquisitive, delivery-focussed analyst to join our team. We are looking for candidates with a track record of delivering analytical solutions that have a real impact, whilst working collaboratively with others to ensure the right analytical solution is delivered in an effective and efficient way.

The role provides opportunities to get involved with the full range of analytical activity provided by a policy-facing division including data management and analysis, statistical analysis, complex modelling, communicating results to senior officials and ministers, and data science approaches. The successful candidate will utilise a wide range of data and information to drive evidence-based decisions to improve the HE sector.

In HE analysis, we take a people-centric approach to ensuring that we can provide high-quality evidence and analysis. We take pride in developing our analysts, providing coaching, mentoring, learning and development tailored to the individual.

The role is available in the HE Provider and Participation Statistics team, within HESRU. The team produces official DfE statistics, leads on key HE data sources, works closely with internal and external stakeholders, and provides policy analysis to support ministerial priorities and strengthen the HE evidence base. The successful candidate will support on all aspects of this work, developing expertise across all HE data and evidence sources.

The team publishes the Higher Level Learners in England statistical publication, which combines multiple data sources to present comprehensive statistics on HE learners in England. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to support the production of this release.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in the team to:

• Develop expertise in HE and wider education data, particularly the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data that the team leads on, alongside the Individualised Learner Record and the National Pupil Database
• Build strong working relationships with both external partners (including Jisc and the Office for Students) and internal partners (including fellow analysts and policy colleagues)
• Produce original analysis to support policy development and evaluation, in line with ministerial priorities and to support the HE evidence base
• Produce the team’s Official Statistics publication, Higher Level Learners in England

The role is open to:

• Analysts from the Government Statistical Service (GSS), Government Social Research (GSR), Government Economics Service (GES), Government Operational Research Service (GORS).
• Candidates who hold a first, or upper second-class degree with at least 50% base in mathematics, statistics, economics or social research methods (if not already a badged analyst)

Please note: Although badging is not offered as part of the interview, successful applicants will be expected to apply for badging within the first 12 months of their role. Opportunities to get badged into an analytical profession regularly arise throughout the year and the successful candidate will be supported in their application.

GORS: GORS Technical Framework - GOV.UK

GSR: The Government Social Research Technical Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

GSG: Competency framework for the Government Statistician Group (GSG) – Government Analysis Function

GES: GES Technical Framework 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Evidence of applied analytical or research experience
• Experience in communicating analysis clearly in a way that is accessible and understood by experts and non-experts, using verbal and written communication.
• Ability to proactively prioritise and plan own work effectively, managing demands to deliver high-quality outcomes to the desired timeline.
• Experience with analytical software or research tools, including R and SQL

Memberships

This role is open to:

- Analysts from the Government Statistical Service (GSS), Government Social Research (GSR), Government Economics Service (GES), Government Operational Research Service (GORS) and/or
- Candidates who hold a first, or upper second-class degree with at least 50% base in mathematics, statistics, economics or social research methods (if not already a badged analyst)

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Data analysis (GSG), knowledge and application of OR (GORS), technical skills (GSR), analysis of data (GES). Or for unbadged analysts, evidence of how you have applied analytical skills to solve a problem
• Presenting and disseminating data effectively (GSG), achieving impact with analysis (GORS), using and promoting social research (GSR), effective communication (GES). Or for unbadged analysts, evidence of how you communicate & share analytical results

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,446, Department for Education contributes £12,006 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, fl