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

Probation Performance Analysts (2 Roles Available) and Probation Data Analyst (1 Role Available), Prison, Probation and Performance Division, Analysis Directorate

1. Overview

We have 3 roles in the Prison, Probation, Reoffending and Performance Division, within the Analysis Directorate.

Roles are open to:

1. Existing analysts from GORS or GSS either on level transfer or on promotion.

2. Other candidates that are not members of GSS or GORS 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: 

• HEO London: £1000  

• HEO National: £1500 

Minimum requirements to apply:

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

HEO grade - you must meet at least one of the following:

1. You possess a numerate degree or a degree that has an analytical, statistical or research element, with a 2:2 or above, or as a higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD).

2. Alternatively, you have significant experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills (outside of a part-completed Civil Service degree apprenticeship).

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 late June or July 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 c.500 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

• Flexible working arrangements and a focus on equality of opportunity - including welcoming part-time and/or job-share arrangements, compressed hours, working from home or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centres or Justice Satellite Office.

• Career development - regular development and promotion opportunities across a wide range of roles, career development support, with a generous individual learning and development budget.

• Range of new areas of work and new tools and techniques - we pride ourselves on our excellent deployment of well-established analytical methods, but also our progress to date. Progress such as our ambitious and innovative transformation programme to leverage departmental data and drive evidence-based decision-making using cutting-edge tools and techniques (for example: experimentation, personalisation, artificial intelligence).

• Analysis is at the centre of the Department’s decision making - our transformation programme is focused on maximising our impact on departmental outcomes. The Ministry of Justice’s Senior Team and our Ministerial Team want all decisions to be evidence driven - your analysis will be key in influencing decisions and real-world impact.

• Vibrant community - part of a multidisciplinary team that has a supportive culture and is looking to further develop the community with the help of everyone.

• See the frontline and what your work is influencing - regular opportunities to visit our front-line service providers, including courts, prisons, and probation to better understand the areas your analysis is affecting.

3. What you’ll do

All three roles sit in the Prison, Probation, Reoffending and Performance division within the Analysis Directorate. We support the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) with data, statistics and analysis for prisons, probation and reoffending.

Probation Performance Analyst x2

As a Probation Performance Analyst, you will produce regular quantitative analysis to assess and visualise performance in probation. You will help manage the annual performance cycle, from agreeing and communicating the performance frameworks, helping to update the quarterly Probation Scorecard through to supporting the annual Community Performance Official Statistics, ensuring that all data and information is produced to time and thoroughly quality assured. You will also undertake ad-hoc analysis as required.

The team is currently on a journey to automate data flows and products. You will play a key role in this and will have the opportunity to learn and develop coding skills, particularly in SQL.

You will work closely with operational and policy colleagues at all levels up to Senior Civil Service with occasional engagement with Ministers and external stakeholders including HM Inspectorate of Probation and unions. You will provide analysis and advice to stakeholders. You will also have the opportunity to engage with front line staff.

Probation Data Analyst x1

As a Probation Data Analyst, you will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

• Support essential work to evaluate the impact of SDS40, probation reset, and other key policy and operational changes on the probation population.

• Support the public consultation to review, improve and expand the range of statistics provided by the team, meeting growing user demands for timelier and more detailed probation data.

• Support essential data pipeline updates and development of automated processes to ensure accurate reporting of National Statistics and to fully maximise modern data processing techniques.

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality routine and ad-hoc National and Official Statistics publications, along with Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests, related to probation supervision and deaths of offenders under supervision, in line with the code of practice for statistics and tailored to meet intended purposes.

• Develop detailed subject knowledge to lead high-quality conversations with internal and external stakeholders.

• Apply statistical and data visualisation techniques to improve analytical outputs and convey complex ideas.

These are fast paced, high-profile roles where you will make a real impact with your analysis helping to drive improvements in probation.

4. Who you are

The following experience and skills will be required:

• Have good written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to explain data and analytical concepts and practices to non-technical stakeholders. 

• Strong analytical ability, in particular robust data skills, including undertaking quantitative data analysis and presenting data effectively.

• Strong ability to plan and prioritise your own work with challenging and competing timelines, whilst maintaining high-quality statistical outputs.

• Experience of working with others to deliver analysis.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to act on own initiative and to be proactive in seeking solutions to analytical questions.

• Experience of R coding essential for the Probation Data Analyst role only.

The following experience and skills are desirable:

• Experience of using SQL coding would be desirable but not essential as training will be provided.

• Professional knowledge and experience of working with the probation system.

5. How to apply

You’ll need to submit an anonymised CV and evidence against the three Civil

Service success profiles behaviours and one technical element listed below. You

will not be considered if you do not provide both a CV and behaviour examples.

Your CV should be no more than 2 pages long and should show us your work history and previous experience. It should be well structured, succinct, and written in clear language.

You will be assessed against the following behaviours in the Civil Service success

profiles framework. There will be a 250 word limit.

• Delivering at Pace - Lead Behaviour

• Communicating and Influencing

• Managing a Quality Service

As well as the three Civil Service behaviours stated above, you are also asked to

provide evidence of suitability for one technical element. There will be a 250-word limit.

For GSS candidates, please provide evidence against the professional competency “Presenting and disseminating data effectively".

For GORS candidates, please provide evidence against the professional competency “Achieving impact with analysis".

For external (non-Civil Service) candidates and candidates within the Civil Service from other professions, please provide evidence of leading a piece of analytical work: you will be assessed on your analytical knowledge, experience and abilities, and the impact of your analytical work.

5a. Selection Process

There will be an initial sift of applicants through comparing submitted evidence against the specified behaviours. This usually takes two weeks, depending on the number of applications. In the event there are a high number of applications, the lead behaviour, (delivering at pace), may be used to conduct an initial sift and applications that do not meet the minimum requirement for this criterion will not progress to a full sift. 

Those who make it through the 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

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace

  • Communicating and Influencing  

• Managing a Quality Service

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

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

For existing analysts from GSS or GORS 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 candidates within the Civil Service who are from other professions or are unbadged, 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 

• Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills 

• GSS - Data Analysis. 

• GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques. 

• Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact 

• GSS - Presenting and disseminating data effectively. 

• GORS - Achieving impact with analysis. 

For more information regarding Professional Competencies (1) and (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:  

GSG Competency Framework 2021

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

GORS Competencies 

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 roles, please contact:

Probation Performance Analyst - Anne Kelleher, Head of Probation Performance, on anne.kelleher@justice.gov.uk

Probation Data Analyst - Andrea Solomou, Head of Probation Statistics, on andrea.solomou@justice.gov.uk