Ministry of Justice

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

Senior Research Officer – Theory-Based Evaluation Team 

1. Overview

We have one role in the HMCTS Reform Evaluation 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 being analytical, those successful in recruitment will be eligible for a specialist allowance following an analytical interview based on the following values:  

• SEO London: £500  
• SEO National: £1500 

Minimum requirements to apply: 

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

SEO grade: 

• You have significant work experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills. Time spent on an analytical PhD can count towards this.

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 August or September 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.

1. 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

• 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.

1. What you’ll do

HMCTS Reform was a large, complex, and ambitious programme of modernisation projects, which started in 2016. It aimed to transform the courts and tribunals system through the introduction of more online channels, greater use of remote technology, modernising the estate, and IT infrastructure, and adding new support services.

The HMCTS Reform Evaluation team is conducting a theory-based evaluation of the Reform programme. The evaluation programme includes multiple types of evidence including MI analysis, overarching thematic evaluations, evidence reviews, large-scale surveys, and qualitative studies. Further information on the evaluation programme is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmcts-reform-overarching-evaluation-research

This recruitment is for a senior analyst role working in the theory-based evaluation sub-team, within the HMCTS Reform Evaluation team. The theory-based evaluation is focused on understanding how HMCTS reform has been implemented and delivered. The postholder’s specific responsibilities will include:

• Leading the theory-based evaluation (a key strand of the overall evaluation programme) for a discrete thematic area of the theory of change. Activities to include conducting evidence synthesis, application of process tracing analytical framework, QA, and writing up findings for publication.
• Supporting the sub-team’s Grade 7 to deliver the final report for the overarching evaluation.
• Engaging with operational, programme, and analytical colleagues in HMCTS to ensure findings are relevant and timely, implementing our dissemination strategy to maximise the value of our evaluation.
• Leading on the secretariat for our Judicial Advisory Panel, co-chaired by the MoJ Chief Social Researcher and a High Court Judge, coordinating meetings and the timely production of agendas, papers and minutes.
• Contribute to embedding learning and capability developed during the course of our evaluation in the wider Analysis Directorate, and policy and delivery teams.
• Collaborating with the wider evaluation team, and with analytical colleagues in HMCTS, to deliver our overarching evaluation programme, currently anticipated to complete in Spring 2027. This may include, for example, QA, report drafting, or supporting fieldwork activities. Further opportunities for wider development will be explored in line with programme requirements and the postholder’s preferences and development needs.

This role is particularly well suited to someone in the Social Research profession, but applications are welcomed from all badged analysts with an interest in the role who meet the person specification below. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to conduct research and analysis with real impact.

The following experience and skills will be required:

• Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical data and analytical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leaders and ministers, including through publication of written reports.
• Experience of conducting research evidence synthesis, including synthesis of both qualitative and quantitative evidence
• Experience of qualitative approaches and techniques, through either their direct application or appraisal of qualitative evidence
• Demonstrate strong ability to plan, prioritise and lead an analytical project with challenging and competing timelines.
• Experience of projects cutting across multiple business areas and/or stakeholder groups, including dealing constructively with challenges and where appropriate adapting the analytical or data programme when requirements and circumstances change.

The following experience and skills are desirable:

• Experience using theory-based methods, and Process Tracing in particular, in evaluation
• Experience of quantitative research techniques, such as survey analysis, or analysis of large administrative datasets
• Experience in developing and refining Theories of Change
• Experience in developing innovative methods of disseminating analysis to non-analytical audiences, beyond written reports and presentations.

1. 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

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service 
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

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 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 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 

• Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills
• GSS - Data Analysis.
• GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques.
• GES - Analysis of Data.
• GSR - Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills
• GSS - Presenting and disseminating data effectively.
• GORS - Achieving impact with analysis.
• GES - Effective communication.
• GSR - using and promoting social research

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 

1. 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. 

1. Further Information

If you require any additional information about the role, please contact:

Daniel.hepner@justice.gov.uk or Ramona.franklyn@justice.gov.uk