Principal Analyst

Job summary

Do you enjoy working in a research and analytical role developing policy‑relevant evidence and insights related to the natural environment, drawing on scientific evidence and collaborating with experts, universities, and research centers to understand environmental processes, changes, and trends?

Can you summarise that information into clear, accessible reports for Ministers, Parliament and the public?

If so, then we want to hear from you.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) mission is to protect and improve the natural environment. Established by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold government and public bodies in England and Northern Ireland to account. We do this in several ways including reporting on progress towards environmental commitments, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public, which can lead to us investigating and taking enforcement action.

This role is based within the OEP’s Insights Directorate which leads on progressing our strategic objective of holding governments to account for delivery of environmental goals and targets, in accordance with Environmental Improvement Plans. The scope of our work is broad and the OEP’s priority areas over the next three years are improving nature on land and at sea, clean water, planning and effective governance; as well as developing our work on the circular economy and waste and chemical regulation. Alongside analysing and commissioning scientific evidence on the natural environment, understanding policy is a key aspect of assessing how government is addressing its commitments and meeting its targets.

Through our Environmental Improvement Plan monitoring and reporting, we analyse and comment on government’s progress. We make recommendations on how progress could be improved across environmental goals, and plans. We also provide advice on the adequacy of environmental monitoring.

With a total staff of approximately 90, the OEP is a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, impactful work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.

The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland. We operate independently from government, including Defra and DAERA, and we are not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants.

Job description

As a Principal Analyst, the post holder will be expected primarily to support our strategic objective of sustained environmental improvement, where Government is held to account for delivery of environmental goals and targets, and its plans for environmental improvement.

The role holder will have experience within complex policy environments, navigating competing government priorities and delivering robust analysis in situations marked by ambiguity and change. They will show strong organisational and political awareness, with the ability to anticipate impacts and adapt approaches to ensure effective outcomes.

They will focus on scrutiny of EIPs and statutory targets in England and Northern Ireland. They will lead on developing and implementing prospective assessment methodologies. The role will also include critical appraisal and reporting in selected areas of the natural environment, including what progress is being achieved, what is holding back progress and recommendations on how progress and prospects can be improved.

The OEP takes an issue-based approach. Therefore, in addition to their main role to support our objective of sustained environmental improvement, the post holder will input into the wider strategic objectives of the organisation, in particular where this aligns with subject matter expertise, experience and work being undertaken through the scrutiny of EIPs.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly and lead analysis and insights across OEP functions and across a range of themes or subjects, and develop expertise accordingly. Key areas we expect the role-holder will lead on include:

• Provide leadership in the planning, management and delivery of aspects of the OEP’s approach to scrutinising Environmental Improvement Plan’s (EIPs) and targets, in particular prospective assessments.
• Lead the critical appraisal, synthesis, and integration of knowledge, evidence, and analysis to inform independent, high-impact assessments.
• Drive continuous improvement. Anticipate risks, develop creative solutions to novel challenges, and ensure outputs are robust and evidence-based.
• Oversee and quality-assure content for the OEP’s annual EIP progress report. Deliver inputs as required and support the development of key messages and recommendations.
• Commission and manage external science and evidence research contracts to support the development of the assessment approach and evidence base to support reporting and recommendations to government.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including government officials, external experts, and cross-government networks.
• Support wider OEP functions and thematic programmes, including cross-functional and issue-based activities. For example, the development of briefings to the OEP Executive and Chair, technical inputs into the monitoring of environmental law, providing analytical support when reviewing complaints and undertaking investigations. Deputise for senior colleagues as required and foster a culture of excellence and collaboration.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website

Person specification

The role holder will be responsible for further developing and implementing our methodological approach to the assessment of the prospects of achieving EIP goals and statutory targets in England and Northern Ireland. To perform their role effectively, the role holder must have a breadth and depth of expertise, management, leadership and communication skills and capability. In particular:

• Capability in using a variety of methodologies to assess progress, with a strong emphasis on futures thinking and foresight approaches.

• Ability to think and operate strategically, ensuring that assessments critically appraise and synthesise available knowledge, evidence and analysis to inform independent reporting.

• Use of sound judgement and critical thinking to analyse and tackle complex issues, in novel or ambiguous situations, at pace. Including demonstrable ability to apply skills and knowledge gained in their area of expertise, and the principles and methods, to a different (possibly unfamiliar) environmental area.

• Experience of delivering complex analysis in high-impact environments—clearly and confidently communicating findings both verbally and in writing to diverse audiences, including executive directors, parliamentarians, and other senior stakeholders—and providing environmental science advice to senior management with a proven ability to influence, negotiate, and deliver results.

• Experience in managing resources, including budgets and external contracts, and delivering results through others including coordinating inputs from external technical experts.

• Act independently within broad guidelines while ensuring collaboration with colleagues and appropriate level of oversight by senior staff.

• Building and maintaining constructive relationships across boundaries and networks. Act as the main point of contact in the role holder’s responsible area, leading on integration of analysis, with input from internal functions, government departments and wider external stakeholders. Act as the main point of contact for the role based work with junior grades.

• Effective team management and leadership by motivating and guiding team members, fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and proactively adapting strategies and managing risks to meet shifting priorities and demands across diverse projects.

The following experience is desirable though not essential. Training and support will be provided to develop these skills once in role:

• Experience of applying futures thinking and foresight approaches in real-world practice.

• Experience with the development of analytical approaches to assess sectoral pathways and action plans.

• Experience of responsibility for drafting sections of published high impact environmental reports, particularly reports relating to government policy-making or academic research.

Qualifications

Degree level qualification in a relevant environmental science, social science or environmental economics discipline, or equivalent experience.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Developing and implementing prospective assessment methodologies to monitor the progress targets and plans.
• Ability to collect, analyse, interpret and present evidence from a range of sources to enable policy relevant recommendations.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,470, Office for Environmental Protection contributes £15,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Leave and Flexible Working

The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.

Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.

The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.

Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme

The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.

The OEP has a quarterly ‘In-year Bonus Scheme’ where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.

Learning and Development

The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.

Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.

Staff Wellbeing

Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
• Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
• Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
• Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.

Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits

All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.

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.

Contract

This role is being offered either on a permanent basis or as a secondment for a maximum of two years. If taken on a secondment basis, the applicant will remain an employee of their home organisation for the duration of the secondment.

Application Process

The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.

When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history and a 750 word statement of suitability answering the following question:

"Describe how you meet the skills and experience in the person specification, using examples to illustrate your experience. In particular, we would like you to provide evidence on the following:

• Capability in using a variety of methodologies to assess progress, with a strong emphasis on futures thinking and foresight approaches.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will focus on this element.”

The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education.

Further details are provided on the application form.

Sift

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will focus on the focus element highlighted in the personal statement question.Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will be conducted and applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.

Interview and ID Verification

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours, and Technical elements.

At interview, you may be required to complete an additional exercise. If this is required, details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.

Interviews will be held online using MS Teams.

Appointments

All appointments will be made in merit order.

Identification

Candidates will need to bring ID to interview for verification in person. Human Resources will contact you to advise what ID you need to bring.

Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.

Near Miss Appointments

On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.

Salary

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

Location and Office Attendance

All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland. This role is based in either Northern Ireland or Worcester.

All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces a blended working model and supports a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. Our current office attendance approach requires 40% attendance in one of the OEP offices or on official OEP business at offsite meetings with partners and customers. This approach enables thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.

If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office.

Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, it’s envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working.

If the candidate is an internal candidate, they will be applying for the role at the advertised location. TUPE restrictions may apply.

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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.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.

Accessibility

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

Criminal Record Check

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

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers

Any move to the OEP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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.

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 : OEP Recruitment
• Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk

Further information

Complaints If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the OEP via email: recruitment@theoep.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the OEP, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

OEP Candidate Pack Mar26 Opens in new window (pdf, 2247kB)