About the job Summary

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

This new dedicated role brings together the full portfolio of People Analytics workstreams under one team leader and combines senior stakeholder engagement with statistical analysis and data insights. You will support DfT in delivering its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to become one of the most inclusive departments in the Civil Service that reflects local working populations and attracts, recognises and nurtures diverse talent.

Job description

As Head of People Analytics you will take a leading role in setting the agenda, analytical workplans and data development projects in close collaboration with senior HR clients, the People Data team and data engineers. You will also work on some projects with Operational Researchers, Statisticians and Data Scientists in the Advanced Analytics Division with whom there is a close working relationship.

You will lead the team to deliver a range of core statistical outputs and ad-hoc or deep dive analytical projects. You will develop the capability of the team to maintain its reputation for people analysis expertise in government, through both 1-1 and team development, working with a wider network of analysts within the department, and across government through an existing peer network.

You will attend key Executive Board meetings to support the presentation of your analysis, answer questions, and realise the impact of your work upon senior decision making. You will understand and influence the analytical programme and instigate deep dive follow up work.

The Data, Insight and People Analysis Division (DIPAD) is a growing multidisciplinary unit of Data professionals (technical roles such as data engineers, data standards leads, service managers, and data policy leads), Statisticians and Operational Researchers. The Data Insight and People Analysis Division works on a variety of projects to embed process automation in our data and statistical processes, enable greater use of more real-time data; and deliver external projects to support the improved use, quality and availability of data in the transport sector.

The division provides the data and analytical function for the Department’s HR/people issues. We are passionate about innovating and developing our approach to People Analytics across a wide range of important issues of societal and economic interest including Gender Pay Gaps and Diversity and Inclusion; Wellbeing; strategic workforce planning and social mobility.

Do you have experience of using analysis to create insight and communicating this effectively to senior decision makers?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a Head of People Analytics, to join us at Department for Transport, and we'd love to hear from you!
 

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:
• Leading a small team, developing analytical staff and working in partnership with a wider group of analysts including the People Data team, Real Time Data and Visualisation, and Advanced Analytics.
• Being comfortable in a diverse team, managing competing priorities and leading several projects at any given time.
• Deliver and lead on complex analysis; determine the most appropriate methodology and software approaches, manage resources, priorities and cross-working to ensure timely delivery, and oversee validation and verification of the team’s models and analysis..
• Be the lead analyst for a number of key HR areas, including:
- Equality Monitoring – work with staff characteristic data on representation and HR process outcomes to inform and evaluate Diversity and Inclusion work;
- Performance Management – monitor equal treatment of staff across characteristics and business areas;
- Local Recognition Awards – analyse and evaluate distribution of bonus payments to staff;
- People Survey – provide support and analysis of data from staff surveys.
• Relationship building and day-to-day engagement with senior colleagues in Human Resources (in both the central Department and its’ Agencies); understand their issues and identify where your team can add value and support in delivery and evaluation, collaboratively developing new analytical projects and products.
• Work with HR clients and ExCo to advise on interpretation of statistical/analytical outputs and to build data and statistical literacy to better leverage outputs and improve commissioning.
• Build cross-Government relationships and professional networks to ensure our People Analytics is at the cutting edge, and explore the scope for working with other Departments.
• Work with the People Data team who are leading on automation and data-operations to ensure efficient processes for data pipelines into each analysis project.
• Develop expert knowledge of the HR business context and the scope and limitations of available data and how it can best be used; provide insight and suggestions and for improvements and work with the People Data team to improve data capture and utilisation.
• Take on a corporate role in the department’s Statistics/ Operational Research community as Continued Professional Development, and contribute to making the Department a great place to work.

About You

We are looking for someone with a strong background in statistical analysis, analytical project delivery and presenting complex information to a lay audience.

You will need to have experience of:
- Leading and developing an analytical team to deliver multiple analytical projects to clients who are non-specialists
- Designing analytical products to meet client needs, to turn the initial ask into a project specification which meets the real needs of the client
- Choosing appropriate analytical approaches for problems and setting consistent standards for quality assurance and review
- Using analysis to create insight and communicating this effectively to senior decision makers, sometimes at short notice
- Innovating and improving analytical processes

We require the following technical skills

You will have the analytical skills and experience to:
• Undertake (or advise upon) univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, regression and modelling using data tools such as Excel, Python or R to find stories in the data. (Training can be provided on the use of specific tools if required.);
• Work confidently with disparate, and differently formatted datasets, and
• Handle or advise upon the handling and suppression of outputs complicated by small cell counts relating to sensitive personal information such as race and sexual orientation in both administrative and survey data sources.
• You will have data visualisation skills, and experience of developing a narrative using with complex data and interpreting it for different audiences. (This might include use of tools such as Power BI or R Shiny, though training can be provided on the use of specific software if required.)
• Developing statistical skills in others

Technical skills will be assessed using the Level 3 Government Statistical Service (GSS) competency framework available online here.

Qualifications

A professional qualification as per the usual requirements for membership of the Government Statistical Service is a requirement for this role. Professional skills are deployed on a daily basis to produce high-quality statistics and analysis.
This can usually be demonstrated through a minimum of:
• At least a second class honours degree in a numerate subject (containing at least 25% taught statistical content) or higher degree, e.g. a MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training;
• A graduate diploma of the Royal Statistical Society or equivalent qualification;
• Have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five), or
• Have achieved 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.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Government Statistical Service

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV . Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

How to apply

Please provide a CV outlining your career history and the key responsibilities you had within each role. Please tailor this to evidence your suitability against the experience and technical requirements listed in the role profile.

You will also be asked to demonstrate the behaviours listed in the advert at sift.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift is due to take place w/c 13th July 2021.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from w/c 26th July 2021.

This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include:

• an interview

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section

Further Information

To learn more about applying for a role within the Department for Transport, visit the Application Process page of our Careers website.

Before submitting your application, we encourage you to visit our Things You Need to Know page for further information about applying for a role within the Department for Transport and the Civil Service.

Throughout this job advert there are links to the DfT Careers website, which provides you further information to support your application. Should you be unable to access the information on our website, please email [email protected] for assistance.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

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 :   Abby Sneade Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk