Department for Education
HEO Business Analyst
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Coventry, West Midlands (England), CV1 2WT : Darlington, North East England, DL1 5QE
Job Summary
The Data Specification Team are responsible for the governance and writing and maintaining the data specifications for collection systems and SQL databases for our data collection systems. The team manage a change process taking on board and analysing business requirements which drive policy or funding. They are responsible for ensuring high data quality standards are met within the data collection and support the agency through the collection of this data.
You will be responsible for building effective and sustainable relationships with users, stakeholders and subject matter experts. You will gather and analyse user data requirements, to help to inform future developments or system improvements through continuous improvements. Translate these business requirements into technical specifications ensuring that the data collected is fit for purpose and will be responsible for creating data specifications for data collection and storage of data.
You will need to be user focused, understand the importance of data, management of data, service management, data quality, be able to communicate effectively with stakeholders and have a drive for identifying and applying continuous improvement.
IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Numerical and Verbal tests. The deadline for completing the tests is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the tests with sufficient time to complete the written application.
Job Description
As a Junior Business Analyst you will:
- Deliver business analysis activity on projects with support and supervision.
- Support defining the business context, problem or opportunity of proposed work, understanding any business and policy constraints that need to be considered, and assess their implication.
- Undertake research and analysis to understand how a business area works considering the people, organisation, processes, information, data and technology.
- Elaborate user needs, business needs and constraints into user stories to enable effective design, development, testing and adoption of services.
- Work with other business analysts to identify areas for improvement, document and optimise business processes, explore feasible options, analyse the effects of change and define success measures.
- Ensure new products and services meet business and user needs, and are aligned with organisational goals.
- Contribute to the business analyst community taking opportunities to share experiences and best practices.
For more information on Business Analysis in Government Digital & Data please click here: Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework: Business Analysis
As a Junior Business Analyst You Will
- Deliver business analysis activity on projects with support and supervision.
- Support defining the business context, problem or opportunity of proposed work, understanding any business and policy constraints that need to be considered, and assess their implication.
- Undertake research and analysis to understand how a business area works considering the people, organisation, processes, information, data and technology.
- Elaborate user needs, business needs and constraints into user stories to enable effective design, development, testing and adoption of services.
- Work with other business analysts to identify areas for improvement, document and optimise business processes, explore feasible options, analyse the effects of change and define success measures.
- Ensure new products and services meet business and user needs, and are aligned with organisational goals.
- Contribute to the business analyst community taking opportunities to share experiences and best practices.
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For more information on Business Analysis in Government Digital & Data please click here: Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework: Business Analysis
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Understanding the role of a Business Analyst across the full software development lifecycle.
- Awareness of the range of methods, tools and techniques BAs use to support the delivery of digital services.
- Analysing and documenting business processes.
- Investigating problems and opportunities in existing and new services, to create recommendations for service improvements.
- Communicating technical language and concepts to the wider business, stakeholders and users.
- Awareness of how the business analysis role adapts to different delivery methodologies and project environments.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of working to defined industry standards, such as the UK Government Service Standard, and associated assurance processes.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview, in the event of a tie break situation, to make an informed decision.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Defining and managing business needs, user needs and requirements
- Digital and data systems analysis
- Business process improvement
- Stakeholder relationship management
Alongside your salary of £37,260, Department for Education contributes £10,794 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
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.
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT)
When you have completed your personal information, you will be asked to complete the CSNT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.
Stage 2: Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT)
When you have completed the CSNT, you will be asked to complete the CSVT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.
Stage 3 - Written Application
To apply for this role, you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability.
Your CV should include details of your employment history, and the skills and experience gained in those roles. Your Statement of Suitability (max 1000 words) should demonstrate how your experience meets the essential criteria listed above.
Stage 4 – Sift
We reserve the right to increase the minimum pass mark for the CSNT and CSVT where there is a high volume of applications or a particularly strong field of candidates. Where this occurs, candidates who do not meet the revised pass mark will not progress further, and their written application will not be assessed.
We will use your CV and statement to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.
To confirm, the maximum word count for the statement of suitability is 1000 . Please adhere to this limit as anything over 1000 words will not be taken into account.
The sift will be restricted to just assessing personal statements in the event of a large volume of applications.
More guidance on personal statements can be found here – completing your application.
Stage 5 – Interview
At interview you will be asked questions around the technical skills listed in the advert.
For more information on the selection process, including guidance on how to write a personal statement, answer interview questions, and the STAR approach click here: Top tips for acing the application.
Important Information
If you fail to complete the tests before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are untimed, administered via Civil Service Jobs, and applicant guidance is available during the test and online on GOV.UK Online Tests guidance.
Applicants must complete the test on their own, without help, and Departments reserve the right to retest applicants under supervised conditions at later stages of the selection process. Doing this can provide reassurance to recruiters who are concerned about the authenticity of one or more test results.
Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to complete both assessments and submit your application before the advertised deadline.
Reasonable Adjustments & Test Accessibility
See our reasonable adjustments guide for candidates (online tests), or some example case studies, to act as a guide. You can use these to help you decide whether to ask for help or take the test without help.
More information about online tests can be found here: Preparing for the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical tests - GOV.UK. You will also find practice
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