Government Operational Research Analyst

Central Government is the biggest business in Britain. Operational Research (OR) specialists advise Government on how to make the best possible use of public money. With their skills in problem structuring, modelling and analysis, they help formulate Government policy and find effective ways of putting it into practice.
Operational Research is about working with policy makers and managers to generate the most appropriate options for future action. OR analysts use a range of analytical techniques, from detailed statistical analysis, simulation, and mathematical modelling through to facilitation and problem structuring so that they can explore problems and give objective advice., OR Mainstream analysts carry out the analysis that can help answer vital questions such as:
- How can we measure and improve the quality of service in education, health, benefits and other public bodies?
- How much grant will be required next year to create new jobs in industry?
- How can we compare the relative value of government expenditure on roads, health and education?

Person specification
The Government Operational Research Service (GORS) is the umbrella organisation that provides management support to all members, including data scientists, across central government.
When you join us, you’ll be assigned to a department that has the most suitable opportunity and that meets your location preferences. To broaden your project experience, you can expect to move between departments throughout the early stages of your career., Your assessment in this application and at interview is based on civil service behaviours and technical ability. It is advisable to research this before completing your application form. There are many good sources of free advice available online.
Applications will be assessed on the behaviours and technical skills as outlined in the Civil Service Success Profiles.
If your application is successful at the initial stage, we will invite you to a virtual assessment day where you will be asked to do a short presentation (on a topic that you will be given on the same day) and an interview based on behaviours and technical skills. Interviews will be carried out virtually during November.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Eligibility
To check that you are eligible please read qualifications.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via GORSrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application, review this information on reasonable adjustments
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Diversity and Inclusion
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible after considering operational and customer service needs. We can’t guarantee that we can meet all requests to work flexibly, as agreement will be subject to business ability to accommodate, and any request to work a more flexible arrangement should be made prior to your acceptance of the provisional offer.
The Civil Service runs a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Security Update
For more information on the level of security checks we will carry out, review this information on security checks
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Further Information
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application/s will be withdrawn from the process.
Duplicate applications for the same vacancy will also be withdrawn.
Problems during the application process
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If you think you’ve made a mistake on a short application form (e.g. you’ve ticked the incorrect eligibility box), please contact GORSrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk at least two working days before the vacancy closes. After this, we won’t be able to reopen your application.
Please use the subject line to insert appropriate wording e.g. Please re-open my application - 371296 & vacancy closing date 14th October 2024. Please note that we cannot amend or re-open your application if you have submitted your full application in the interests of fair and open recruitment.
For reasonable adjustments queries or requests, please see details within reasonable adjustments section above.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

You must have (or expect to have in the next year) a highly mathematical degree to join GORS, which must be one of the following: a minimum 2:1, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience, or a postgraduate qualification. To meet our definition of a highly numerate degree, at least half of your degree course must be from one or more of the following subjects: maths, physics, astrophysics, operational research, management science, engineering (civil, chemical, electronic), data science, decision science, statistics, econometrics or similar.
Please provide details of your bachelors and any postgraduate degrees (even if you are still studying for it) ensuring that you include:
Type of qualification (for example BSc, MSc, PhD);
Course or qualification title (for example Maths, Physics, OR);
Subjects, modules or thesis (listed by each year they were taken);
Degree class or mark awarded or expected (for example 1st, 2:1, MSc);
If you do not provide all these detail, we may not be able to fully assess your eligibility.
You must be able to explain highly technical concepts in plain English.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Working Together
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Knowledge and Application of OR Skills and Techniques
+ Achieving Impact with Analysis

Benefits
Pensions: Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates
Benefits: Varies by Department
Allowances: Varies by Department
Annual Leave: Allowance varies by department