If you experience technical issues during the application process we have found using a different browser or device in the first instance can be a quick fix.

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

Job summary

The Levelling Up White Paper announced the establishment of a new local government data body; the Office for Local Government (Oflog). You will play a leading role in the establishment of Oflog which will provide a transparent and authoritative source of information about the performance of local government. This in turn will support local leaders to improve efficiency and foster accountability by helping communities to better understand how their local authorities are performing.

Oflog is a key priority of the Secretary of State to contribute towards the Levelling Up agenda. This role provides an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of developing data tools to support the aims of Oflog.

Oflog has been set up to enable detailed and precise comparisons of local authorities’ service delivery. We therefore need to convey information as effectively as we can. We are looking for someone to lead the development and delivery of data tools. These tools will help Oflog to empower local government, central government and the public to understand more about local services.   

The person in this role will manage technical and operational aspects of dashboard development, maintaining and expanding the functionality of existing Oflog dashboards. The successful candidate will lead a small team within a friendly group of Oflog analysts. They will need to collaborate well with DLUHC's existing python visualisations team and the Oflog metrics and policy teams. The role should appeal to someone who wants to take innovative approaches to data visualisation and make efficient use of automated processes.

Applicants should be motivated to develop products with real-world impacts while creating a positive work culture. They will need strong data skills with a focus on robust quality assurance methods. The work is varied, and the ideal candidate will be excited to use data and insight to influence decisions in a priority area.

In DLUHC, we have a culture of continuous improvement and feedback driven development. We will support your development in any approaches that are new to you.
We particularly welcome candidates from an ethnic minority background and other underrepresented groups to apply, as we work to continually improve our ability to represent the places and communities we support through our work. 

Job description

Responsibilities:

•    Determine and refine the key metrics and outcomes to present in the dashboard.
•    Maintain and develop the dashboard in line with user research, potentially carrying out user research directly.
•    Work with senior policy colleagues to define performance metrics.
•    Publishing and presenting the dashboard and insights.
•    Communicate complex issues of performance and technical issues clearly and concisely to senior leaders to shape policy-making.
•    Show flexibility and adaptability under pressure.

Person specification

Essential

•    Experience in coding and developing tools and analytical products in open-source tools and libraries, ideally with experience of Python (or R).
•    Experience of using Github, or similar code hosting version control platform, to develop analytical tools. 
•    Ability to demonstrate inclusive and effective leadership, focussing on upskilling the team and the wider department.
•    The ability to communicate technical information succinctly and clearly, especially to non-experts.

Desirable

•    Experience in coding and developing tools and analytical products, ideally using Python-plotly-dash.
•    Practical experience in data manipulation and working with big data to solve a series of complex problems.
•    Experience of working in SQL and other database programmes.
•    Excellent oral and written briefing skills including the ability to communicate detailed information succinctly and clearly.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

We are for everyone 

At DLUHC we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. We promote equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. 

We would strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with the vacancy manager to find out more information about this role. 

We are for everyone 

CV and Cover Letter Declaration 

We recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - this is called name blind recruitment. 

Please remove references to your: 

• name/title

• educational institutions

• age

• gender

• email address

• postal address

• phone number

• nationality/immigration status

You will need to merge your CV and covering letter 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 covering letter. 

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that your application would be viewed by different assessors. 

At sift, through your CV and covering letter we will be assessing: 

Experience

Technical Ability

Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page. Please bear in mind the following behaviours when writing your covering letter – Making Effective Decisions, Working Together and Managing a Quality Service.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead behaviour listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progress straight to assessment/interview  

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of the following success profiles elements:    

Behaviour 

Technical 

Experience

In the full campaign we will test the below Success Profile Elements: 

Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Working Together and Managing a Quality Service.

Technical: Yes

Experience

We do not consider direct CV applications to our Recruitment mailbox – you must apply for this role via the application link on Civil Service Jobs 

Please note that near miss offers may be made at the lower grade to candidates who do not meet the grade criteria for this campaign. 

HEO salary 

• The salary for this role is £33,875 (London) or £30,792 (National). 

• For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable. 

BENEFITS: 

Transfers across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018: 
Any move to DLUHC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 

For further information about the benefits available to DLUHC employees, please see the attached Candidate Pack. 

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION: 

• London 

• Wolverhampton 

• Darlington

• Bristol

SIFT AND INTERVIEW DATES: 

Sifting is envisaged to take place W/C 2nd of May with interview dates to be confirmed. All interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. 

RESERVE LIST: 
 
In the event that we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade. Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Due to the length of time CTC checks can take, our HR Shared Services team will contact reserve list candidates for London based roles to commence CTC checks. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact recruitment@levellingup.gov.uk to be removed from the reserve list. 

CTC (Counter-terrorism Clearance): 

Important note 

 
Successful candidates for roles based in our 2 Marsham Street building must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check and the process can take up to 8 weeks to complete. 
 
Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Please refer to the DLUHC Notes on Security Clearance section of our Candidate Pack for further information on Counter Terrorism Clearance (CTC). Thank you. 
 
Candidates should also note that with effect from 1st August 2018 the department will also check all applicants who are successful at interview, against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) held by the Cabinet Office. In accordance with the Civil Service Internal Fraud Policy, any applicant who is included on the IFD will be refused employment by DLUHC. Please see the Candidate Pack for further information on the Internal Fraud Database. 

Candidate Pack Information 

Please see attached Candidate pack for further information. 

Before starting your application it’s very important to make sure that you are eligible to apply and meet the Civil Service nationality requirements. All candidates are expected to read the information provided in the DLUHC candidate pack regarding nationality requirements and rules 

Internal Fraud Database 

The Internal Fraud function of the Fraud, Error, Debt and Grants Function at the Cabinet Office processes details of civil servants who have been dismissed for committing internal fraud, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned. The Cabinet Office receives the details from participating government organisations of civil servants who have been dismissed, or who would have been dismissed had they not resigned, for internal fraud. In instances such as this, civil servants are then banned for 5 years from further employment in the civil service. The Cabinet Office then processes this data and discloses a limited dataset back to DLUHC as a participating government organisations. DLUHC then carry out the pre employment checks so as to detect instances where known fraudsters are attempting to reapply for roles in the civil service. In this way, the policy is ensured and the repetition of internal fraud is prevented.  

For more information please see- Internal Fraud Register 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals

• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland

• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service

• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service

• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name :Ellen Migo

• Email :ellen.migo@levellingup.gov.uk