Head of Migration Analysis and Data, Migration Advisory Committee

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Migration, Borders and International Policy and Programmes Group is responsible for policy, legislation and reform of the immigration systems and acts as a centre for excellence to deliver international interventions and engagement. This work touches many of the most high-profile policy areas for the Home Office, including asylum, migration, nationality, extradition, citizens’ rights, borders and international criminality.

Established in 2007, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, non-statutory, advisory, non-departmental public body that is helped shape both immigration policy and the wider debate in the UK, around economic migration. We do high profile and evidence-based work. Examples of the MAC's work can be found on our website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/migration-advisory-committee

The MAC is made up of leading academics with a background in migration and is chaired by Dr Madeleine Sumption. The Committee are supported by a permanent civil service secretariat of around 30 people, who form a multi-disciplinary team with a mix of analytical and policy backgrounds. The secretariat runs the affairs of the Committee, including carrying out detailed analytical and policy work across Government and beyond to ensure that policy and strategy in relation to migration is based on the best possible evidence and analysis.

Job description

This post provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to apply economics to solving real world problems in a high-profile area, work with leading academics, gain experience of the policy development process and develop strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

This role offers the post holder the time and the space to think deeply about the dynamics of migration, apply analytical skills and build team capability. Additionally, the post holder will play an influential role in the development of MAC recommendations on UK migration policy and will help deliver cutting-edge research to advance the evidence base on migration. The MAC work programme is made up of high-profile reviews commissioned by Home Office ministers and additional research projects agreed by the Committee. This gives space to identify strategic and topical issues, and develop the evidence base in these areas.

Key responsibilities

• Direct line management of around five Grade 7s, with responsibility of leading a team of around twelve analysts, including economists and social researchers. Creating a positive team culture and supporting staff development.
• Provide leadership and oversight of MAC reviews and projects focused on analysis of visa routes (previous examples include the Family Route Financial Requirements Review, and the MAC’s fiscal modelling). Oversee the strategic direction and production of MAC reports, ensuring the work is fit for purpose, high quality and effectively contributes to migration policy decisions. Provide thought-leadership to link the evidence to live policy questions.
• Act as a primary point of contact for the MAC Chair and Committee and be responsible for ensuring the work of the team meets their needs during MAC meetings and throughout production of reports.
• Collaborate effectively with other teams across the Secretariat to deliver MAC reviews, drawing on a range of expertise across professions and from a diverse set of external stakeholders.
• Drive the agenda on improving data on migration, ensuring the MAC have access to new data to do innovative analysis and bring creativity in developing data in the longer term.
• Develop effective working relationships across the Home Office and other government departments ensuring team members are linked into current policy changes and developments in migration analysis.
• As part of Senior Management Team (SMT) in the MAC Secretariat, contributing to the functioning of the wider team and demonstrating leadership across corporate issues.

Although the MAC itself is an independent body, the post-holder will become part of the Home Office’s analytical community and have full access to career, networking and development opportunities available to Home Office analysts.

Travel

Occasional travel may be required to other work locations within the UK according to business needs and may include overnight stays. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

Working Pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 28 hours per week due to business requirements. Applications from job share candidates are welcome, but any job offer is conditional upon a viable job-sharing arrangement being available.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• The post holder will need to be a fully badged Government Economic Service (GES) member or Government Social Research (GSR) member. If you are not already a member of GES or GSR, see the Membership section below.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management capability, with experience of setting clear direction in a changing environment and managing colleagues from a range of professional backgrounds and locations. Evidence of developing individuals and teams to build capability and performance.
• Strong analytical capability, with experience of delivering and leading teams that produce high‑quality quantitative analysis and research within agreed timescales. Ability to apply appropriate and innovative analytical approaches to complex policy or operational challenges.
• Experience of undertaking and overseeing analytical work using statistical or econometric software packages (such as R), with an understanding of quality assurance and analytical standards.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with experience of producing clear, accessible outputs and engaging constructively with a range of audiences and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain positive workingrelationships across organisational boundaries, working collaboratively and inclusively with stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of analysis on migration and labour markets.

Memberships

Open to existing badged members of Government Economics Service (GES) or Government Social Research (GSR) on promotion and level transfer.

If you are not currently a member of GES or GSR, you will be required to pass a GES or GSR badging board. This would be done after the initial interview process and only if you are successful at interview. Further information would be provided to candidates after interview. Failure to successfully pass the GES or GSR badging board will result in withdrawal of the offer.

You can only apply for this role if you are eligible to be a member of GES or GSR. The criteria to be eligible to become a member are set out below.

Applicants who are not currently badged and are applying with an economics background must have studied both micro and macroeconomics to qualify. You must also have at least one of the following:

• a first or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in economics;
• a first or upper second-class undergraduate honours joint economics degree, where at least 50% of the credit value of all modules studied is in economics;
• a postgraduate degree in economics.

Applicants who are not currently badged and are applying with a social research background must meet at least one of:

• social research expertise via relevant qualification – an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 with substantial social research methods training (details set out under 3.1 at this link Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK);
• professional experience route – an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at minimum of 2:2 with at least 4 years’ social research practice experience (details set out under 3.1 at this link Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK).

Qualifications

Applicants who are not currently badged and are applying with an economics background must have studied both micro and macroeconomics to qualify. You must also have at least one of the following:

• a first or upper second class undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in economics;
• a first or upper second class undergraduate honours joint economics degree, where at least 50% of the credit value of all modules studied is in economics;
• a postgraduate degree in economics.

Applicants who are not currently badged and are applying with a social research background must meet at least one of:

• social research expertise via relevant qualification – an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 with substantial social research methods training (details set out under 3.1 at this link Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK;
• professional experience route – an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at minimum of 2:2 with at least 4 years’ social research practice experience (details set out under 3.1 at this link Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Government Economics Service (GES) - Grade 6 level
• Government Social Research (GSR) - Grade 6 level

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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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, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.

After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the following Civil Service Numerical Test.

1. Online Test – by 14th May 2026

If you successfully pass the Civil Service Numerical Test, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the Civil Service test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The online tests are accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.

You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.

Please note: Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4 p.m. and Midnight on the 03/05/2026 and from midday to 1 p.m. on the 10/05/2026.You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

Following successful completion of your test, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.

2. Application – by 14th May 2026

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV
• Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

3. Sift – commencing 18th May 2026

The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of all the remaining elements submitted (CV). Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the initial sift will not have their remaining submitted elements scored and will only receive a sift score for that assessed at the initial sift.

4. Interview – commencing 9th June 2026

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Technical Skills based questions. All Behaviours listed in the selection process will be scored at the interview.

In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview.

The presentation will be assessed against 'Technical Skills'. If you are a member of Government Economics Service, the presentation will be assessed against Government Economics Service (GES) framework on Analysis of Data. If you are a member of Government Social Research, the presentation will be assessed against Government Social Research (GSR) framework on the Technical Skills.

The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews.

The interview will take place on MS Teams.

For guidance on the Technical skills, please refer to the Government Economics Service Technical Framework GES Technical Framework 2022 - GOV.UK

or Government Social Research Technical Framework The Government Social Research Technical Framework - GOV.UK

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Location Preferences

You can select up to twolocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred locations and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Additional Security Checks

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is Basic. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.

Further information

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.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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 criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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 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.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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
• Email : HORCCampaignTeamHSGPSGandMBG@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Candidate_Information_v17_April_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 207kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)