Prison Security Research Analyst, Analysis Directorate Ministry of Justice (Ref: 2708)

Ministry of Justice

Education
Benefits
Special Commitments
Skills

Contents

  • Location
  • About the job
  • Benefits
  • Things you need to know
  • Apply and further information

East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, Scotland, South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber

About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally.

Job description

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

Prison Security Research Analyst, SEO, Analysis Directorate Ministry of Justice

  1. Overview

We have 1 in the Prison Security and Safety team, within the Analysis Directorate.

Roles are open to: 

  1. Existing 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, GES 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: 

  • SEO London: £500 
  • SEO National: £1500 

Minimum requirements to apply:

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

SEO grade:

  • You have significant work experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills. Time spent on an analytical PhD can count towards this.

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 March 2025 and will be held via MS TeamsWe 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 the Analysis Directorate

We 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 c.500 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 offer

  • Flexible 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 Department’s decision making – our transformation programme is focused on maximising our impact on departmental outcomes. The Ministry of Justice’s 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.
  1. What you’ll do

The Prison Security team, in Prisons and Agile Analysis, delivers on security priorities determined by MoJ Security Policy and the Directorate of Security in HMPPS. Prison security is an interesting area covering a range of high-profile topics, for example, Serious and Organised Crime. This research requires both quantitative and qualitative approaches, providing an excellent opportunity for development. 

In this role, you'll lead on several analytical and research projects, working closely with other analysts and key stakeholders, including HMPPS, MoJ Security policy, the national intelligence unit, and operational colleagues. You'll have the opportunity to scope projects, design and implement appropriate methodologies, and disseminate findings to senior leaders. Most projects are qualitative and/or evaluation based. The role provides an opportunity to influence how spending decisions are made within HMPPS. Additionally, there may be opportunities for line management, allowing you to further develop your leadership skills and career growth. Your work will play a pivotal role in shaping the approach and impact of our research, driving meaningful change within HMPPS. 

  1. Who you are

The following experience and skills will be required:

  • Strong analytical ability - You will have experience of scoping and designing qualitative research and using appropriate methodologies to answer specific questions/issues. You will have a good understanding of evaluation. You will be able to deliver quality outputs in a timely manner. 
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills - You will need to maintain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders across the Ministry of Justice. You will need good written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to explain data and analytical concepts and practices to non-technical stakeholders. 
  • Good project management skills - You will have experience of managing analytical projects and the ability to liaise with stakeholders to set priorities, goals, objectives, and timescales. You will be adept at identifying risks to delivery, maintaining decision logs and working with colleagues to adapt the analytical programme when requirements and circumstances change. 
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to take initiative – plan, prioritise and lead analytical work.  
  1. How to apply

You’ll need to submit an anonymised CV and Statement of Suitability as part of your application. You will not be considered if you do not provide both.

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.

Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. Consider giving examples that cover all the requirements in the ‘Who you are’ section and use work you have completed to demonstrate how you meet each one. 

5a. Selection Process

There will be an initial sift of applicants through comparing submitted evidence against the ‘Who you are’ bullets. This usually takes two weeks, depending on the number of applications.

Those who make it through the initial 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.

Behaviours

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework at interview stage:

  • Communicating and Influencing 
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Please 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 existing analysts from all professions, as well as the three civil service behaviours stated above, you will be assessed on two sets of professional competencies at interview.

For external (non-Civil Service) candidates (and unbadged candidates within the Civil Service), as well as the three 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 & Skills 

o GSS - Data Analysis. 

o GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques. 

o GES - Analysis of Data. 

o GSR - Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills 

  • Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact 

o GSS - Presenting and disseminating data effectively. 

o GORS - Achieving impact with analysis. 

o GES - Effective communication. 

o GSR - using and promoting social research

For more information regarding Professional Competency (2) 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 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 Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide, can be found within the link below: 

GSG Competency Framework 2021

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

GSR Competency Framework 2022

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 2022 

  1. Applicants invited for Interview 

You will be required to give a 5-minute presentation at interview. Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview. 

  1. Further Information

If you require any additional information about the role, please contact:

Heidi.Harries@Justice.gov.uk

Behaviours

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

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Technical skills

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

  • Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills o GSS - Data Analysis. o GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques. o GES - Analysis of Data. o GSR - Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills
  • Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact o GSS - Presenting and disseminating data effectively. o GORS - Achieving impact with analysis. o GES - Effective communication. o GSR - using and promoting social research

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,463, Ministry of Justice contributes £12,011 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • Access to learning and development
  • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
  • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  • Annual Leave
  • Public Holidays
  • Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
  • Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
  • Telephone : 0345 241 5359

Recruitment team

  • Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/2708?entityId=2708

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