Operational Researcher (SEO)

Job summary

DWP are recruiting experienced Operational Researchers (SEO) to fill key posts across a range of policy and business areas over the next six months.

The roles will be based in one of our analytical hubs in the following locations Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Treforest.

Due to ongoing headcount restrictions, London is only available as a location option for existing DWP candidates who are already based in London.

All locations are subject to demand management approvals so we cannot guarantee a particular location.

For individuals based in Treforest, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

For candidates requesting to work in Sheffield King’s Court, please note these roles will initially be based at King’s Court and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028. Similarly for candidates requesting to work in Sheffield Hartshead Square, please note these roles will initially be based at Hartshead Square and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028.

For candidates requesting to work in Newcastle Benton Park View, please note these roles will initially be based at Benton Park View and then move to Newcastle Pilgrim Place by early 2028.

For candidates requesting to work in London Caxton House, please note these roles will initially be based at Caxton House and then move Sanctuary House by early 2028.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, the geographical requirements of the business and business demands. ​

Successful internal DWP candidates (working already as badged analysts) should note that these roles may be outside your current business area and therefore you should only apply if you are content to potentially be placed in another part of the business..

Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements set out in the ‘Essential Qualifications’ sections of the candidate pack; which is either to be a member of the Government Operational Research Service (GORS) or have the required qualifications to become a member of this profession. ​

If you meet the eligibility requirements you should then provide evidence against the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification section of this job advert.

Please note that if you are successful at interview, you must be able to start within 3 months of being offered a role.

Job description

DWP has an excellent reputation for ensuring its work is underpinned by robust evidence and award-winning analysis. Analysts work flexibly, in multi-disciplinary, multi-site teams across the organisation, embedded within policy, operational and wider analytical teams, to develop DWP’s evidence base and provide analysis that supports key decisions underpinning Departmental policies and projects. The wealth of data we have access to is unprecedented and allows us to work in real time, quickly being able to see the outcome of those decisions. ​

DWP’s Analytical Community (AC) has over 900 analysts made up of Economists, Operational Researchers, Social Researchers, Statisticians, Data Scientists and Data Analysts. Analysts are grouped into 23 Lead Analyst areas, embedded across the Department. Our services are in high demand from ministers, senior leaders and policy and operational stakeholders. The DWP AC is an excellent place to work and being one of the largest in Government we can offer a wide variety of development, training and progression opportunities, making us a great place to grow as an analyst. Many DWP analytical roles are profession neutral, offering analysts access to a wide range of analytical roles.

Through this campaign, if you are not already a badged member of GORS you will become one. This means that as well as joining the community of analysts in DWP you will join a community of analysts working across many Government departments, agencies and public bodies, playing a pivotal role in Government decision-making.

Senior Analyst Roles at DWP

We are recruiting for posts across a range of policy and business areas, more information on the types of analytical roles available at DWP can be found in the candidate pack.

Person specification

If you meet the eligibility requirements, then you will be asked to provide a 750-word personal statement as part of the application process. ​This statement should highlight your experience in line with the criteria below.

We are looking for applicants who are able to demonstrate experience against the following criteria:

• Proven analytical experience of applying relevant professional tools and techniques to solve complex problems and ensuring appropriate quality assurance of analysis. (Lead Experience Criterion).
• Proven experience of using and communicating analytical findings, context, caveats and limitations clearly and effectively to maximise the value and impact of analysis in decision making.
• Proven experience of proactive ownership and leading complex analytical projects, proactively engaging and building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and balancing competing priorities to deliver high-quality outcomes.

If there are a high number of applications, the lead Experience Criterion will be used to conduct an initial sift and applications that do not meet the minimum requirement for this criterion will not progress to a full sift.

In the event of a large number of candidates meeting the pass standard at sift, we may take the option of only the strongest candidates proceeding to interview. The remaining candidates will be longlisted and their applications only proceeded if roles remain unfilled.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

In order to be eligible to apply for these posts you must either be:

A current, permanent, badged member of the Government Operational Research Service (GORS).

OR

Hold the qualifications to become a badged member of the Government Operational Research Service (GORS).

Full details of the qualifications required for candidates who are not already badged members of GORS listed are provided in the candidate pack. If successful in the recruitment exercise you will be badged into GORS. You must provide sufficient detail on the qualifications required and already hold the required qualifications, otherwise your application will not be sifted.

If you are applying as a current, permanent, badged member then you must say yes to having the qualifications required and state this in the additional questions section of the application form. You may be asked to provide proof of membership and we will verify this in the recruitment process with the relevant Government professional body. If membership is not verified then you will be withdrawn immediately from the recruitment round.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,487, Department for Work and Pensions contributes

£14,626 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).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We will be holding an MS Teams information session to talk through the application process on Tuesday 22 September at 16:00. Please contact us at analysts.seorecruitment@DWP.GOV.UK if you would like to join this live session. ​Recordings will not be available.

If you are an existing civil servant and want to know more about transferring to another department you should refer initially to your current department’s guidance on transfers within the Civil Service and seek advice from your HR business partner. If you have further specific questions about transferring to DWP, you should contact the vacancy holder.

I f you are already a member of Government Operational Research (GORS) , please follow the instructions on the Essential Qualifications section and answer ‘yes’ on the membership question when you complete your application form. ​

Please check you are eligible and follow the instructions on the Essential Qualifications section of the candidate pack when completing your application form.

Selection will be by a sift of the written application, followed by an interview for candidates who pass the sift stage.

After sift, if you are not currently a badged member of GORS you may also be required to complete further testing prior to, or at, interview. Full details will be provided to candidates where applicable.

Written Sift ​

The written sift will be conducted in two parts – one to check qualifications (on your employment history and qualifications as listed on your CV) and one to check Essential Criteria evidence (on your personal statement).

If you are not an existing member of GORS and do not meet the eligibility requirements (the first stage of the sift), then your personal statement will not be sifted, and your application will be withdrawn at pre-sift stage. ​

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

CV ​

The CV is an on-line tool accessed through Civil Service Jobs and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. It is made up of several boxes on the application form and should be short. Your CV will be used to check eligibility on qualifications and to outline your employment history.​

Please make sure that you fully complete the qualifications and employment history section in the application form. We do not require qualifications below degree level to be listed.

For non-badged candidates, applications submitted without key details like: degree studied, grades and credits or without sufficient detail of relevant modules will be discounted. Failure to provide this information clearly will result in your application being sifted out of the process. ​

The CV (qualifications