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- Tasks: Join the Place Analysis team to support policy development through data analysis and insights.
- Company: Department for Culture, Media and Sport focuses on enhancing culture and community across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team influencing local policies and improving community outcomes.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and a relevant degree or experience in data science or geospatial analysis required.
- Other info: Attend an information session to learn more about the role and ask questions.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Place Analyst role at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Analysis Function in DCMS has a vital role in supporting and steering the development of policy. We are arranged into a ‘hub and spoke’ model: a Central Analysis Team (the ‘hub’) responsible for strategic and cross-cutting priorities, assurance processes and the production and publication of our statistics; Sector Analytical Teams (‘spokes’) that are embedded in policy directorates and lead analysis on individual sectors.
The Strategic Analysis and Data Science Unit sits within Central Analysis as the analytical counterpart to the department’s Strategy and Policy Units. We undertake analysis on emergent and priority issues covering the breadth of the department, working closely with sector analysts to improve our collective understanding of DCMS policies and programmes and their impact. As a multidisciplinary team of economists, statisticians and data scientists, we serve as a centre of expertise for the department across economic growth, data improvement and modelling.
With the creation of a new Place Analysis team, which this role will sit in, we are expanding that expertise to include spatial analysis, too. Our Secretary of State has made ‘place’ one of her top priorities, with clear ambitions for improving growth and opportunity across every region and community. Data and analysis is at the forefront of how we do that, providing more granular insight into the issues that local areas face and the potential impact of DCMS interventions.
This role will support the department’s ambitions to improve spatial capability across our data, tooling and methodologies by:
- Supporting our Strategy and Policy Units in making policy more sensitive to place, undertaking analysis to embed our new ‘place principles’ across the department, e.g. improved data sharing with Public Bodies and Local Authorities, and a more robust and consistent approach to place-based funding and interventions.
- Utilising technical analysis to gather insights from our flagship ‘Place Analysis Tool’, which aims to collate the department’s data on spend and outcomes. This could include regression analysis and modelling to understand the factors that drive local differences in participation and outcomes.
- Collaborating with other analysts across the department to offer expertise on place-based analysis, and using the team’s work to influence other projects.
This is a highly visible HEO role with the opportunity to influence analysis and policy across the department. It would particularly suit an ambitious and experienced analyst with a keen interest in improving the use of data and evidence to better understand geographic variation in outcomes, and the effectiveness of targeting local interventions.
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience:
- Strong technical analytical skills, with the ability to apply these to a range of different projects.
- Experience using analysis to inform and influence policy decisions.
- An ability to work across multiple teams to develop own analysis.
- An ability to understand how own team’s work supports stakeholder needs, and experience articulating the messages of technical analysis to non-analyst audiences with clarity and purpose.
- Hold or be eligible for membership of one of the following government analytical professions: Government Statistical Service, Government Economics Service, Government Operational Research Service.
- Or candidates should have an undergraduate degree at minimum 2:1 or equivalent in data science, geography, geospatial mapping & sciences, geospatial analysis or similar.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss.
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Thomas Warren and will take place on: - 14:00 on Tuesday 27th May. The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions. Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form link by 13:00 on Tuesday 27th May and you will be sent an invitation. Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process.
Place Analyst employer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Contact Detail:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recruiting Team
recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Place Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to attend the information session hosted by Thomas Warren. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Place Analyst role and ask any questions you might have, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the key priorities of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, especially around spatial analysis and place-based funding. Understanding these priorities will allow you to demonstrate how your skills align with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees in similar roles. They can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews or discussions about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on recent developments in data analysis and policy-making related to local communities. Being knowledgeable about current trends will not only enhance your discussions but also show your genuine interest in the role and its impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Place Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of the Place Analyst role. Highlight how your skills align with the requirements, especially in technical analysis and policy influence.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience and skills that match the job description. Emphasise your analytical skills, experience with data science, and any previous work that involved policy-making or spatial analysis.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the department's mission. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the Place Analysis team and support their objectives.
Prepare for the Information Session: If you plan to attend the information session, prepare questions that show your interest in the role and the department. This is a great opportunity to gain insights and make a positive impression before applying.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Culture, Media and Sport
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Place Analyst. Familiarise yourself with the department's goals, especially regarding spatial analysis and how it impacts policy decisions.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss your technical analytical skills in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used data analysis to inform policy decisions or improve outcomes in previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating complex analytical concepts in a way that non-analysts can understand. This is crucial as you'll need to convey insights to various stakeholders across the department.
✨Engage with the Team
Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with other analysts and teams. Highlight any past experiences where teamwork led to successful outcomes, especially in cross-functional projects.
