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HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 8
Directorate: Generic
Job Description: Senior Lead Analyst
Document Ref.
HQ JES 2157 Senior Lead Analyst
Document Type
Management
Version
4.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
14 July 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
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HQ JES 2157 Senior Lead Analyst v4.0
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Job Description
Job Title
Senior Lead Analyst
Directorate
Generic
Band
8
Overview of the
HMPPS is an agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), a major
job
government department at the heart of the justice system. Across
HMPPS, all of our prisons, youth custody settings, probation
offices and HQ, teams have a vital role in delivering our purpose
and outcomes: protecting the public and reducing reoffending.
Our vision is to work together to protect the public and help
people lead law-abiding and positive lives. Everyone who works
in HMPPS has a part to play in making these things happen.
The job holder will apply advanced modelling and analysis
techniques to support effective commissioning.
Summary
The Senior Analyst will use specialist analytical, modelling and
financial techniques to support colleagues by providing robust
forecasts of HMPPS requirements.
They will contribute to this work, playing a leading role in
analytical support and evidence-based policy development for
several HMPPS work streams.
The job holder may have line management responsibilities and
will be required to manage other analysts in a matrix system
during periods of peak demand.
Responsibilities, You will be required to carry out the following responsibilities,
Activities &
activities and duties:
Duties
• Will lead analytical research relating to designated projects.
• Write comprehensive analytical reports for a number of
audiences.
• Produce datasets of key information for the unit, ready for
subsequent analysis.
• Quality assure and manipulate large and complex datasets.
• Provide policy and operational support by producing ad hoc MI
reports and otherwise responding to data/analysis requests
when required.
• Conduct regular and relevant team meetings.
• Research trends and best practice
• Will be expected to manage the resources of their team to
deliver its programme of work, using excellent line
management and matrix management skills.
• Scenario/Sensitivity Analysis - perform scenario and sensitivity
analysis to understand the relative importance of assumptions
and inform identification and management of risk and
uncertainty to inform the HMPPS Board.
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HQ JES 2157 Senior Lead Analyst v4.0
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• Support HMPPS/PS and MoJ by providing data analysis and
reports and other related projects and policy areas. Provide
expert analytical advice on these topics to directors, heads of
group and senior managers. Contribute to the development of
effective policy, through correspondence, meetings and
presentations.
• Conduct, write-up and disseminate research relating to
designated projects as set out in the HMPPS research plan.
These projects require the selection and application of
advanced statistical methods and strong understanding of the
theoretical and empirical literature on offending behaviour and
criminal careers. Reports must pass expert peer review before
publication and be accessible to audiences with different
professional backgrounds and levels of technical expertise.
• Act as the account manager for analytical requests from the
Directorates. This will require the job holder to develop strong
working relationships, working closely with non-analytical
colleagues to understand their requirements and translate
these into analytical work.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is
at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is
expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of
a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments
may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation scheme
and shall be discussed in the first instance with the Job Holder.
Behaviours
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
Strengths
We recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally.
Experience
• Experience of using structured project management
techniques
• Experience of a range of analytical techniques
• Experience of working with structured data / databases to
produce analysis. and experience of analysis in a government
department, or equivalent relevant experience
Technical
A 2.1 or above in a social science or research methods related
requirements
bachelor’s degree or working towards equivalent.
Ability
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HQ JES 2157 Senior Lead Analyst v4.0
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Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’
probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they
have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a
group or organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
37 hour working week
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
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HQ JES 2157 Senior Lead Analyst v4.0