Senior Business Analyst

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers with a vision to be a world-leading provider of public sector valuations. Our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across England and Wales.

We champion the values of professionalism, integrity, respect and innovation. We are committed to providing a collaborative and supportive working environment that encourages every colleague to contribute, grow and excel together. With opportunities to drive your own development and growth, we empower our colleagues to succeed by ensuring support at every step of their career journey.

Job description

Role Overview

Innovation is crucial to VOA. It shapes how the Agency can continue to deliver world-class valuations, provide an excellent customer experience, and be a great place to work. You will be joining at an exciting time to help the Agency utilise its data to deliver more. Our unit has a focus on learning & development and exploring emerging opportunities. We have an open transparent culture based on collective responsibility and accountability, where all teams are focused on delivering practical solutions with a demonstrable benefit for the Agency and its customers. We support each other, we help each other, and we learn from each other.

This role sits within the Project Management team of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Operations unit, a diverse multi-disciplinary team at the centre of VOA’ Digital Transformation supporting operational teams across the business to tackle real operational problems with a measurable impact. We have bold plans to unlock the value of data in the Valuation Office Agency, and you will be at the heart of this, contributing to the team’s vision of finding practical solutions to solve operational problems utilising data science, artificial intelligence and the Power Platform.

The Project Management team is responsible for facilitating the innovation process within the unit together with technical experts, from generating ideas to piloting them, validating the impact and scaling up and monitoring successful solutions.

As a Senior Business Analyst, you’ll be supporting the Lead Project Manager in understanding user and business needs to define problem statements and user requirements, lead conversations with technical experts to analyse potential solution designs to form recommendations and work with stakeholders to validate and monitor benefits realisation.

We want to hear from people who:

• Have a drive to innovate and improve.
• Thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy working across boundaries to achieve a common goal.
• Have enthusiasm for what they do and want to make positive change.
• Actively support their team and help them develop and grow.
• Demonstrate the tenacity and pragmatism needed to see things through to completion.

“I am passionate and excited to see the difference our unit can make through digital innovation with data science, AI and Power Platform. I want us to help operational staff focus their efforts in high-value activities, and to work together with them to innovate new, better ways of working. If you have the enthusiasm for automation and problem solving, business analysis and technology, and their role in supporting impactful change, I want to hear from you. As we are building a new delivery model for data and digital innovation, this will be an excellent opportunity for you to make your mark and have excellent learning opportunities for your skills development and future career prospects.” Emmi Yla-Pynnonen, Head of Data Science and AI Enablement

Key responsibilities

• Own and manage stakeholder relationships at varying levels of seniority with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Work in an Agile way, utilise project management tools to lead projects and help the team to manage the best approach.
• Use analysis to identify problems and opportunities, provide recommendations to ensure the proposed solution aligns with the business and user requirements.
• Lead in defining user requirements, provide insight on the approach to solutions and recommend how this can meet business and user needs.
• Lead on solution design and manage the outcomes.
• Apply methods and tools to ensure successful change with measurable benefits, lead the team to implementation and provide acceptance criteria to validate the solutions.
• Lead on the identification of IT system capabilities, use analysis to identify gaps and implement changes alongside digital and analytical professionals.

Person specification

We are looking for a proactive self-starter who can engage senior stakeholders, identify needs, break down business problems, and manage effective solutions. The successful candidate will lead collaboration and maintain clear communication to support the design, build, and delivery of user-focused outcomes.

The ideal candidate will drive innovation, thrive in collaborative environments, and bring enthusiasm for positive change. They will support team development, foster growth, and demonstrate the tenacity and pragmatism needed to see projects through to completion.

Essential Requirements

• Experience of Business analysis or using Analysis skills in a similar environment.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplined team within digital & data or analytical environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of analysis and/or project management tools and techniques.
• Have a solution focused approach with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Able to solve problems in an efficient and effective manner.
• Considerable professional working experience of building and maintaining positive relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of different project methodologies e.g. Agile/waterfall.
• Knowledge of any of the following: data science, artificial intelligence and Power Platform.

Behaviours

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,987, Valuation Office Agency contributes £12,743 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We offer a range of flexible working options, a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days (increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.) and a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Family friendly policies including 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering comprehensive wellbeing support.
• To learn more about the extensive benefits we can offer you as a VOA employee please download our Benefits Booklet: VOA_benefits_booklet.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

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 and Experience.

If you can meet our person requirements above, we are keen to hear from you.

To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following:

A CV setting out your Job History.

A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words) please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the ‘Essential Requirements’ and ‘Person Specification’ outlined in the advert when providing your answer.

Sift - 30th January 2026. Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.

We will assess you on your CV & Personal Statement.

Should there be a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be made on Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Interviews - 16th February 2026. Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview.

Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.

We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, Strengths and a Presentation.

At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.

Behaviours

The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.

You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.

You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.

When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on.

Presentation

You will also be required to conduct a Presentation. Information on the presentation topic will be provided to you if you are shortlisted for interview.

Application Hints and Tips

For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about what’s involved in the application process please visit About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

Further Information

On 28th April 2025 it was announced that the Valuation Office would become part of HMRC. The announcement means that our work and anyone who is an employee of the Valuation Office will transfer over to HMRC by the end of March 2026. The terms and conditions you will be employed under will not be affected on transfer to HMRC.

As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 2 options. Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only.

Successful candidates must select one of the locations noted in this advert as their base office and will be expected to undertake regular travel to this location under the Agency’s hybrid working policy.

Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Canary Wharf location will not appear on the list of options.

Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets.

Any move to VOA 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

The VOA is an office-based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work they’re doing that day and where it’s best done.

VOA employees only: If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for. Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.

This post is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish Citizen, under the EU settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for this post in relation to the Skilled Worker Visa route before applying.

To be eligible for sponsorship you will usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of £38700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria.

Ensure you are eligible before applying for this post.

You can also contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk for further support.

Pre-employment Checks

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Reasonable Adjustment

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application please

• Click here for more information: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
• Contact voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
• 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.

Terms & Conditions

Voluntary terms apply.

Reserve Lists

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 3-month reserve list as standard.

During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order.

Starting Work

The successful candidate will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.

Applying

All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.

Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

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

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

Concerns/Complaints

The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address: resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.

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.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 : Francesca Tallant
• Email : francesca.tallant@voa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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