Business Analyst

Job summary

As part of the Forestry Commission (FC), Forest Services (FS) are the Government's forestry experts. We advise nationally and locally on how to unlock the full potential of woodlands and support the forestry sector to protect, improve and expand England's valuable woodland assets, ensuring they continue to provide benefits to people, the environment and the economy.

The Business Transformation and Major Programmes teams within FS are responsible for driving transformational change and continual business improvement. They include teams of change and project management professionals alongside development teams of business analysis professionals headed by Development Managers.

Business Analysts help identify improvements to business systems and processes, using evidence and analysis to identify those that will deliver the greatest benefits and value for money. They support the development of products and business change initiatives from inception through to delivery, working closely with project managers, change managers, technical specialists and business users.

Examples of recent projects include:

• A module for our Grants Management System to support the management of customer claims against the England Woodland Creation Offer grant.
• A workspace developed using Microsoft Power Automate tools to support technical review, advice and approvals for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier capital project plans.
• A Customer Engagement Tracking capability for our Grants Management System.

This position will require regular contact with or travel to Bristol.

Job description

As a Business Analyst you will facilitate the delivery of changes and improvements to business systems and processes. Working in close collaboration with colleagues across FS, you will use evidence and analysis to understand user and business needs and develop and implement improvements in a holistic way.

Your key work areas will vary depending on the project(s) you are assigned, but will generally consist of:

Business Analysis and Requirements Management

Working closely with colleagues to identify improvements to FS business processes, IT systems and services by:

• Employing a range of tools and techniques to gather business and user requirements against clearly defined project objectives.
• Employing a range of tools and techniques to map current ("As Is") and future ("To Be") business processes.
• Evaluating requirements against the current and target states, identifying what is required to bridge the gap.
• Working in partnership with technical colleagues to ensure business needs are translated into appropriate technical solutions.
• Ensuring solutions are delivered in accordance with recognised methodologies and standards (which may include Government Digital Service (GDS) standards where applicable).
• Identifying both quick wins and longer-term opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Undertaking ad hoc analysis requests from the business and recommending appropriate solutions.

Testing and Quality Assurance

• Supporting the planning, coordination and execution of testing activities across projects, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• Working with business users and delivery teams to define test scenarios, test cases and acceptance criteria.
• Supporting the identification, tracking and resolution of defects and issues.
• Helping ensure delivered solutions meet business requirements and are fit for purpose before implementation.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Undertaking basic data analysis to support business decision-making and service improvement.
• Producing reports, dashboards, metrics and management information to support project delivery and business performance monitoring.
• Interpreting and presenting data in a clear and accessible format for a range of stakeholders.
• Supporting benefits measurement and post-implementation evaluation activities where required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaising with key stakeholders across FC and the wider forestry sector.
• Representing the team at relevant groups, forums and networks.

Supplier and Delivery Support

• Representing the Development Team at business and supplier meetings.
• Helping suppliers understand business priorities and supporting the resolution of performance or service issues as appropriate.

Continuous Improvement and Professional Development

• Contributing to Development Team meetings and the continuous improvement of the Business Analysis profession within Forest Services.
• Taking responsibility for personal professional development.
• Promoting the value and benefits of business analysis best practice.

Person specification

ESSENTIAL

• Significant experience of working with business stakeholders and external suppliers/contractors to gather, analyse and document business requirements and identify appropriate solutions.
• Experience of translating evidence, analysis and user needs into practical recommendations and service improvements.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Experience of communicating progress, risks and issues to stakeholders using clear and effective communication.
• Experience of producing clear, concise and effective documentation for business audiences.
• Experience of analysing data and producing reports, dashboards or management information to support decision-making and service improvement.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience, with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Competent IT user with substantial experience of Microsoft Office products.
• A recognised Business Analysis qualification (such as BCS Diploma in Business Analysis) or equivalent experience, with willingness to undertake further professional development.

DESIRABLE

• Affiliation with a professional body such as the British Computer Society (BCS).
• Understanding of Government Digital Service (GDS) standards and approaches.
• Understanding of, or experience working within, the forestry or environmental sector.
• Experience of supporting business testing or User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities.
• Experience of working with reporting and visualisation tools such as Power BI or similar.
• Full current driving licence.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge and applicable understanding of formal methodologies and techniques for Business Analysis

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,388, Forestry Commission contributes £11,700 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 30th March 2027, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

1. A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and request: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, Full Qualification Details.
2. A personal statement – in no more than 750 words showing how you meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift will be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form

Interview

• Shortlisting to take place w/c 28th September 2026.
• Interviews to be carried out w/c 5th October 2026.

Please be aware dates may be subject to change for both sifting and interviews.

We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams or equivalent online communication methods. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry Commission 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.

Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non- disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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 the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : FS Recruitment
• Email : fs.recruitment@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.