Analyst (Sittingbourne)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Performance and Data Analytics team for an Analyst within the Data Lab to play a critical role in transforming complex data into meaningful, actionable insight that makes a real difference to policing, victims and communities across Kent. Data sits at the heart of the department, and the Data Lab is central to embedding statistical, analytical and evidence‑led insight into the fabric of daily management and operational decision‑making. This role is ideally suited to someone with strong mathematical and statistical knowledge, professional curiosity, and a genuine desire to learn and develop within a high‑quality, evidence‑driven analytical environment.

As an Analyst within the Data Lab, you will work at the forefront of data‑driven policing, supporting senior leaders and operational teams by structuring, analysing and interpreting data to address complex tactical and strategic challenges. You will design, develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and analytical products, working confidently with data and technology to deliver high‑quality insight at pace and to demanding deadlines. This is a role for someone who thrives in high‑pressure environments, is confident working with IT and complex datasets, and can balance competing priorities while maintaining analytical rigour, accuracy and integrity. Importantly, it is also an extremely rewarding role, offering the opportunity to see how your analytical work directly informs decision‑making, improves services to victims, supports ethical policing, and positively impacts communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deliver end‑to‑end analytical and reporting solutions, including data extraction, cleansing, validation, statistical analysis and the production of analytical outputs.
• Apply mathematical and statistical methods to analyse complex datasets, identifying trends, patterns and outliers to generate robust evidence‑based insight.
• Build, maintain and enhance Power BI dashboards and analytical products, integrating data from multiple sources.
• Work confidently with large and complex datasets, maintaining high standards of data quality, accuracy and integrity.
• Develop clear and compelling analytical narratives, translating complex statistical findings for non‑technical audiences.
• Identify, test and challenge assumptions, hypotheses and risks, applying professional curiosity and analytical rigour.
• Work closely with stakeholders to translate business and operational requirements into analytical solutions.
• Present findings clearly to a range of audiences, including senior leaders, in time‑critical and high‑pressure environments.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Data Lab’s analytical capability, including new tools and techniques.
• Where appropriate, contribute to advanced analytical or data science approaches, such as natural language processing.

What We Are Looking For

Your application must clearly demonstrate, through examples, that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Mathematical and statistical capability, demonstrated through qualifications (e.g. a maths‑based A level or equivalent) and/or the application of statistical techniques in an analytical role.
• End‑to‑end analytical experience, including data extraction, cleansing or validation, statistical analysis and production of analytical outputs that inform decision‑making.
• Experience working confidently with data and IT systems to produce analytical products such as dashboards, reports or visualisations (including use of Microsoft 365 or similar tools).
• Ability to communicate complex analysis clearly in writing, particularly to non‑technical audiences and decision‑makers.

Applicants are advised to ensure these criteria are explicitly addressed within their application, as they will be used at the shortlisting stage. In addition, applicants may wish to demonstrate the following, which will be considered at shortlisting where evidenced:

• Experience using Power BI, Power Query and/or SQL to analyse data and develop dashboards.
• Experience applying a range of analytical techniques, such as descriptive, diagnostic, predictive or prescriptive analysis.
• Exposure to data science or advanced analytical techniques, through work, projects or formal learning.
• Experience applying analytical skills within a policing, criminal justice or wider public sector environment.

Important Information for Applicants

Shortlisting will be based on the evidence provided in the written application against the essential and desirable criteria set out above. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to structure their application clearly against these criteria, using specific examples to demonstrate their skills and experience.

This role can be undertaken as office‑based or primarily home‑based working. The analysts Team Zone is based at Sittingbourne Police Station. Home‑based workers are expected to attend the Team Zone as agreed with their line manager, in line with local attendance criteria and the Force Smarter Working Protocol, in addition to attending meetings and training across Kent as required. You should hold a full UK driving licence.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.