Please read before applying:

To apply for this role you will need to submit a CV and statement of suitability. These need to be merged into one document. When submitting your application Applied will ask you to upload a CV, when doing this you should upload your merged document of your CV and statement of suitability. There are further details in the Selection Process section further below in this advert.

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If those don't work please email scs@levellingup.gov.uk with your application and/or CV before the submission deadline. Any applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Short Summary

This is a high-profile Deputy Director role in a high performing and influential directorate that provides the opportunity to lead and shape a relatively new division with the following responsibilities:

• Data, analysis and insights on Homelessness and rough sleeping;

• And vulnerable people more generally;

• A central team leading and supporting work on monitoring and evaluation in high profile policy areas;

• Delivery of the directorate’s data and analytical infrastructure and providing a leading role in data transformation.

Job Description

The Analysis and Data Directorate has a strong track record in policy evaluation in the area of vulnerable people and using administrative data to do so. The role provides a unique opportunity to design and deliver a programme of work, shaping how data, analysis and policy evaluation are used to inform a fast-moving policy agenda that further enhances the directorate’s analytical capability.

The successful candidate will lead a division of around 40 analysts and data specialists, supported by 4-5 Grade 6s. As well as strong data and analytical skills (including ideally experience in both policy evaluation and innovative use of data), strong leadership skills will be vital in forging strong and influential links with policy and other colleagues; making an impact; and working closely with other divisions and teams across the analytical community.

Responsibilities

• Homelessness and rough sleeping analysis and evidence – including economic advice and policy and programme evaluation;

• Homelessness and rough sleeping data collection, analysis and the production of a range of statistical outputs;

• Domestic abuse duty data, analysis and evaluation;

• Analytical support to the Changing Futures programme.

• Cross-directorate leadership and support on policy and programme monitoring and evaluation – including the Department’s Evaluation Strategy;

• ADD’s data infrastructure, including links to the Integrated Data Platform being established by the Office for National Statistics to improve access to and use of government administrative data;

• Supporting efforts to transform the use of data across DLUHC;

• Oversight of ADD’s administrative support function; and

• To play a visible part as a member of both the directorate’s, and the department’s, senior leadership team.

The person

You will need to be a member of one of the analytical professions (see below) and have a track record of leading teams to deliver excellent analytical products to tight schedules. Key requirements include:

• Developing a vision, setting a clear direction, and providing confident, inspiring, effective, and high performing leadership for all staff

• Developing and agreeing priorities for the division’s work programme with relevant Directors General and policy & other Directors

• Championing data and analysis and using it effectively to influence policy

• Fostering innovative thinking in the team across analysis, policy & programme monitoring and evaluation and the use of data

• Playing an active role in the leadership of the Department, the analytical community in DLUHC and across Whitehall.

• Forging strong links with research, analysis and data collection being carried out by teams outside the Department across Whitehall, local government, the private sector, civil society, think tanks and academia

• Playing a visible part as a member of both ADD’s and the department’s senior leadership team

We particularly encourage applications from those of an ethnic minority background and those with disabilities, as well as those based in locations outside of London, who are underrepresented at this level in DLUHC.

As one of the Department’s senior leaders, you will also be a visible role model for the Civil Service leadership behaviours. These can be found in the Civil Service Leadership Statement which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-leadership-statement/civil-service-leadership-statement   

Essential Criteria

• First-class analytical and data skills – including thought leadership in the use of data and analysis to drive performance improvements in public services

• The ability to deal effectively with Ministers, Special Advisers, and senior officials and a track record of working closely and collaboratively with policy, analytical and other colleagues to deliver better outcomes

• A track record in delivering high quality, timely and influential data, and analysis with a clear focus on prioritisation

• The ability to see the big picture and to think and act strategically

• The ability to lead and manage a large and diverse team, create and contribute to a culture of innovation

• The ability to manage and engage with people with honesty and integrity – addressing poor performance promptly where necessary

• The ability to communicate clearly and logically in writing and orally

Selection process details

How to apply

Please provide the required information and complete your application through the Be Applied website by 23:55 on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

You will be asked to enter some personal details, upload your CV and to provide your responses to the role’s advertised essential criteria.​

When prompted to upload your CV, please upload a single document consisting of: ​

• a CV (including the names of 2 referees and your current remuneration) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities, achievements and your relevant qualifications. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. ​

• a statement of suitability explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria provided in the person specification. (max. 2 pages)​

Please remember to save these two items in one document.​

Please note that only completed applications through the Be Applied route will be considered and that any further progress updates will be sent through Be Applied.

The selection panel will be made up of:

• Stephen Aldridge, Director, Analysis and Data and hiring manager.

• Penny Hobman, Director, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

• A senior member of the analytical profession you are a member of or would join.

Selection process and assessments

Candidates that are shortlisted may be invited to attend a staff engagement panel. 

At DLUHC we hold staff engagement panels as an integral part of the recruitment process for Senior Civil Servants (SCS) – they are designed to help us build up a rounded picture of each candidate and give us an insight into how you might engage and interact with your team should you be successful. The purpose of the session is to help us assess your engagement and communication skills and is not about testing your subject knowledge or expertise for this particular role. Feedback from the session is passed onto the selection panel for consideration alongside the final interview.

Candidates may also be invited to a meeting with a Minister or the Secretary of State, and/or other senior stakeholders. This is not a formal part of the selection process but an informal chance for candidates to find out more about the role and the organisation.

Shortlisted candidates will also be invited to give a short presentation or complete an exercise at the beginning of their final interview. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates when invited to interview. 

All of the evidence presented as part of the process will be considered in the final assessment.

Government Analytical Professions

Entry Requirements:

Successful applicants for this role must be a full member of a Government Analytical profession or be prepared to become a member of the relevant profession.

Civil Servants who are currently a member of a Government Analytical Profession will retain their professional membership in this role. 

Applicants without a current affiliation will be considered for accreditation to the relevant profession as part of the recruitment process.

This means you must meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen profession.  This is usually a first- or second-class honours degree in a relevant subject.

Each analytical profession sets out the specific requirements in more details on their website.  Links to the entry requirements are below.

• Government Economic Service (GES)

• Government Operational Research Service (GORS)

• Government Social Research (GSR)

• Government Statistical Group (GSG)

• Note that the Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession does not set specific academic requirements.

Technical Competence Frameworks:

All applicants will need to demonstrate they have the competences listed in the technical framework for their relevant profession.

Applicants who are currently a member of a Government Analytical Profession and seeking promotion will be assessed for promotion within their profession as part of the selection process.  

Applicants without a current affiliation will be notified if there are other entry tests which need to be successfully completed to ensure compliance with their professional group's requirements.

Further information about competency/technical skill level requirements can be accessed via the links below.

All applicants should refer to the requirements of:

1 - Government Analysis Function SCS Capability Framework  

2 – The relevant profession-specific technical framework

• Government Economic Service (GES)

• Government Operational Research (GORS)

• Government Social Research (GSR)

• Government Statistical Service (GSS)

• Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) – Data Job Family

Security Clearance

All DLUHC colleagues must meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. This is a series of basic security checks to confirm identity and employment history.

In addition to the BPSS, the level of security clearance required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete. For more details of vetting levels and requirements please refer to the Cabinet Office HMG Personnel Security Controls.

Salary

For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable. If appointed on temporary promotion you would get the higher of 10% uplift or the new minimum for Deputy Director.​​

Future pay awards will normally be made in line with current SCS performance-related pay arrangements.