Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst

Job summary

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.

Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:

1. joining up public sector services
2. harnessing the power of AI for the public good
3. strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
4. elevating leadership and investing in talent
5. funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
6. committing to transparency and driving accountability

We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK’s geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.

We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.

The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.

Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

About the Geospatial Team

Geospatial data is location data, and it’s essential for public sector functionality and enabling our daily lives – from satellite imagery to country maps, and underground pipes. We get ambulances and firefighters the information they need to save lives, local governments the information they need to build housing, and councils the info they need to build roads and fix potholes.

The Geospatial Team’s aim is to kickstart economic growth and deliver better outcomes for citizens through wider use and adoption of location data and technologies. This means we:

• Provide strategic oversight of the geospatial ecosystem in the UK, setting geospatial strategy, policy and standards.
  
• Manage collective purchase agreements worth over £1bn for public sector access to geospatial data.
  
• Make targeted investments in data projects that accelerate innovation and adoption of geospatial data applications.

We have a dynamic, exciting and cutting-edge policy portfolio, with enthusiastic and energetic team members.

The Geospatial Team’s Analysis team

The Analysis team works at pace across a range of exciting projects that underpin the Geospatial Team’s policy and investment decisions, working on projects such as:

• Monitoring and evaluation of the National Underground Asset Register and upcoming enhancements of it – a digital map of underground pipes and cables that will revolutionise the way we install, maintain, operate and repair our buried infrastructure.
  
• Evaluation of the public sector’s largest investment in location data, the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement, which provides key data to over 6,000 public sector organisations across the country.
  
• Evaluation of a pilot to provide Earth Observation data to the public sector, transforming analysis in key policy areas including land use, environmental monitoring and emergency response.

These projects provide opportunities to explore challenging social research questions about user behaviour and the real-world impacts of government investment.

You will join the team at a critical time for the Geospatial Team as we evaluate the effectiveness of these high-profile projects.

About the Data Economy Directorate

The Data Economy Directorate's mission is to grow the UK data economy. The UK is one of the world's leading data economies, with significant opportunities to increase the use of data and AI across all sectors in a safe, trusted and responsible way. We work across government, industry and the wider public sector to maximise the value of data, support innovation and economic growth, and strengthen trust in the digital economy. Our work spans a wide range of areas, including data policy, data protection, international data flows, digital markets and geospatial data. This includes leading work to maximise the value and use of geospatial data across the UK.

About the role

We are looking for a highly motivated and driven HEO-level analyst to help deliver the Geospatial Team’s analytical work programme, supporting the use of geographic data to deliver better outcomes for citizens, and boost the UK economy.

The Analysis team is a multi-profession team made up of: 1x G6, 2x G7s and a mix of 4 HEOs and SEOs. Colleagues in the team have a range of analytical backgrounds and the team currently includes Economists and Social Researchers.

This role sits within the team’s Monitoring and Evaluation branch: this branch is responsible for monitoring and evaluating high profile and complex Geospatial programmes and providing wider social research support.

The role offers opportunities to work on a variety of programmes and with a diverse range of policy colleagues and stakeholders. Experience or knowledge of geospatial data is not required: the focus of this role is providing research and evaluation expertise to Geospatial Team programmes, and not conducting primary geospatial analysis.

This role would particularly suit a candidate from a social research or monitoring and evaluation background.

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to start on the bottom of the salary band.

Person specification

• Monitoring and evaluation: Supporting the establishment and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for our programmes and projects. This will include monitoring and evaluation of the collective purchase agreements that the Geospatial Team hold on behalf of the public sector, including programmes such as the National Underground Asset Register and Earth Observation. These and other evaluations will shape policy in this area, building the evidence base to support future contracts to be designed to best meet public sector needs. Your monitoring and evaluation work will directly inform significant future investment and you will have first-hand opportunities to shape policy.
  
• Scoping new analytical projects: Working closely with analytical and policy colleagues to develop new projects, including identifying and promoting appropriate methodologies.
  
• Managing analytical workstreams: With support from senior colleagues, proactive ownership of small workstreams or projects, with responsibility for project planning, ethical and risk management, representing your workstream to stakeholders, delivery of high-quality research findings etc.
  
• Providing analytical advice to support strategy and policy delivery: Working together with policy and delivery colleagues to shape and develop the Geospatial Team’s work priorities, delivering robust and convincing analytical evidence to shape the Team’s work.
  
• Stakeholder engagement and management: Identifying and engaging with cross-government and external stakeholders on collaborative projects, while also building strong working relationships internally with multiple policy teams within the Geospatial Team. Work collaboratively with stakeholders and suppliers to quality assure research outputs, ensuring clarity, methodological robustness and alignment with programme objectives.
  
• Supporting the delivery of business cases and impact assessments across the Geospatial Team’s investment portfolio: Working with other team members to ensure that projects are appropriately scoped, planned and cost justified from the outset.

Essential Criteria

We are looking for individuals with the following attributes, skills and experience:

• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles as per the UK Government’s Magenta Book guidance on evaluation (for example, understanding process, impact and value for money evaluation and relevant methods).
  
• Experience using a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and ability to synthesise complex data and findings into actionable insights and evidence-based recommendations.
  
• Ability to apply monitoring and evaluation evidence to complex policy questions, supporting important decision-making in rapidly evolving legislative and delivery landscapes.
  
• Ability to work autonomously and proactively, managing small analytical workstreams or defined tasks, delivering high‑quality outputs to deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
  
• Ability to develop effective relationships with varying stakeholders, and distil and communicate analytical concepts and arguments for a wide variety of audiences.

Desirable Criteria

• Track record of designing and conducting evaluations for large-scale and/or complex programmes.
  
• Experience contributing to business cases, economic appraisals or impact assessments.
  
• Experience supporting public policy development

The role is reserved for badged Government analytical professions: Government Statistician Group (GSG), Government Economic Service (GES), Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Operational Research Service (GORS). Candidates who are not members must be eligible and willing to take the tests to become a member. Those wishing to apply to either the Government Statistician Group or Government Social Research Service will need to sit online tests as part of the application process.

It is currently not possible to join the GES profession at HEO grade via open recruitment. All candidates applying as GES must already be badged members of the profession.

Memberships

You must be able to demonstrate that a) you satisfy the eligibility criteria and b) have the competence, at the required grade for one of the analytical professions.
It is currently not possible to join the GES profession at HEO grade via open recruitment.
Eligibility requirements of the analytical professions can be found here:

Government Social Research Service:
•For qualification route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2. The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one-third of modules taken in the course).
•For professional experience route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent, plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team.

Government Statistician Group:
A first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography,) or a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography)
Or you can apply if you have achieved a Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship or have achieved a Level 4 Data Analytics apprenticeship and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development via a logbook that has been signed off by an existing member of the GSG profession in the role of manager or mentor, covering 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government
Or you can apply if you have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of two years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

GORS:

•You must have, or expect to have, a 2:1 or higher degree or degree apprenticeship in a highly numerate degree subject; or you must have, or expect to have, a 2:2 or higher degree and a highly numerate postgraduate degree.
Professional competency frameworks can be found here:

•Government Operational Research Service -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gors-technical-framework
•Government Statistician Group -https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-fr…
•Government Social Research Service -https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-f…
•Government Economic Service -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
More Information: You can find more information and descriptions of the Civil Service Behaviours here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-pro…

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Analysis of data (GES), Data analysis (GSG), Technical skills (GSR), Knowledge and application (GORS)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,735, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £10,642 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).

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.

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.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to explain how you meet the essential criteria for the role. In this statement, you must also state which one of the four government analytical professions you are applying for or are already a member of.

Please note - the CV incorporated into the application form is for information purposes only and will not be scored.

Applications will be sifted on a personal statement and any technical skills required.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement only.

The interview will consist of behaviour and technical questions.

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.

Candidates will be assessed against the technical/competency framework for the analytical profession they are a member of (or are applying for). Professional competency frameworks can be found here:

• Government Operational Research Service
• Government Statistician Group
• Government Social Research Service
• Government Economic Service

For GSG, candidates will be tested against all three statistical strands: data analysis, acquiring data & understanding customer needs, and presenting & disseminating data effectively.

Shortly after the advert closing date, you will be invited to complete the GSR online Knowledge Test.

This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by the advised deadline if your application is to be considered for the next stage of the process.

Please ensure you inform us in your application's Reasonable Adjustments information section if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Further Information

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.

We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

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

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

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

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Candidates who meet the minimum benchmark may be placed on a Reserve List for consideration for similar roles, including those at a lower grade. Candidates who narrowly miss the benchmark and are not placed on the Reserve List may still be considered for an offer in a similar role at a lower grade.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 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.

DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

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

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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 : Rachel Hooley
• Email : Rachel.Hooley@dsit.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance DSITrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk . If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.

Attachments

DSIT T&Cs v1.2 (5) Opens in new window (docx, 179kB)