Job summary
This vacancy is only for candidates who are not currently a member of the GSS.
If you are currently a member of the GSS/GES/GORS please apply to vacancy number 369712 (unbadged GES/GORS are also able to apply through the same vacancy number).
There are two posts available;
Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis and Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform.
Both posts are high profile analytical roles within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) offering the opportunity to lead influential pieces of economic analysis in the area of local government finance where annual expenditure is around �60bn.
The posts sit within the Local Policy Analysis (LPA) Division within the Analysis and Data Directorate of DLUHC. LPA is a multi-disciplinary team of around 40 economists, statisticians, operational and social researchers. LPA plays an instrumental role in the delivery of local public services with its analysis playing a critical role in the design and delivery of local government finance policies.
Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis
The post holder will lead analysis and the scrutiny of evidence on local authority productivity. This will include assessing the variation in local authority unit costs and variation in different outcome metrics. The post holder will also lead analysis on local authority efficiency and the potential impact of any future local authority restructuring.
Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform
The post holder will lead on a number of workstreams and have the opportunity to:
The post holder will lead on analysis to help deliver the Government�s manifesto commitments to reform business rates to rebalance the burden between high street and online retail, incentivise investment and tackle empty properties. The post holder will be responsible for costing changes to business rates reliefs and producing analysis of winners and losers. The post holder will also consider how changes to the tax will affect the way business rates funds local government services.
Job description
Head of Local Authority Productivity Analysis
The post holder will deliver influential analysis on several high profile workstreams including:
Analysing various data sources including outcome metrics and how these different data sources vary across local authorities; Developing analytical methods and applying analytical techniques to help assess local authority productivity changes in different service areas; Reviewing the evidence and producing analysis on local government efficiency; and Assessing the possible impacts from any potential future local government restructuring.
The post holder will be expected to use their analysis to help inform policy thinking on local government finance and will be critical in helping inform the assessment of the funding need of local government.
The post holder will have line management responsibility of 1 HEO analyst who will support the post holder on the above workstreams. The post holder can also expect to task manage other analysts within the division on particular projects.
Head of Business Rates Tax and Reform
Work closely with HMT and policy colleagues to develop BR tax policy to deliver on Ministerial priorities. Produce costings of tax changes at fiscal events for the Office for Budget Responsibility. Analytically test new policy to ensure that changes to the tax do not disadvantage the way local authorities are funded via business rates revenue. Develop and apply your modelling skills to policy problems. Extend the use of RAP principles and modern analytical techniques. Improve your communication of complex analysis to influence senior officials and ministers. The post holder will have line management of 1 HEO analyst.
With both posts there will be the opportunity to:
Lead high profile pieces of analysis in a policy area where annual local government expenditure is around �60bn; Work closely with senior officials, other government departments and Ministers; Manage and support a small team of other analysts; Work in a multi-disciplinary environment with analysts of different specialisms, building the evidence base for policies on local government finance and influencing policy direction; and Apply and develop leadership and analytical skills.
The post holders can also expect significant learning and development when in post, both on-the-job learning, peer-to-peer learning and internal and external training.
Person specification
Candidates will be considered for both roles. If invited to interview, candidates will be asked which of the two roles they have a preference for. If successful at interview stage, the department will take into account the preferences of successful candidates but cannot guarantee candidates will be offered their preferred post.
The post holders will need to meet the academic requirements of Government Statistical Service (GSS)�
In addition to these technical skills, the essential skills required for both roles include:
The ability to present and communicate complex analysis clearly and in an impactful way; Being comfortable working with large and complex datasets and the ability to apply analytical techniques to work / policy areas; and The ability to make sound judgements informed by data, evidence and analysis to influence work / policy.
Analysts in MHCLG must be affiliated to a Government analytical profession.
Government Statistical Service (GSS)
�Stage 1: Filter and eligibility questions, entry tests�
Candidates who successfully pass the initial filter and eligibility questions will be asked to confirm which of the analytical professions they belong to or are applying to be part of.� This information will be used to progress successful applications to the appropriate professional checks element of the process.����
Existing civil servants who are currently a member of one of these professions will retain their professional membership in this role.� Applicants on promotion will be assessed for promotion within their profession as part of the selection process.�Please make any current affiliation clear in your application.����
External candidates or civil servants without a current profession affiliation may be considered for accreditation to one of the professions as part of the recruitment process.� If you are not currently a member of a government analytical profession you will be put through the membership process for your chosen profession as part of this application.� You must pass the membership process for your application to be successful.� If you do not pass the relevant profession entry test your application will not be taken further.� See theGuide for Analytical Candidatesdocument for more details of the membership process for the relevant profession.��
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You will need to address thetechnical competences for your professionin the application and at interview.�
Please refer to theGuide for Analytical Candidateswhich provides:�
1 - The technical competences for The GSS analytical profession�
2 - details of the entry requirements to each analytical profession�
3 � details of the entry process for each analytical profession�
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Entry Qualifications��
The entry qualifications are listed below.� Please list FULL details of your degree in your application form.
Government Statistical Service (GSS):�
a first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician and 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content ( Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)�
or�
a higher degree, a MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training ( Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)�
or�
have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a log book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five)�
or�
have achieved or are on track to achieve a level four apprenticeship including at least two years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development in statistics or data analysis (via a log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession)�
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Statistician candidates ( entry test) :�
Candidates whoARE NOTmembers of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) will be invited to sit the Government Statistical Services Test.� This is the first part of the GSS membership process and you must pass this test for your application to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.��
If you are currently a member of the GSS, please apply to vacancy number369712.
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The deadline for completing the GSS online test is 23:55 on Tuesday 1st October�2024.�
The deadline for completing your application form is 23:55 on Thursday 3rd October 2024.�
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Competencies�
You will need to address the technical competences for your profession in the application and at interview.�
Professional technical competences are listed below:�
Statistics competences�
Statistics: Acquiring data/Understanding customer needs�
Statistics: Data analysis�
Statistics: Presenting and disseminating data effectively�
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �51,934, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes �15,045 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA with an employer contribution of
