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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
Acting as an internal consultancy to all of the Civil Service, we collaborate with government departments, functions and professions to develop and deliver high quality, customer-focused assessment products and solutions grounded in occupational psychology and psychometrics. Our services aim to help identify and develop the best people from all backgrounds, including the Civil Services prestigious talent programmes.
We also place ourselves at the forefront of assessment innovation, and are actively creating a growing range of evidence-based psychological assessment tools.
You will be joining a high performing multi-disciplinary team of occupational psychologists, psychometricians and digital experts who use evidence-based practice to put the client and user at the heart of what they do. We are a team that embraces innovation to deliver better results, improved efficiency and added value, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
If you are passionate about applying psychology and psychometrics in the workplace to really add value across a wide and varied agenda, then we really want to hear from you!
Job description
This role will focus on designing, conducting and managing research projects, trials and studies. This also includes initiating research that explores the wider context in which assessment is carried out, such as evaluation of the effectiveness of end to end recruitment processes.
The Lead Psychometricians will work on the psychometric development, testing and system integration of a suite of online tests used for recruitment in the Civil Service and the psychometric aspects of integration with our main candidate management systems. They will design, conduct and manage research projects, trials and studies, develop new content, carry out subject matter expert reviews and content trialling and lead the assembly and implementation of test products with our departmental customers using a combination of surveys, item trialling, workshops and one to one user research. They will research and analyse new innovations and products, carrying out in-depth statistical evaluations.
The Lead Psychometricians will act as a subject matter expert and represent the service line professionally with a wide range of customers and stakeholders. They will manage the day to day availability and integrity of the test player and analytical function to ensure delivery is according to agreed standards.
The Lead Psychometricians will work very closely with a multi-disciplinary digital team operating an agile project management approach, which is based in Bristol, so will work in an agile way in the design of test integrations, the user interface and test assembly, staging and implementation. Occasional travel within the UK will be a requirement of the role.
The Lead Psychometricians will be a member of a wider team of professional psychologists and will be expected to contribute to the development of professional practice and work collaboratively with colleagues on a wider portfolio of activities when the need arises.
There will be opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed and professional interest journals, as well as attend relevant conferences and CPD events. In addition, we are proud of our achievement of professional recognitions for the quality of our service. The Lead Psychometricians will be expected to contribute to awards submissions that demonstrate these achievements.
You will use your excellent oral/written and interpersonal communications, leadership and management skills for multi-functional projects and operations. You are someone who can combine theory-based, academic and empirical experiences of developing new research / technical reports. You have the ability to work with various stakeholders, committees and governing boards, vendors, consultants, and business partners of different backgrounds.
You will be expected to be able to focus on technical details while maintaining high level perspectives, and you must enjoy working in a team environment, be intellectually curious, conscientious, and motivated to work to continually improve the quality and validity of programme deliverables. You will be expected to use project management skills to manage multiple project assignments, timelines, deliverables, and milestones in accordance with Government Digital Services standards.
Given the specialist nature of the role, CPD is a critical activity. The Lead Psychometricians will be provided with access to necessary academic and practitioner-based publications
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
Psychometric Analysis
- Design and conduct psychometric and statistical analysis using CTT and IRT methods
- Conduct advanced statistical and psychometric forensic analyses to enhance test security measures
Research
- Design, conduct and manage research projects, trials and studies
- Oversee the integrity of tests and assessments to provide accurate item and candidate performance data to support test construction work
- Act as a subject matter expert for recruitment tests and assessments
- Lead the psychometric implementation of accessibility standards
- Advise on delivery of user research, job analysis, online surveys and customer needs engagement initiatives
- Present and communicate analytical/research findings and proposals to customers, stakeholders and others, orally and in writing
- Keep up-to-date with and knowledge share the latest innovations in psychometrics, modern testing methods and in particular recruitment testing
- Line management of one or two Psychometric Analysts may be required
Person specification
In order to be successful in this role you will –
- Likely have a Masters in either Educational Measurement & Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Industrial/Organisational/Occupational Psychology, Psychometrics, or a highly-related discipline with a significant component of measurement theory in it
- Have graduate training and experience in psychometrics, measurement theory, test development, validation, item bias, standard setting, and you may be a Registered Test User with the BPS
- Have knowledge of SPSS and other statistical analysis packages, survey packages, MS Office/Google Docs
- Be well versed in psychometric methods, modern statistical and psychometric theories, measurement principles, test design, analysis and validation and have expertise in test development and psychometric methods using CTT and IRT methods
- Have experience working in product delivery environments where high stakes assessment is carried out using computer-based testing
- Have good knowledge of Differential Item Function (DIF) analysis
- Be experienced managing large-scale research and testing programs, either of norm trialling, volume recruitment testing, certification and/or licensure applications
- Have a basic understanding of WCAG 2.0 standards in relation to user interfaces and test design
- Have experience of working in a large, complex organisation with many approval controls, moving parts and stakeholders
Youll be reporting directly to the Head of Online Tests and Assessments. You will work with a variety of clients, departments and professions across government. You will need to be able to demonstrate flexibility, the ability to deliver at pace and be someone who your team can really rely on.
Youll need to demonstrate real passion for applying psychometric expertise and evidence-based practice.
Finally, we are a forward-looking team and so you will need to be too. Youll embrace change and be eager to learn from it to develop and strengthen your role.
Do you see yourself as a talented individual that can achieve all this, progressing yourself and our team to the next level?
Qualifications
Memberships
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Managing development of assessment content
- Working with complex statistics and developing own knowledge
- Innovating in an applied environment
- Evidencing and ensuring fairness and validity of assessments
Benefits
£14,418 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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, all stages of the application process must be completed by no later than 23.55 on 16/10/2023.
Stage 1
Complete basic personal details
Stage 2
You will be invited to complete the Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test and, if you pass the test, the Civil Service Verbal Test.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test and, if you pass the test, the Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass both tests, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23.55 on 16/10/2023. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
Stage 3
If you pass the tests you will then automatically be invited to submit a full application form which includes:
- A CV section setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements along with details of any relevant qualifications. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years; and
- A personal statement (no longer than 1250 words total) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as set out in the person specification provided.
You must complete all stages 1 to 3 before 23.55 on 16/10/2023.
Interview
Candidates demonstrating the best fit for the role will be invited to attend a panel interview where you will be assessed on Technical skills.
The interview will also include a presentation relating to Designing and managing research projects, trials or studies, with follow up questions. Further details will be provided to candidates who are shortlisted in due course.
Further Information
This role requires BPSS clearance, however you may be required to undergo SC clearance depending on the nature of the data you get involved with.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Cabinet Office 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
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 /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
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 applicants 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 appointablecandidate.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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Paul Weldon
- Email : paul.weldon@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : appointablecandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles. and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
