Senior Analyst

We are seeking a senior analyst on a temporary basis to cover parental leave. You will lead our analytical team in delivering:

• regulatory and commercial insight from data about qualifying contracts and single source suppliers;
• management information for the Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD); and
• regular published statistics from data provided in statutory reports.

You will make a key contribution to the effective operation of the regulatory framework for the UK government’s single-source (non-competitive) procurement of military goods, works and services. The regulatory framework applies to contracts with estimated prices totalling more than £50 billion, including some of the UK’s most important capabilities, such as Astute and Dreadnought class submarines and Type 26 frigates.

The SSRO is an executive non-departmental public body, established under Part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014 and sponsored by the MOD. In carrying out our work, the SSRO must aim to ensure that good value for money is obtained for the UK taxpayer in expenditure on qualifying, single source defence contracts, and that suppliers are paid a fair and reasonable price under those contracts.

The analysis team supports delivery of the SSRO’s functions, which include:

• Annual assessment of the rates used in calculating contract profit rates.
• Statutory guidance on pricing contracts and completing contract and supplier reports.
• Reviewing compliance with contract reporting requirements.
• Providing opinions and legally binding determinations to the MOD and contractors.
• Keeping provision of the regulatory framework under review.
• Responding to requests for analysis from the Secretary of State.
• Keeping a record of qualifying contracts.

Our Data Strategy explains how our functions come together to promote use of data reported by contractors in support of better defence procurement.

If you are an exceptional analyst and committed to evidence-based decision-making, then we would like to hear from you.

• A suitability statement clearly addressing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria, on no more than 2 pages of A4, giving relevant examples where possible.
• Your CV
• Please note that interviews are planned for Thursday 19 August

Applications without a suitability statement and CV will not be considered.

Responsibilities

• Apply your knowledge of analytical methods across the SSRO’s responsibilities, and promote the use of sophisticated analytical, statistical, research and econometric techniques in the SSRO’s work.
• Lead complex projects and take responsibility for delivering high quality, timely outputs, including in relation to: provision of analysis to the MOD; review of legislation; publication of statistics and provision of management information; guidance on reporting financial and contract information to the SSRO; analysis for monitoring compliance; questions referred to the SSRO for opinion or determination; opportunities to ensure value for money and fair and reasonable prices.
• Direct, review and advise on analysis and its interpretation for the benefit of the single source regime. Specify and conduct analysis of data to support the SSRO, using the datasets held by the organisation, and conduct bespoke research as required. Provide quality assurance for analytical outputs, and support those in the SSRO and the MOD making use of the data collected by the SSRO. Engage with MOD on the information decision makers need to improve procurement decision. Oversee the management and develop analytical processes.
• Contribute to development of the SSRO’s strategic direction and help achieve its statutory aims, by providing thought-leading, expert input to the preparation of plans, strategies and policies.
• Take full responsibility for delivering high quality, timely outputs.
• Recruit the right people, manage them effectively and inspire them to deliver their best.
• Collaborate with staff across the SSRO and work successfully in multi-disciplinary teams, including project teams drawn from across other established teams. Manage and lead such teams as required.
• Engage actively with internal and external stakeholders and manage and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders. Represent the SSRO in meetings and other forums, participating actively and constructively in line with the SSRO’s vision, values, objectives and priorities.
• Communicate the SSRO’s work with influence, including preparing high quality documents. Draft briefings and reports in a language and style that conveys technical information in a way that is easy for non-technical audiences to comprehend.
• Act with integrity, apply the SSRO’s governance procedures, and promote good governance.
• Investigate and make best use of available technology and contribute to the delivery of new and innovative ways to deliver our work that improve quality and efficiency.  
• Promote the SSRO’s values.
• Such other duties as the SSRO may require, in line with business need.

Person specification

Essential

• Education to degree level with a strong numerical or analytical focus and/or relevant professional qualification. The SSRO, subject to funding availability, offers support to staff to attain relevant professional qualifications.
• Good experience of defining, managing and delivering on a portfolio of complex analytical work, anticipating future needs, focusing resources in the areas required by decision makers, line management of analysts, and delivering to deadlines under pressure.
• Track record of successful analytical customer engagement: managing relationships with senior decision makers; managing expectations and conflicting needs and demands; and advocating the use of data analysis and evidence in decision making.
• Good experience of quality assurance of a team’s analytical work, promoting a culture for the team to deliver high quality analytical products based on robust methods, and managing quality assurance.
• Good understanding of, and/or experience of working with, the legal framework for government statistical and analytical work, including the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Experience of handling sensitive data.
• Background in promoting new ways of working, continuously seeking opportunities to improve analytical processes, methods and outputs, and championing the use of new tools across an organisation or department.
• Good oral and written communication skills, with an engaging style, and proven ability to deliver written outputs that meet the necessary quality requirements, with the ability to express complex technical issues in easy-to-understand plain English.

Desirable

• Knowledge of single source defence procurement.
• Experience of providing analytical commercial insight to support contract negotiation or management.

The role will require you to undergo national security vetting to the level of Security Check (SC) clearance.