Analytical Advisor
National Infrastructure Commission
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 22nd July 2024
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About the job
Job summary
About the National Infrastructure Commission
By joining the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), you’ll be playing a key role in delivering independent advice to government on the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs. We do this to help support sustainable economic growth across the whole of the UK, improve competitiveness and ultimately improve the quality of life of UK citizens.
We are a collaborative team of civil servants and industry secondees working to support the Commissioners in offering forward-thinking recommendations based on a rigorous approach to evidence and consultation – and to monitor government’s progress in implementing those plans.
The Commission’s core responsibilities include:
• producing a National Infrastructure Assessment once every five years, setting out the Commission’s assessment of long-term infrastructure needs with recommendations to government on how to meet them;
• carrying out in-depth studies into the UK’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, making recommendations to government; and
• monitoring the government’s progress in delivering infrastructure projects and programmes recommended by the NIC.
Analysts at the Commission typically lead development of the quantitative evidence base underpinning our projects, drawing from theories and methods used commonly in economics, operational research and social research. Analysts work closely with policy and communications experts, and experts across government departments, academia and industry. As a small analytical team there is a focus on working together, sharing ideas and supporting each others’ development.
Job description
The Commission’s work is highly varied, and analysts can expect to develop deep knowledge across some sectors as well as apply their skills flexibly across a range of other areas. The Commission’s work plan for 2024 includes analysis of electricity distribution networks, water quality, and infrastructure costs and needs Analytical Advisors to support and deliver it, ensuring its work is founded on the best available evidence.
For one of the roles, we are looking for someone with experience in analysis of environmental issues. The Commission has previously undertaken analysis and published reports on Preparing for a drier future and Reducing the risks of surface water flooding. For NIA2, the Commission developed a model to quantify the impacts of recommendations on natural capital. Looking ahead, work with an environmental focus will likely include a project on water quality and wastewater; understanding investment in water quality and linking to environmental outcomes.
Other roles with a more flexible brief are also available. Analytical advisors can expect to be working with senior analysts to deliver analysis on projects including:
- wider NIC analysis projects: public spending frameworks and fiscal analysis, and applying natural capital frameworks to economic infrastructure;
- electricity distribution networks; modelling the role of technologies in providing flexibility to manage peak electricity demand and taking a strategic view of the capacity and investment needs of the system.
Analysts are also likely to be involved in:
- Developing and leveraging relationships with analysts in government, industry and academia to advise and steer the Commission’s work;
- Supporting the wider analytical team with quality assurance.
For an informal discussion, please contact Amy Cox who is leading on the recruitment of these roles:
T: +44 207 269 2214
Person specification
We are looking for experienced analysts with a keen interest in infrastructure analysis, the ability to break down complex real-world problems into practical analytical steps, and experience of delivering quality-assured quantitative insights at pace. The successful candidates will provide high-quality analysis and advice to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).
Essential behaviours, experience and technical skills:
Please note that you will need to refer to the below in your Personal Statement.
- Good analytical skills with experience of applying quantitative analytical skills in a policy/strategy-facing role, including the ability to deliver high quality, clearly communicated and influential quantitative analysis.
- Strong quantitative analytical skills, experience of producing analysis of social or economic policy using large datasets and dealing with complex spreadsheets. Knowledge of R, or other programming languages, would be useful.
- Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand and communicate effectively in writing.
- 4. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
- 5. An awareness and understanding of emerging issues and trends that could impact the organisation’s objectives and wider public infrastructure needs.
Knowledge and experience of analysis across any of the six infrastructure sectors covered by the NIC (digital, energy, flooding, transport, waste and water) would be an advantage in these roles but is not essential.
The exact remit of the posts to be agreed based on expertise, interests and profession.
The analytical advisor role is open to all who can demonstrate relevant analytical experience, including existing members of one of the government analytical professions (e.g. GORS, GES, GSS, GSR).
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to apply analytical techniques to present a solution and identify efficient & effective ways to use data analysis to overcome challenges, applying innovative techniques to make data driven decisions
Benefits
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
- Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
- Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
- A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this post, please submit the following through the Civil Service Jobs portal no later than 23:55 on 22nd July 2024.
1.A Personal Statement (max 1000 words) explaining how you meet the ‘essential behaviours, experience and skills’ for the role which are listed under the Person specification. This is the main opportunity for you to show you are right for the role and will be used to select candidates for an interview.
2.A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Please note: the CV will not be scored and will be used for information only and to support conversations at interview.
Shortlist
The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided in the Personal Statement against the criteria set out in the ‘Person specification’ section of the candidate pack. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Interview
The interview process will assess the essential behaviours, experience and technical skills – as set out in the person specification and behaviours in the candidate pack. It will include a 5 minute presentation that candidate will be able to prepare in the week beforehand. The topic of the presentation will be included with the invitation to interview.
Recruitment Timeline
- Closing date: 22nd July 2024
- Shortlisting: w/c 22nd July 2024
- Interviews: w/c 5th August 2024
This timeline is indicative and may be subject to change. We will inform you if there is a substantial change to the recruitment timeline.
If your contact details change at any time during the selection process, please ensure you update your Civil Service Jobs profile.
Please note that only applications submitted through Civil Service Jobs will be accepted.
Eligibility Statement
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role in the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Checks will be performed as part of pre-employment checks in line with this.
Everyone working with government assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks. Additionally, individuals appointed to the Treasury group will be subject to National Security Vetting. The level of security vetting required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC).
To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, applicants will need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 out of the past 5 years. In exceptional circumstances, a lack of residency would not be a bar to security clearance however the Department will need to consider eligibility on a case by case basis once the advert closing date has passed.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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 : Amy Cox
- Email : amycox@michaelpage.com
- Telephone : 442072692214
Recruitment team
- Email : hrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Further information
