Do you have the passion, values, and ability to help us solve the biggest problems of the justice system?

Prison Staffing Supply Model Lead (1 Role Available), Analysis Directorate, Ministry of Justice


  1. Overview


We have 1 SEO role in the SWAP Model Development team, within the Analysis Directorate.


Roles are open to:


  1. Existing analysts from all professions (GORS/GSS/GSR/GES) either on level transfer or on promotion.

  2. Other candidates that are not members of GSS, GORS, GSR, GES professions but possess and can demonstrate similar experience at the appropriate level. Badging opportunities will be available once in post for those who wish to apply.


Specialist allowance

Due to the role(s) being analytical, those successful in recruitment will be eligible for a specialist allowance following an analytical interview based on the following values: 


Minimum requirements to apply:

Candidates must be able to show the relevant experience and skills and must meet the criteria for entry:


SEO grade:


We welcome applications from candidates based across the UK. Candidates will have the option of being based in the Leeds or London HQ offices (with flexible working arrangements available) or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office: see this map for more details.


Alternative locations may be available and will be discussed and agreed on the completion of background checks.


Interviews are likely to take place in June 2025 and will be held via MS Teams. We will keep a merit list for a year for those who successfully pass the interview board but who are not offered a post.


2. About the Analysis Directorate

We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research, data and analysis. In the Analysis Directorate, we provide high quality data and analysis helping to ensure strategic, policy, finance, corporate and operational decisions are based on robust evidence.


We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to make excellent decisions; using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration; putting evidence at the heart of the justice system.


We are a multi-disciplinary team of around 650 staff that sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice providing analytical support across a diverse and exciting agenda. We work in a dynamic and fast-paced context and our skills are in heavy demand across the Ministry of Justice. Our collaborations beyond government are seen as ground-breaking. The Analysis community is made up of analysts and specialists including: Social Researchers, Economists, Operational Researchers, Statisticians, Data Engineers, Data Scientists and other data specialists (such as data strategists, data dissemination, generalists and assurance experts).


Why work in the Analysis Directorate?
In the Analysis Directorate, we want all our people to feel valued for who they are and for the work they do. We provide a warm, inclusive place to work and offer a wide range of flexibilities and benefits as part of our people offer to reward our staff.


What we offer


3. What you’ll do

The post is for Staffing Supply Model Lead in the SWAP Model Development team. The role will take responsibility for leading the production of the Staffing Supply model which aims to forecast prison staffing for up to 5 years and is currently approaching a minimal viable project. This is along with one HEO which the role has line manager responsibility for.


The model brings together aspects of staffing to create a microsimulation of staff using Python. The role will drive the investigation and development of dynamically modelled assumptions and ways of working. The team are currently investigating new avenues such as time series forecasting methods and the use of SPLINK for data matching and would welcome new experience and ideas. The role also involves presenting model progress and assumptions to operational and D&A stakeholders.


Main Activities/Responsibilities

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:



4. Who you are


The following experience and skills will be required:


The following experience and skills are desirable:



5. How to apply


You’ll need to submit an anonymised work history and Statement of Suitability as part of your application. You will not be considered if you do not provide both.


Your work history should meet the following criteria: well structured, succinct, and written in clear language.


Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. Consider giving examples that cover all the requirements in the ‘Who you are’ section and use work you have completed to demonstrate how you meet each one. 

 

5a. Selection Process

There will be an initial sift of applicants through comparing submitted evidence against the ‘Who you are’ bullets. This usually takes two weeks, depending on the number of applications.


Those who make it through the initial sift will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profile interview. In the Civil Service we use Success Profiles to help us find the right person for the job. We will be using a mixture of methods to assess your abilities, strengths, experience, technical skills, and behaviours. We highly recommend learning about Success Profiles and using the Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection (STARR) framework when structuring your answers.


The highest scoring candidates that pass the interview will be offered the roles. The whole process can take up to a month.


5b. Interview Process


You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework at interview stage:


Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf 

 


For existing analysts from all professions, as well as the three civil service behaviours stated above, you will be assessed on two sets of professional competencies at interview.


For external (non-Civil Service) candidates (and unbadged candidates within the Civil Service), as well as the three civil service behaviours stated above, you will be assessed on your analytical knowledge, experience and abilities, and the impact of your analytical work.


Professional Competencies 

 



For more information regarding Professional Competency (2) please refer to the analytical profession internet links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MoJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MoJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.


Government Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide, can be found within the link below:  

GORS_Technical_Framework_2025.pdf

Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below: 

GSR Competency Framework 2022

Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:  

GORS Competencies 

Government Economic Service (GES): Further information can be found within the link below: 

GES Professional Standards 2022 

 

6. Applicants invited for Interview  

You will be required to give a 5-minute presentation at interview. Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview. 


7. Further Information 

If you require any additional information about the role, please contact: simon.crowe@justice.gov.uk