Principal Statistician Prisons , Analysis Directorate Ministry of Justice (Ref: 91709)

Do you have the passion, values, and ability to help us solve the biggest problems of the justice system?Principal Statistician Prisons (G7), Analysis Directorate Ministry of JusticeOverviewWe have 1 role in the Prison Data Unit, within the Analysis Directorate.Roles are open toExisting analysts from the Government Statistical Service either on level transfer or on promotion.Other candidates that are not members of the GSS 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.Minimum requirements to apply:Candidates must be able to show the relevant experience and skills and must meet the criteria for entry:Grade 7 must meet all of the following:You have significant work experience (usually a minimum of four years) evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills. Time spent on an analytical PhD can count towards this.You have significant experience of managing projectsYou have experience of leading or managing a teamWe 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 November/December 2024 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.About the Analysis DirectorateWe are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research, data and analysis. In the Analysis Directorate, we provide high quality data and analysis helping to ensure strategic, policy, finance, corporate and operational decisions are based on robust evidence.We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to make excellent decisions; using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration; putting evidence at the heart of the justice system.We are a multi-disciplinary team of around 650 staff that sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice providing analytical support across a diverse and exciting agenda. We work in a dynamic and fast-paced context and our skills are in heavy demand across the Ministry of Justice. Our collaborations beyond government are seen as ground-breaking. The Analysis community is made up of analysts and specialists including: Social Researchers, Economists, Operational Researchers, Statisticians, Data Engineers, Data Scientists and other data specialists (such as data strategists, data dissemination, generalists and assurance experts).Why work in the Analysis Directorate?In the Analysis Directorate, we want all our people to feel valued for who they are and for the work they do. We provide a warm, inclusive place to work and offer a wide range of flexibilities and benefits as part of our people offer to reward our staff.What we offerFlexible working arrangements and a focus on equality of opportunity including welcoming part-time and/or job-share arrangements, compressed hours, working from home or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centres or Justice Satellite Office.Career development regular development and promotion opportunities across a wide range of roles, career development support, with a generous individual learning and development budget.Range of new areas of work and new tools and techniques we pride ourselves on our excellent deployment of well-established analytical methods, but also our progress to date. Progress such as our ambitious and innovative transformation programme to leverage departmental data and drive evidence-based decision-making using cutting-edge tools and techniques (for example: experimentation, personalisation, artificial intelligence).Analysis is at the centre of the Departments decision making our transformation programme is focused on maximising our impact on departmental outcomes. The Ministry of Justices Senior Team and our Ministerial Team want all decisions to be evidence driven your analysis will be key in influencing decisions and real-world impact.Vibrant community part of a multidisciplinary team that has a supportive culture and is looking to further develop the community with the help of everyone.See the frontline and what your work is influencing regular opportunities to visit our front-line service providers, including courts, prisons, and probation to better understand the areas your analysis is affecting.What youll doPrincipal Statistician (Prisons) you will be a supportive leader for a team of analysts providing high-quality data, statistics, management information, analysis and subject matter expertise on prisons. You will work closely with colleagues across policy, operations and analysis to provide the data and insight needed for MoJ to make evidence-based decisions, including supporting urgent work around prison capacity and reprioritising at pace in response to Ministerial requirements. You will seek opportunities to further develop the work of the team in alignment with MoJs Data Strategy and the Code of Practice for Statistics.Who you areThe following experience and skills will be required:Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex data and analytical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.Confidence in analysing data and presenting it appropriately, including leading others in analytical delivery.Experience of leading and developing others, prioritising and delegating tasks in line with organisational objectives. Representing your team in discussions with partners, managing partners expectations, dealing constructively with challenges and where appropriate adapting your work programme as requirements and circumstances change.Strong ability to plan, prioritise and lead a portfolio of analytical requests with challenging and competing timelines.Building and maintaining a culture of high-quality analysis and continuous improvementThe following experience and skills are desirable:Experience with Official Statistics, freedom of information requests and parliamentary questionsKnowledge of R and GitHubProfessional knowledge and experience of working with the justice system, ideally prisons.How to applyYoull need to submit an anonymised CV and evidence against the three CivilService success profiles behaviours and one technical element listed below. You will not be considered if you do not provide both a CV and behaviour examples.Your CV should be no more than 2 pages long and should show us your work history and previous experience. It should be well structured, succinct, and written in clear language.You will be assessed against the following behaviours in the Civil service success profiles framework:Leadership (lead behaviour)Delivering at PaceChanging and ImprovingPlease also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at the relevant grades:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf As well as the three civil service behaviours stated above, you are also asked to provide evidence of suitability for one technical element.For GSS candidates, please provide evidence against the professional competency Data Analysis. For external (non-Civil Service) candidates and non-GSS candidates within the Civil Service, please provide evidence of leading a piece of analytical work: you will be assessed on your analytical knowledge, experience and abilities, and the impact of your analytical work. Selection ProcessThere will be an initial sift of applicants through comparing submitted evidence against the specified behaviours. This usually takes two weeks, depending on the number of applications. In the event there are a high number of applications, the lead behaviour (leadership) may be used to conduct an initial sift and applications that do not meet the minimum requirement for this criterion will not progress to a full sift.Those who make it through the full sift will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profile interview. In the Civil Service we use Success Profiles to help us find the right person for the job. We will be using a mixture of methods to assess your abilities, strengths, experience, technical skills, and behaviours. We highly recommend learning about Success Profiles and using the Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection (STARR) framework when structuring your answers.The highest scoring candidates that pass the interview will be offered the roles. The whole process can take up to a month.BehavioursYou will be assessed against four behaviours from the Civil service success profiles framework at the interview stage:LeadershipDelivering at PaceChanging and ImprovingWorking TogetherPlease also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf For GSS analysts, as well as the four civil service behaviours stated above, you will be assessed on two sets of professional competencies at interview. For external (non-Civil Service) candidates and non-GSS candidates within the Civil Service, as well as the four civil service behaviours stated above, you will be assessed on your analytical knowledge, experience and abilities, and the impact of your analytical work. Professional Competencies Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & SkillsGSS - Data Analysis. Professional Competency (2) Influence & ImpactGSS - Presenting and disseminating data effectively. For more information regarding Professional Competency (2) please refer to the analytical profession internet link below. Please note that some aspects of the professional ...