Psychometric Analyst

Job summary

This is an exciting time to join our Occupational Psychology Services (OPS) team - part of the Recruitment Directorate in Government People Group in Cabinet Office - as we seek to update and expand our services.

Government People Group

Government People Group (GPG) is the strategic and functional centre for the Government People Function and human resources (HR) in the Civil Service.

Led by the Joint Interim Government Chief People Officers, Caitlin Kinsella and Janette Durbin, we enable and improve the delivery of recruitment, training, workplace policy, HR strategy and management excellence to over half a million civil servants.

From recruitment to retirement, GPG is at the forefront of working with ministers and departments to ensure the Civil Service is equipped to deliver for UK citizens. Some of our work includes:

• Leading on cross-government HR strategy, organisation design and workforce planning.
• Procuring and delivering training and development schemes for the Civil Service.
• Delivering recruitment services, guidance and expertise to departments.
• Coordinating and advising departments on pay, pensions and employee policy.
• Setting standards and guidance for line managers and senior civil servants.
• Coordinating the implementation of the Shared Services Strategy for Government.
• Enhancing employee experience to promote an engaged workforce and culture of performance excellence.

Civil Service People Plan 2024-27

A shared aim of all civil servants working in the Government People Function is to support the delivery of the Civil Service People Plan 2024-2027.

The People Plan outlines five People Priorities for the Civil Service, alongside 45 commitments to address our most pressing and immediate people challenges. Departmental plans and strategies also align with and contribute towards the People Plan.

Job description

Our Vision

To embed best practice occupational psychology insights and solutions to support the future of the Civil Service, through delivery of high quality psychometric tests and assessments.

Our Priorities

• To be at the leading edge of assessment and selection techniques and digital developments.
• To develop our services through evidence-based research and analysis.
• To ensure diversity and inclusion is embedded in all our activities.
• To provide a seamless and flexible customer experience.
• To meet business requirements with efficient, effective and value for money solutions.
• To provide a great and evolving candidate journey.

Our Service

Acting as an internal consultancy to all of the Civil Service, we collaborate with government departments, functions and professions to develop and deliver high quality, customer-focused assessment products and solutions grounded in occupational psychology and psychometrics. Our services aim to help identify and develop the best people from all backgrounds, including the Civil Service’s prestigious talent programmes.

We also place ourselves at the forefront of assessment innovation, and are actively creating a growing range of evidence-based psychological assessment tools.

You will be joining a high performing multi-disciplinary team of occupational psychologists, psychometricians and digital experts who use evidence-based practice to put the client and user at the heart of what they do. We are a team that embraces innovation to deliver better results, improved efficiency and added value, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

If you are passionate about applying psychology and psychometrics in the workplace to really add value across a wide and varied agenda, then we really want to hear from you!

The Psychometric Analyst will contribute to the development and maintenance of assessments using the most appropriate psychometric approaches. They will be part of managing the day to day availability and integrity of the assessments and analytical function to ensure delivery is according to agreed standards. They will work with the Lead Psychometrician in developing new content, carrying out Subject Matter Expert reviews, content trialling as well as in assembly and implementation of test products. They will also work with the Lead Psychometrician to research and analyse new innovations and products, carrying out in-depth statistical evaluations.

The Psychometric Analyst will work very closely with a multi-disciplinary digital team operating an agile project management approach, so will work in an agile way in assessment development and evaluation, in the design and implementation of user interface and test assembly.

We have monthly meetings located in our offices nationally and occasional travel within the UK will be a requirement of the role.

Assessment Design, Trialling and Evaluation

• Evaluate and contribute to assessment blueprints to establish the most appropriate psychometric solution;
• Under the direction of the Lead Psychometrician, translating the blueprints into a workable trialling approach (involving trial design, test construction, trialling implementation and data capture);
• Use offline processes and online assessment platforms to implement and support delivery of assessment solutions; working with digital, data assurance and diversity colleagues to ensure new assessments are psychometrically sound, compliant, fair and meet customer and user needs;
• Arrange for accurate data capture for assessment analyses;
• Match data and validate its integrity;
• Apply statistical methods, including Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory analyses to assessment and research data;
• Manage multiple assessment projects at all stages of the test development cycle;
• Work with customers to ensure best practice use of assessments to support client decision making including pass-mark setting, moderation processes, and reducing risk of adverse impact;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of assessment solutions by identifying appropriate statistical methods/techniques and interrogation of data to ensure they are robust, fair, reliable and valid (e.g. differential item functioning, predictive validity, adverse impact analysis).

Training and Development

• Keep up-to-date with the latest innovations in psychometrics and in particular recruitment testing;
• Develop standard tools for psychometric analyses and provide training to the wider team in their use.

Consultancy and Research

• Provide professional psychometric advice and guidance to clients and senior leaders to ensure adherence to industry best practice and the highest data ethical standards;
• Represent the Occupational Psychology Service Team and act as an Ambassador for the service at working groups, committees and other forums, within Government People Group (GPG) and across government to inform policy and operations;
• Work with the Lead Psychometrician to research new and emerging assessment methods/processes; set up and conduct detailed studies to explore their impact and efficacy and identify and implement workable solutions;
• Present and communicate analytical/research findings and proposals to customers, stakeholders and others, orally and in writing;
• Advise on delivery of user research, job analysis, online surveys and customer needs engagement initiatives.

Person specification

• Demonstrated experience in working with large-scale research and testing programmes and datasets, such as norm trialling, volume recruitment testing with large datasets;
• Strong data manipulation skills;
• Proficiency in learning new programming languages and analytical techniques;
• High attention to detail;
• Have strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and be able to explain complex information so others can easily understand;
• Able to manage and prioritise workload to meet changing demands and delivery targets;
• Effective in building and maintaining relationships, both with clients and colleagues;
• Proactive, taking ownership and accountability for decisions and commitments;
• Strong in creativity, producing new and original ideas and creating analytical outputs in novel and imaginative ways;
• Demonstrate persistence, achieving success by delivering despite obstacles or difficulties.

formal professional qualifications and memberships, or training and accreditations required of this role

• Degree educated in a numerate discipline with a strong training background in statistics;
• Have excellent knowledge of SPSS (including writing own syntax, such as using Python) or another statistical programming language such as R;
• Have good knowledge of Excel for data management;
• Have in-depth knowledge and practical experience of test development theories and measurement models (Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory).

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Please submit a written response to “Evidence the depth of your knowledge of CTT and IRT including statistical programming language (e.g. SPSS, R, or others) for data manipulation” (in no more than 250 words words).
• Technical skill to be assessed: Acquiring data and understanding customer needs (GSG Competency Framework)
• Technical skill to be assessed: Data analysis (GSG Competency Framework)
• Technical skill to be assessed: Presenting and disseminating effectively (GSG Competency Framework)
• Technical skill to be assessed: Working with complex statistics
• Technical skill to be assessed: Conducting research and evaluation

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

• Please submit a written response to “Evidence the depth of your knowledge of CTT and IRT including statistical programming language (e.g. SPSS, R, or others) for data manipulation” (in no more than 250 words words).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,760, Cabinet Office contributes £12,677 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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.

Application process

Stage 1

Complete basic personal details and eligibility statements.

Stage 2

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. Further information on our tests can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/civil-service-online-tests. 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 26 February 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.

Stage 3

If you pass the test you will then automatically be invited to submit a full application form which includes:

1. A CV section setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements along with details of any relevant qualifications. You will not be sifted on your CV, as it will only be used if you are invited to interview.
2. Written responses to assess the technical skill “Evidence the depth of your knowledge of CTT and IRT including statistical programming language (e.g. SPSS, R, or others) for data manipulation”(250 words).

Selection process

A sift will be conducted on the written evidence of the technical skill (in depth knowledge of CTT and IRT including statistical programming). Candidates successful at the sift stage will be invited to attend a panel interview which will also include a presentation. The candidates will be assessed on the three statistical strands from the Government Statistician Group (GSG) competency framework, two additional technical skills (working with complex statistics and conducting research and evaluation), and the Working Together Civil Service Behaviour in the interview. Further details will be provided to candidates who are shortlisted in due course.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 2 March 2026

Expected interview date/s – w/c 16 March 2026

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for an interview.

Further Information

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

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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

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

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

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.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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.

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

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 cabinetofficerecruitment.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.

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

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.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 : Gaye Ildeniz
• Email : gaye.ildeniz@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.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 in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 (2) Opens in new window (docx, 94kB)