Product Analyst

Job summary

Do you enjoy turning complex datasets into meaningful insight that shapes strategic, operational and service‑delivery decisions across an organisation?
Are you motivated by working with diverse stakeholders to modernise data processes, develop impactful reporting, and drive continuous improvement through better use of information?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

Job description

If you enjoy delivering projects, bringing together and analysing multiple sources of data and information to understand delivery positions, interpreting data and management information (MI) and working with a broad range of stakeholders, this role may be right for you.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Product Analyst to join our Data and Information Unit. You will play a pivotal role in promoting and supporting the delivery of the Agency’s Vision, Mission and strategic objectives, by providing support and development for the delivery of services and projects within your area of responsibility, ensuring the implementation of policies and operational procedures and their effective management.

Using your specialist knowledge and experience you will help ensure that the Agency uses the right data in the right way and continues to grow its analytical capabilities, provide APHA wide expertise in relation to data analysis, insight, and intelligence and proactively identify opportunities where data, insight and intelligence can add value to the organisation and drive forward decision making and growth.

You will be working alongside specialists and IT professionals in a programme of work aiming to modernise the collection, sharing and use of various data sources in preparedness for producing agency wide performance and scorecard MI reports, with associated insights and visualisations.

You will liaise with a wide range of stakeholders across APHA and Defra as well as other colleagues across the Data and Information Unit, to understand requirements regarding available data and visualisation, and implement and maintain the relevant data processes and outputs. In addition, you will support the development of internal and external automated reporting solutions to ensure information is easily interpreted and used to improve services, reflecting the needs of all stakeholders.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Leadership and Management

• Provide day to day management within the data insight team, working to develop new and unique data insights for the organisation.
• Manage and co-ordinate work across function or geographic locations, as required, ensuring alignment with the Agency’s strategic objectives and goals.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Play a key role in the development, production and analysis of high quality, accurate and timely data, intelligence, and management information that informs decision making and drives great outcomes.
• Develop processes and standards to track and analyse data and produce reports, highlighting and anticipating issues and opportunities.
• Use high-quality delivery data to support decision-making for effective operational, scientific and policy decisions in a timely fashion; to inform both short- and medium-term strategic plans.
• Co-ordinate reporting across APHA to support analysis of performance.
• Engage with a wide range of stakeholders to accurately report on performance information, ensuring qualitative and quantitative reporting are aligned and if not, use one to inform the other.
• Ensure that the right data is available at the right time, in the right format for all established and agreed responsibilities and that it is clear across programmes of work.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work collaboratively with team members and other departments to achieve common goals, developing and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment with APHA’s objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of engagement and communication plans, as required.
• Communicate analysis with impact, building effective working relationships with senior policy, operational, scientific and delivery colleagues, other analytical professions.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead on work to support data analysis process improvements for APHA dashboards.
• Review existing and embrace / promote new systems, processes and ways of working, ensuring harmonisation across APHA and the wider Defra group, where appropriate.
• Utilising continuous improvement working practices, identify opportunities for process improvements and implement changes to enhance service delivery.

Person specification

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Experience working in a data analysis role or environment, developing, transforming and analysing data to support effective decision‑making and drive business impact.
• Proven capability in building robust, scalable data and semantic models, dashboards and management information, including experience in large, complex organisations and use of best‑practice reporting approaches.
• Strong technical expertise in data platforms and tools, including Power Platform (Power BI and Power Automate), Fabric, Azure Synapse Analytics, and coding skills in DAX, SQL, M and Python.
• Good understanding of modern data architectures and pipelines, including medallion architectures, data transformation processes, and preparation of data for visualisation.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and judgement skills, able to interpret complex information, deliver results efficiently in fast‑paced environments, and apply balanced, evidence‑based decision‑making.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to translate technical analysis into clear insights, briefings and advice for non‑technical and senior audiences.
• Experience reviewing, improving and implementing systems, processes and ways of working, underpinned by an understanding of continuous improvement practices and organisational context.
• Well‑organised, adaptable and detail‑focused, able to manage competing priorities, embrace change, apply good UX principles, and maintain high standards of delivery.

Learning and Development

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.

In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA.

Qualifications

Educated to HNC level or equivalent and / or equivalent professional experience in a similar environment.

Behaviours

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

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

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• Understanding of how data is structured in Power BI models.
• Awareness of data relationships and their potential impact on reporting.
• Foundational knowledge of how analytical calculations are created in Power BI using DAX.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,715, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £8,608 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Further benefits offered also include:

• 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 tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.

These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.

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, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1

Application Process

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 12th May 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 12th May 2026.

While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits; for further information visit the Reasonable adjustments for online tests - a candidate guide

There will be maintenance for online tests on Sunday 3 May - 4pm to midnight and Sunday 10 May - midday to 1pm. This means you will be unable to access the online tests between these times. Your progress will be saved, and you will be able to continue once the tests are available again.

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.

You will also be required to complete the following as part of your application:

• A CV submitted through an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite; there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.

• A 750-word Personal Statement.

• A Behaviour statement of 250-words for the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving, following the Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for EO positions.

CV Guidance

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your Personal Statement and scored against the essential criteria.

Personal Statement Guidance

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Person Specification thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the key personal qualities and experiences that align with the criteria. Consider the Person Specification and look to demonstrate how your previous experience may align with the expectations and be applicable to the role. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. In particular, please include specific examples of when you have:

• Created a dashboard using a star schema and coded in Power Query using M and Power BI using DAX.
• Adhered to the data analytics cycle and delivered analysis that met customer requirements.
• Overcome the challenge of accessing, manipulating and presenting complex data from multiple sources.

We encourage you to use the full 750-word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed.

You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several essential criteria.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Behaviour Statement for the Lead Behaviour, Changing and Improving.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift and/or progressed straight to interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

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

Stage 2

Preparing for the interview

During the interview you will be assessed based on:

• The Behaviours specified in the Job Advert, following the Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for EO positions.
• The Technical Skill outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Technical - GOV.UK framework.
• A selection of Strength based questions related to the role requirements. Following the Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK framework. There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
• Your previous experiences relevant to the role requirements outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK framework.

If you are selected for interview, you will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account.

Upon receiving the interview invitation, please log into the system to schedule your interview slot in advance.

Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams, and a link will be provided in your interview invitation.

The interview

The interview will follow a blended approach and will last approximately 45 minutes.

A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach.

The Strength and Behaviour based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.

Behavioural questions will explore what you have done in previous jobs or experiences as well as what you have achieved and/or learned.

Strength questions will explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.

This is an example of a strengths-based question:

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

Technical questions will explore your technical knowledge in specific areas.

After the interview

Once all the interviews have been conducted, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are successful at the interview stage, we will be in touch to offer you a role. Offers will be made in merit order.

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

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake, please contact us via: recruitment.sdd@apha.gov.uk using the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’

Reserve List

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

Near Miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary

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

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location (excluding Northern Ireland) and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

For most candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisation allocations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies.

Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site.

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 defrarecruitment.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.

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

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.

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

Internal Fraud Database Check

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.

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.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

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

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA 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.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 (ope