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Operational Research
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About the job
Job summary
The Home Office is the lead government Department for immigration and passports, crime, police, fire, and counter terrorism. These significant issues are at the heart of the agenda of HM Government, are intellectually stimulating and regularly at the top of the news. The challenges and opportunities the Department faces are significant and rapidly changing in the global environment in which we operate. Strong analytical advice is needed to navigate these challenges, and the Home Office has a reputation for making analysis at the centre of policy making.
Migration and Borders Analysis is part of Home Office Analysis and Insight (HOAI) and strives to provide robust evidence to inform the development of new policies on regular and irregular migration, all the way from operational strategies within service areas up to the flagship Illegal Migration Act (Illegal Migration Act 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). The challenges in this policy area require innovative analytical solutions, which leads us to working across the vibrant HOAI community of over 700 analysts, with partners across government and internationally to provide consistent and coherent analysis and insight to the Migration and Border system and the public.
This is an exciting time to be working in Immigration. We have seen increased demand for analysis to support this area and therefore are looking to increase our capacity and capability across several professions for research, modelling, monitoring and evaluation roles within the unit.
Job description
We have exciting opportunities for Senior Operational Research Analysts to support decision making in three high-profile areas:
Three roles delivering operational and strategic modelling of the irregular migration system processes, including using and developing Discrete Event and Systems Dynamics simulation methods. Your analysis will inform operations and business planning and play a key role in supporting the Prime Ministerial priority of reducing illegal migration.
Four roles working with data from Home Office systems to model how people move through the enforcement process or the asylum system; developing new ways to visualise and communicate these paths and estimating the impact of proposed changes expect system models, forecasting techniques and scenario analysis.
Three roles working in Managed Migration Operational analysis supporting operations and/or modelling the effects of the Future Borders and Immigration System (FBIS) transformation programme. You will develop models to support operational planning, policy and decision making within the managed migration system. The roles will involve using a wide range of analytical approaches, from forecasting, simulation modelling, logic modelling, benefit estimation, estimation techniques and process mapping.
All roles are providing modelling decision support at the highest levels in the Department, and you will have the opportunity to work directly with senior colleagues to scope analytical requirements and present outputs to inform critical decisions. As part of a mixed profession analytical unit, you will also have opportunities to work closely with and alongside social researchers, statisticians, and economists to develop a rich evidence picture. There may also be the opportunity to line manage staff.
Working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, you will determine how best to deliver models and ensure that they understand the inherent complexities and uncertainties in the finished product. This will require you to scope out requirements, building trust with stakeholders, and challenging the status quo in a constructive and supportive manner to identify and deliver the analysis which best answers the problem.
The UK approach to managing regular and irregular migration and immigration enforcement are key areas of interest for the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister.
These posts form part of a friendly, dedicated, and supportive unit, which recognises the complexity and human challenge of the areas we support. Your work will enable us to continue to provide robust advice to policy, shaping operational approaches to promote swift, fair, and humane approaches to immigration case working and support.
We support and champion diverse perspectives and experience, encouraging life-long learning and providing reasonable adjustments to ensure the widest range of talent can access opportunities in our teams and contribute their skills to shape critical decisions that affect the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
We have office locations across the country in Central London, Croydon, Manchester and Sheffield. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
Person specification
As an experienced analyst, you will be skilled in designing and delivering operational research projects, carrying out modelling and analysis to deliver insights. Your skills in simulation modelling or related areas such as data science, will have been honed through practical experience.
You will be adept at method selection, willing to try new things to build capability, but pragmatic in deciding what analysis is needed to support decision making in a timely way.
You will be a strong team player, willing to work flexibly across changing priorities while maintaining delivery of your core projects, experienced in delivering as part of a team and able to recognise when different analytical skill sets can be brought to bear on a problem.
Your ability to understand and interpret stakeholder requirements and communicate results and implications of your analysis will support you in providing clear and comprehensible evidence to Ministers and senior operational and policy leads.
You understand and live by the Civil Service Values of Honesty, Integrity, Objectivity, and Impartiality in delivering high value evidence and analysis.
Essential criteria
Meet the qualification eligibility criteria or be an existing member of GORS (see Qualifications).
Can demonstrate a thorough knowledge of a range of quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques (forecasting, simulation modelling and/or data science in particular) and ability to communicate insights effectively.
A track record of managing and owning analytical projects from understanding requirements, designing solutions, quality assurance and timely delivery.
An ability to work collaboratively with fellow members of the analytical community and external partners to produce coherent and useful analytical products.
Practical experience of programming languages (e.g. Python, R, SQL) and/or using specialist simulation software (e.g. Simul8).
Desirable criteria
Experience of forecasting and simulation modelling, and particularly in areas that come with great uncertainty, using a variety of methods.
Experience of working flexibly across analytical teams (including in other organisations), with a variety of stakeholders and across locations.
Experience of working in an agile environment.
Experience of line management or coaching/ mentoring people for development purposes.
An interest in migration and associated issues.
Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA)
Successful candidates will be eligible for an annual specialist RRA of £2,000. This allowance is subject to review and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
Qualifications
Hold a minimum of a 2:1 in a highly numerate degree (or a 2:2 with a highly numerate postgraduate qualification or relevant work experience) Highly numerate degrees include: Astrophysics, Data Science, Decision Science, Econometrics, Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physics and Statistics. Other numerate degrees, such as Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Geography, IT, Management, Management Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences and Systems Science, may be accepted if 50% or more of the modules are considered highly numerate.
You must provide details of the percentage degree content of each module in the qualifications section or employment history section of the CV.
You must already hold the qualifications listed, we cannot accept applications if you are still studying or awaiting the outcome of your degree.
OR
Already be an existing permanent badged member of the Government Operational Research Service (GORS). If you are already a member of the GORS profession please state this in the qualifications section of the CV. You may be asked to provide proof of membership and we may verify this at any point in the recruitment process with the Government Operational Research Service professional body.
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:
- GORS: Knowledge and application of Operational Research (OR) skills and techniques
- GORS: Achieving Impact with Analysis
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- GORS: Knowledge and application of Operational Research (OR) skills and techniques
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
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
A CV detailing job history/qualifications/skills
A statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 750 words)
Provide evidence of the GORS technical skill Knowledge and application of Operational Research (OR) skills and techniques (250 words maximum)
Please refer to the following framework:
Government Operational Research Service (GORS) framework
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note the Statement of Suitability should concisely explain your motivation for applying to this role, and evidencing how you meet the essential criteria listed above.
The CV will be used to assess eligibility for the role however will not be scored. Applicants meeting the educational requirements will progress to the sift which will be based on the statement of suitability and technical skill. Please state whether you are GORS badged or whether you meet the qualification requirement as outlined in the advert.
In the event of a high number of applications, we will sift on the GORS technical skill – Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift where the statement of suitability will be scored.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview which will be a blended approach of technical based and behaviour-based questions on all the technical skills and behaviours listed in the advert.
As part of the interview, you will also be required to undertake a problem structuring exercise at the beginning of the interview. Both badged and non-badged candidates will be required to do this and further details will be provided before the interview.
Sift and Interview dates
Sift is expected to take place from 11th January 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 5th February 2024.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert, however on occasions these dates may change.
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
Good internet connection
Microsoft Teams
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further Information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role or similar role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
When completing your application, you will have the opportunity to select your preferred location(s). Please ensure you select all locations you are interested in. Candidates who are successful at Interview will be placed in order of merit per location and provisional job offers will be made in strict merit order per location preference.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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 applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home 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
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the Contact point for applicants section.
Feedback
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
