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Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
Our Department is responsible for education, childrens social services, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. We work to achieve a highly educated society in which opportunity is equal for all, no matter your background or family circumstances.
These are exciting times at the Department for Education. We are transforming data services to modernise our capabilities and delivering better outcomes for all our users.
The Data Directorate is responsible for delivering data integral to the departments key functions and aims. Our Vision and Strategy is aimed at ensuring data is: – Effectively governed – Appropriately managed – Economically valued – Efficiently processed.
Data Operations (Data Ops) is the heart of Data Directorate and is responsible for keeping the core directorate deliverables on track. Its primary purpose is the efficient collection, processing and delivery of accurate and timely data necessary to support the directorate, wider department and external stakeholders, in order that the sectors core data requirements can be met.
Job description
This analytical role is in the Primary Attainment Data Service Team in Data Operations.
The team owns the delivery methodology for the accountability datasets and hold the documentation explaining how the data are constructed, keeping it up to date and agreeing changes to the process, detailing the technical interpretation and implementing those changes. The data are then produced, quality assured and made available for various uses such as national statistics publications and the Find School and College Performance (FSCP) digital service, informing school and college accountability policy, monitoring school performance, Ofsted inspections and funding allocations.
The main activities involved in these two roles include working with our suppliers to ensure high quality Primary attainment data are delivered to specification, that their quality is measured and reported, and that data are made available to key teams in the Department in a timely manner for many important and high-profile uses such as the publication of performance tables, National Statistics publications and school inspections.
You will provide governance services around key datasets, working closely with stakeholders including suppliers and customers to ensure deliveries are fit for purpose and delivery timescales are agreed and delivered. You will contribute to the ongoing development to automate quality assurance including testing of live systems and standardised reports.
Person specification
The successful post holder will:
- Work collaboratively with our product supplier to ensure timely and high-quality data delivery.
- Work through the technical issues around implementation. You will keep a record of the technical details of data deliveries, agreeing changes with the product supplier ensuring they match business need, and assessing delivered products against the agreed specification.
- As the subject-matter expert, provide support in answering queries from users inside and outside the Department regarding how requirements are implemented.
- Manage change to datasets by gathering user requirements, scoping the approach and evaluating any potential impacts.
- Proactively establish and maintain excellent strategic working relationships with a range of stakeholders including policy colleagues, analysts across the department and other government departments.
- Analyse and quality assure complex datasets primarily using SQL-based tools, but with scope to develop using new approaches.
- Continue to streamline and modernise our processes by automating the quality assurance of the attainment data.
- Lead on technical discussions, effectively communicating across technical and non-technical stakeholders to accurately capture requirements, as well as facilitating discussions within a multidisciplinary team.
- Offer expertise in Primary data, advising users of its appropriate uses, quality and limitations. Including coordinating access to the data, sharing of bespoke data extracts and answering internal and external data queries.
Essential criteria:
- Experience in monitoring and reporting on the quality of data, including accuracy, completeness and ensuring data is fit-for-purpose.
- Experience using a range of large datasets, identifying, investigating, and documenting anomalies in the data.
- Familiar with the issues involved in the collection and reporting of large datasets.
- Strong SQL coding skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management. With the ability to present complex issues and ideas in a compelling way to technical and non-technical audiences.
Desirable criteria:
- Knowledge of data-focussed programming languages such as R or Python.
- Experience working with attainment data.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience in monitoring & reporting on the quality of data, including accuracy, completeness and ensuring data is fit-for-purpose
- Strong communication & stakeholder management.
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this role you will be asked to provide examples of how you meet the behaviours and technical skills listed for this role.
Please refer to the guidance on Behaviours in the link above and provide a specific example of when you have demonstrated each Behaviour.
For the section on technical ability, again please provide an example of when you have demonstrated the relevant skill. The definition of data analyst we use is based on the DDaT capability framework.
For the behaviours and technical skills, you will have 250 words available for each to provide your response.
Sift
At the sift stage, you will be assessed using the examples of your professional history and experience, provided on your application form, demonstrating the four essential Behaviours and Technical skills.
Please refer to the Success Profiles and DDaT capability links above before drafting your response to each of these.
If we receive high volumes of applications then we will sift on Technical skills only.
Interview:
At interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the listed Behaviours and Technical Skills.
Sift will take place the week the application window closes. Interviews will likely take place in the week commencing 27th November via Microsoft Teams.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
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.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Martin Harris
- Email : martin1.harris@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
