Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis and Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 1st October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This vacancy is only for candidates who are not currently a member of the GSS.
If you are currently a member of the GSS/GES/GORS please apply to vacancy number 369712 (unbadged GES/GORS are also able to apply through the same vacancy number).
There are two posts available;
Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis and Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform.
Both posts are high profile analytical roles within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) offering the opportunity to lead influential pieces of economic analysis in the area of local government finance where annual expenditure is around £60bn.
The posts sit within the Local Policy Analysis (LPA) Division within the Analysis and Data Directorate of DLUHC. LPA is a multi-disciplinary team of around 40 economists, statisticians, operational and social researchers. LPA plays an instrumental role in the delivery of local public services with its analysis playing a critical role in the design and delivery of local government finance policies.
Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis
The post holder will lead analysis and the scrutiny of evidence on local authority productivity. This will include assessing the variation in local authority unit costs and variation in different outcome metrics. The post holder will also lead analysis on local authority efficiency and the potential impact of any future local authority restructuring.
Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform
The post holder will lead on a number of workstreams and have the opportunity to:
The post holder will lead on analysis to help deliver the Government’s manifesto commitments to reform business rates to rebalance the burden between high street and online retail, incentivise investment and tackle empty properties. The post holder will be responsible for costing changes to business rates reliefs and producing analysis of winners and losers. The post holder will also consider how changes to the tax will affect the way business rates funds local government services.
Job description
Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis
The post holder will deliver influential analysis on several high profile workstreams including:
- Analysing various data sources including outcome metrics and how these different data sources vary across local authorities;
- Developing analytical methods and applying analytical techniques to help assess local authority productivity changes in different service areas;
- Reviewing the evidence and producing analysis on local government efficiency; and
- Assessing the possible impacts from any potential future local government restructuring.
The post holder will be expected to use their analysis to help inform policy thinking on local government finance and will be critical in helping inform the assessment of the funding need of local government.
The post holder will have line management responsibility of 1 HEO analyst who will support the post holder on the above workstreams. The post holder can also expect to task manage other analysts within the division on particular projects.
Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform
- Work closely with HMT and policy colleagues to develop BR tax policy to deliver on Ministerial priorities.
- Produce costings of tax changes at fiscal events for the Office for Budget Responsibility.
- Analytically test new policy to ensure that changes to the tax do not disadvantage the way local authorities are funded via business rates revenue.
- Develop and apply your modelling skills to policy problems. Extend the use of RAP principles and modern analytical techniques.
- Improve your communication of complex analysis to influence senior officials and ministers.
- The post holder will have line management of 1 HEO analyst.
With both posts there will be the opportunity to:
- Lead high profile pieces of analysis in a policy area where annual local government expenditure is around £60bn;
- Work closely with senior officials, other government departments and Ministers;
- Manage and support a small team of other analysts;
- Work in a multi-disciplinary environment with analysts of different specialisms, building the evidence base for policies on local government finance and influencing policy direction; and
- Apply and develop leadership and analytical skills.
The post holders can also expect significant learning and development when in post, both on-the-job learning, peer-to-peer learning and internal and external training.
Person specification
Candidates will be considered for both roles. If invited to interview, candidates will be asked which of the two roles they have a preference for. If successful at interview stage, the department will take into account the preferences of successful candidates but cannot guarantee candidates will be offered their preferred post.
The post holders will need to meet the academic requirements of Government Statistical Service (GSS)
In addition to these technical skills, the essential skills required for both roles include:
- The ability to present and communicate complex analysis clearly and in an impactful way;
- Being comfortable working with large and complex datasets and the ability to apply analytical techniques to work / policy areas; and
- The ability to make sound judgements informed by data, evidence and analysis to influence work / policy.
Analysts in MHCLG must be affiliated to a Government analytical profession.
- Government Statistical Service (GSS)
Stage 1: Filter and eligibility questions, entry tests
Candidates who successfully pass the initial filter and eligibility questions will be asked to confirm which of the analytical professions they belong to or are applying to be part of. This information will be used to progress successful applications to the appropriate professional checks element of the process.
Existing civil servants who are currently a member of one of these professions will retain their professional membership in this role. Applicants on promotion will be assessed for promotion within their profession as part of the selection process. Please make any current affiliation clear in your application.
External candidates or civil servants without a current profession affiliation may be considered for accreditation to one of the professions as part of the recruitment process. If you are not currently a member of a government analytical profession you will be put through the membership process for your chosen profession as part of this application. You must pass the membership process for your application to be successful. If you do not pass the relevant profession entry test your application will not be taken further. See the Guide for Analytical Candidates document for more details of the membership process for the relevant profession.
You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview.
Please refer to the Guide for Analytical Candidates which provides:
1 - The technical competences for The GSS analytical profession
2 - details of the entry requirements to each analytical profession
3 – details of the entry process for each analytical profession
Entry Qualifications
The entry qualifications are listed below. Please list FULL details of your degree in your application form.
Government Statistical Service (GSS):
a first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician and 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
or
a higher degree, e.g. a MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
or
have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a log book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five)
or
have achieved or are on track to achieve a level four apprenticeship including at least two years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development in statistics or data analysis (via a log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession)
Statistician candidates ( entry test) :
Candidates who ARE NOT members of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) will be invited to sit the Government Statistical Services Test. This is the first part of the GSS membership process and you must pass this test for your application to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
If you are currently a member of the GSS, please apply to vacancy number 369712.
The deadline for completing the GSS online test is 23:55 on Tuesday 1st October 2024.
The deadline for completing your application form is 23:55 on Thursday 3rd October 2024.
Competencies
You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview.
Professional technical competences are listed below:
Statistics competences
Statistics: Acquiring data/Understanding customer needs
Statistics: Data analysis
Statistics: Presenting and disseminating data effectively
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of our pre-employment checking process we will be using your CV to confirm your job history. Please note that by providing us with your CV you are consenting to us using the information enclosed as part of the checking process.
Our application system is designed to remove as much bias as possible from the recruitment system – this means that a hiring manager does not know your name, your details, see your whole application in one go (or have your CV at review stage unless stated otherwise).
At application stage you will be asked to upload a CV document. Unless stated otherwise in the advert, your CV will not form part of the assessment but will be used for information purposes and only shared with the panel at interview stage.
Your answers are randomised and chunked up. This means that each assessor views sets of responses to questions for example all candidates’ responses to ‘Seeing the Big Picture’ rather than seeing a candidate’s full application. The science behind this is that recruitment can be subject to ordering and fatigue effects and we want to reduce this as much as possible.
Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.
When writing your application, remember:
- that the assessor won’t be reading your answers sequentially.
- do not assume that the same assessors will have read all of your answers.
If talking about something in your first answer, make sure that write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!)
At sift, we will be assessing:
Experience 1 (lead Sift) - Please provide your experience on your ability to make sound judgements informed by data, evidence and analysis to influence work / policy
Experience 2 - Please provide your experience on your ability to present and communicate complex analysis clearly and in an impactful way
Experience 3 - Please provide your experience on being comfortable working with large and complex datasets and the ability to apply analytical techniques to work / policy areas
There is a 250 word limit per question.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead behaviour listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
We do not consider direct CV applications – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs.
Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign
The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of:
Behaviour
Technical
Candidates invited to interview will be expected to complete an oral briefing exercise as part of the interview process. The oral-briefing exercise is designed to simulate aspects of the job to be performed and provide a second basis for assessing the behaviours and competencies required in the job.
The oral briefing is usually part of the professional requirements as government analytical professions require an oral briefing as part of the entry or promotion process. The briefing will take one of the following forms:
- A prepared on the day presentation to the interview panel which will be followed by questions from the panel. You will be provided with all the information to use for your presentation on the day of your interview. You will be given up to 45 minutes to read this information and prepare your presentation.
OR
- You will be provided with a question in advance of the interview and asked to prepare a presentation of a specific length addressing this question. This presentation will be followed by questions from the panel.
Candidates invited to interview will be given full instructions on the presentation being used.
The presentation will be followed by a 45 minute competency based interview.
Candidates who are not members of a government analytical profession may also need to pass an entry test for their profession as part of the selection process
In the full campaign we will test the below Success Profile Elements:
Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Seeing The Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions
Experience: Yes
Technical: Yes
How to apply:
Step 1- Complete your personal details on CS Jobs
Step 2 - Complete the Government Statistical Service test by 23:55 pm on 1st October 2024
When you are invited to complete the online tests you will be given access to guidance. It is strongly recommended that you read this guidance before you proceed.
Step 3 - If successful, we will send you a link to complete your application on Be Applied by 23:55 pm on 3rd October 2024
Please note these links are not automated and so may take a couple of days to come through and may be delivered to your junk or spam folders.
Step 4 - We will sift your application and if successful, we will invite you to attend interview.
Please contact the vacancy manager if you have any questions about the role.
Grade 7 salary
- The salary for this role is £57,091 (London) or £51,934 (National).
- For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable.
- In addition, subject to membership of the appropriate professional body, a non-consolidated analysts allowance of £3,500 pa will be paid.
Please note that the average employer pension contribution is based upon the National minimum salary for this role. Should your agreed starting salary for this role be different, the average employer pension contribution will be calculated accordingly. If you are a Secondee, this will not apply as you will remain on your home organisation’s terms and conditions.
BENEFITS:
Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018:
Any move to MHCLG from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
For further information about the benefits available to MHCLG employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
- London
- Wolverhampton
- Darlington*
There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role.
*Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service.
For further information on the DEC, please take a look at the attached DEC candidate pack.
Sift and interview dates:
We will be sifting applicants as we go – so please don’t wait until the deadline to submit your application. Interview dates will be confirmed at a later stage, all interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall.
RESERVE LIST:
In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Due to the length of time CTC checks can take, our HR Shared Services team will contact reserve list candidates for London based roles to commence CTC checks. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact recruitment@communities.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list.
CTC (Counter-terrorism Clearance):
Important note
Successful candidates for roles based in our 2 Marsham Street building must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete.
Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Please refer to the MHCLG Notes on Security Clearance section of our Candidate Pack for further information on Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC). Thank you.
Candidates should also note that with effect from 1st August 2018 the department will also check all applicants who are successful at interview, against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) held by the Cabinet Office. In accordance with the Civil Service Internal Fraud Policy, any applicant who is included on the IFD will be refused employment by MHCLG. Please see the Candidate Pack for further information on the Internal Fraud Database.
Before starting your application it’s very important to make sure that you are eligible to apply and meet the Civil Service nationality requirements. All candidates are expected to read the information provided in the MHCLG candidate pack regarding nationality requirements and rules
Candidate Pack Information
Please see attached Candidate pack for further information.
Internal Fraud Database
The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned.The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to MHCLG as a participating government organisations. MHCLG then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented.
For more information please see - Internal Fraud Register
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Steve Smith
- Email : stephen.smith@communities.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@communities.gov.uk