Bristol
£26,925 with opportunity to progress within 12-18 months to £31,177 (subject to performance in the role + generous civil service defined benefit pension
About us
Our Data, Foresight and Analysis directorate (DFA) is currently seeking 2 analysts to join our supportive, enthusiastic, and high performing teams, where you will be part of a community of 70 analysts. The directorate provides a range of data collection, analysis and research activities that have an essential role underpinning the regulatory functions of the Office for Students (OfS).
The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England and our primary aim is to ensure that English higher education is delivering positive outcomes for students – past, present, and future. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers, and are:
- Supported to access, succeed in, and progress from, higher education.
- Receive high quality academic experience and their interests are protected while they study or in the event of provider, campus or course closure.
- Able to progress into employment or further study, and their qualifications hold their value over time.
- Receive value for money.
The Roles
At the OfS, we want to be driven by evidence. Data and analysis inform our effective, efficient and intelligent regulation in the student interest and as an Analyst you will work on a range of projects which contribute to these aims.
DFA work collaboratively, on a range of tasks and projects which reflect the priorities of the organisation as they evolve. Whether you are writing code to implement the data specifications informing the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), designing robust and innovative analysis to research the current state of the English higher education sector, collecting data from higher education providers, or applying a range of analytical and statistical techniques to help identify groups who are underrepresented in higher education, your work will be interesting and important. And those are just a few of our current projects.
You will use Python and/or SAS to apply a range of analytical and statistical techniques to a set of unique data, and will support the production and quality assurance of experimental and official statistics. You will also be communicating with colleagues, providers and other users externally (through publications), to share understanding of our methods and data publications, and to ensure that data and analysis findings can be used effectively in regulation.
To find out more about some of the work that analysts in DFA do to support the aims of the OfS, visit Data and analysis - Office for Students
About you
To succeed in the analyst roles, you will have:
- Logical thinking, and excellent numerical skills.
- Some experience of data analysis and the ability to present and visualise data in a meaningful way.
- Experience of using analytical programming (such as Python or SAS). While knowledge of programming is essential, these are entry-level roles, so we don’t require knowledge of any specific language. If you’ve already got experience of Python or SAS please include this in your application.
- Attention to detail and an interest in learning how to manage data-based projects, including identifying risk and using effective quality assurance approaches.
- Work well within a team, sharing knowledge, and working cooperatively and flexibly.
- Ability to communicate clearly with those who are not data experts, communicating data and technical details, and engaging with policy issues to propose how data could be used to support them.
- Ability to work flexibly and manage your own time across a range of tasks.
To find out more about the roles and make an application, go to Careers (myworkdayjobs.com)
Working for us
The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do.
We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background. To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working (for example job share and part time working) apply to these roles.
We will provide a comprehensive programme of training and support to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the analyst roles. From support for your own personal development, to developing or enhancing your technical skills, you’ll be supported to meet your learning needs in these entry-level roles.
Working arrangements
The OfS is trialling a hybrid model of working, a mixture of office and remote working. Staff can work up to 60% of their hours remotely, and 40% in the office, as well as some flexibility in core contact hours. We will provide the equipment and support to ensure that you can do that safely and securely. Our offices remain open for staff and teams.
To apply, please visit our website.
Closing date for applications: 5 June 2022.
Interviews: 21 and 22 June 2022.
