Senior Evaluation Analyst
Building Digital UK (BDUK)
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Benefits Realisation and Evaluation team, part of the Analytical Community in Building Digital UK (BDUK). BDUK is and Executive Agency of the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The BDUK analytical community is made up of two dozen analysts, who support the directorate through analysis, evaluation and modelling, forecasting and reporting to enable the effective investment of over £5 billion public funding of UK digital infrastructure.
We evaluate the success of the programmes BDUK delivers, and work to better understand and monitor the benefits of the programmes. This role will primarily lead on the evaluation and analysis of the £1bn Shared Rural Network Programme, which aims to bring improved mobile 4G coverage to the UK.
BDUK has an outstanding track record of high-quality evaluation, research and statistical analysis. This provides accountability for public spending, and insight on performance and effectiveness that is used to refine live programme delivery and improve future programme and investment decision making. We consistently look to innovate and improve; whether that is through the data and evidence we collect and analyse or in evaluation and research design and application.
Examples of the questions we use analysis to answer: What benefits to the economy, society, and environment does mobile connectivity unlock? Are there disbenefits? How should BDUK measure these and understand attribution to improved connectivity?
How can we ensure our programmes deliver value for money, and how do we test whether this was achieved?
What methodological approaches are best suited to evidencing the barriers and enablers to the expected benefits of BDUK interventions?
Working in BDUK offers brilliant opportunities: you’ll have a diverse workload, access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities, experience working across government agencies, and exposure to our most senior leaders.
Job description
- Independently manage workstreams, including work or line managing other analysts, taking responsibility to deliver a suite of analytical solutions to a wide range of questions.
- Inform and shape the design of new and existing BDUK interventions through timely evidence-based advice. Assess the impact and effectiveness of current and past BDUK delivery and inform decision making through innovative research and analysis.
- Lead on delivery of complex, high-profile mobile evaluation and benefit realisation projects. This includes:
- Procuring and contract managing external contractors to lead a programme of research and evaluation.
- Reviewing, synthesising and improving evidence and understanding of digital infrastructure, market behaviours and delivery models. Designing & implementing primary research to fill data gaps and meet stakeholder needs.
- Effectively communicate complex analytical findings:
- Internally; to BDUK and DSIT senior stakeholders, Ministers and various non-analyst audiences
- Across Government; where this affects agendas such as boosting rural economies through digital infrastructure (levelling up), enabling a green economy (net zero), and bringing forward the digitisation of local services such as schools (future-proofing public services).
- Externally; such as telecommunications suppliers and local government representatives including at Conferences and events.
- Contribute to the wider analytical community to ensure BDUK follows research best practice in the design, implementation and analysis of research and that information gathering is conducted effectively and is designed to avoid bias and misleading conclusions.
Person specification
Essential
- Evaluation and analytical experience & skills (either theory based-approaches and/or experimental methods) including designing and managing reasonably complex research projects, providing justification for your choice of analytical methods and defending the integrity of analysis when needed.
- Experience working in applied social research, demonstrating command of both qualitative and quantitative methods in research, and use in answering challenging research questions or addressing evidence gaps.
- Excellent communication skills: Communicating evidence with clarity and impact by making complex findings engaging and easy to understand and in a policy context through a range of modes (e.g. oral and written briefing, submission, slide packs) for a range of audiences (including non-technical).
- Proven ability to work across a range of evidence and data types both through primary data gathering and secondary analysis of data sources.
- Experience of managing projects and/or programmes within a complex stakeholder environment, including working closely with policy and strategy colleagues.
- Ability to deliver quality analysis to tight deadlines, identifying risks and issues and prioritising tasks to inform decision making.
Desirable
- Experience of regression analysis and econometric techniques are preferable as these support the existing evaluation work of the team; (training will be provided).
- Knowledge of the UK mobile telecoms market
- There may be a requirement to manage more junior staff.
Candidates will also need to demonstrate they meet the technical skills and entry criteria for ONE of the analytical professions, or that they have already become a member of these groups through a previous ‘analytical badging’ exercise (see following slides).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- At interview, we will assess the full range of technical competencies for the candidate's preferred profession from across:GES, GORS, GSS, and GSR.
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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this post, please send us the following documents no later than 23:55 on 06/10/2024 via the CS Jobs portal:
- Your CV should set out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, and specify which analytical profession you are applying to.
- Your Personal Statement (max.750 words) should explain how your personal skills, qualities and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.
- Your Lead Behaviour (Managing a Quality Service) (max. 250 words) should explain how your personal skills, qualities, and experience demonstrate each behaviour.
If you are not a badged member of Government Social Research (GSR) or the Government Statistician Group (GSG) and if you intend to apply through the social researcher or statistician route, you will additionally need to take the GSR or GSS online test after the advert closing date (deadline:23:55 on 06/10/2024) Please see attachments for a practice test.
This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by the advised deadline if your application is to be considered for the next stage of the process.
Please ensure you inform us in your application's Reasonable Adjustments information section if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.
For the shortlist, we will assess your Skills and Experience provided in the submitted CVs, Personal Statements, and lead behaviours. Please note, your application must provide evidence of the skills & experience outlined in the role criteria to be progressed to the next stage.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour of Managing a Quality Service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Application Sifting
Candidates successful at the application review stage may be invited to attend an interview/assessment.
For indicative sift and interview dates please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.
Interview
During the interview process, candidates may be asked to provide further evidence of their skills and experience. Interviews will also include a presentation exercise. The interview will be a blended assessment consisting of a series of questions against the Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and analytical professional Technical skills.
At interview, we will assess the full range of technical competencies for the candidate's preferred profession from across:
-The Government Economics Service (GES) - GES Technical Framework
-Government Operational Research Service (GORS) - GORS Technical Framework
-Government Statistician Group (GSG) - GSG Technical Framework
-Government Social Research Service (GSR) - GSR Technical Framework
If you are not a badged member of the GORS profession and intend to apply through the operational researcher route, you will also be required to complete a problem structuring assessment presentation as part of the interview.
Interviews will take place remotely via Google Hangout video call. Successful applicants will join the department through our remote onboarding process.
Further Information
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
The expectation within BDUK is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for BDUK roles on level transfer during that time.
BDUK has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.
Location
This role can be based in London, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh or Manchester. The hub locations are displayed on the job advert. Not all hub locations yet have confirmed office space - successful applicants will be expected to work remotely until this becomes available.
Existing BDUK and DCMS staff who are currently based in London and are successful in gaining this role will be able to remain working from the London base.
Visa Sponsorship
Please take note that BDUK does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Any move to Building Digital UK 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
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via bdukrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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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 : BDUK Recruitment Team
- Email : bdukrecruitment@bduk.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : bdukrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact (recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk) in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
