22273 - Data Warden, Analysis Directorate

Do you have the passion, values, and ability to help us solve the biggest problems of the justice system?

HEO Data Warden, Analysis Directorate Ministry of Justice

• Overview

We have 1 HEO Data Warden role in the Community Data Assurance team within the Analysis Directorate.

We are looking to recruit 1 HEO to the Community Data Assurance team, whose role it is to provide assurance to the business and key stakeholders on reducing reoffending and probation data which impacts the reported performance of the Probation Service.

Please note: this opportunity is only open to individuals currently employed within the Civil Service.

Minimum requirements to apply:

Candidates must be able to show the relevant experience and skills and must meet the criteria for entry:

HEO grade – must meet at least one of the following:

• You possess a numerate degree or a degree that has an analytical, statistical or research element, with a 2:2 or above, or as a higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD).
• Alternatively, you have significant experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills (outside of a part-completed Civil Service degree apprenticeship).

Interviews are likely to take place in October 2026 and will be held via MS Teams .

We will keep a merit list for a year for those who successfully pass the interview board, but who are not offered a post.

• About the Analysis Directorate

We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research, data and analysis.

In the Analysis Directorate, we provide high-quality data and analysis helping to ensure strategic, policy, finance, corporate and operational decisions are based on robust evidence.

We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to make excellent decisions; using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration; putting evidence at the heart of the justice system.

We are a multi-disciplinary team of around 300 staff that sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice providing analytical support across a diverse and exciting agenda.

We work in a dynamic and fast-paced context and our skills are in heavy demand across the Ministry of Justice.

Our collaborations beyond government are seen as ground-breaking.

The Analysis community is made up of analysts and specialists including: Social Researchers, Economists, Operational Researchers, Statisticians, Data Engineers, Data Scientists and other data specialists (such as data strategists, data dissemination, generalists and assurance experts).

Why work in the Analysis Directorate?

In the Analysis Directorate, we want all our people to feel valued for who they are and for the work they do.

We provide a warm, inclusive place to work and offer a wide range of flexibilities and benefits as part of our people offer to reward our staff.

What we offer

• Flexible working arrangements and a focus on equality of opportunity – including welcoming part-time and/or job-share arrangements, compressed hours, working from home or your nearest Justice Collaboration Centres or Justice Satellite Office.
• Career development – regular development and promotion opportunities across a wide range of roles, career development support, with a generous individual learning and development budget.
• Range of new areas of work and new tools and techniques – we pride ourselves on our excellent deployment of well-established analytical methods, but also our progress to date. Progress such as our ambitious and innovative transformation programme to leverage departmental data and drive evidence-based decision-making using cutting-edge tools and techniques (for example: experimentation, personalisation, artificial intelligence).
• Analysis is at the centre of the Department’s decision making – our transformation programme is focused on maximising our impact on departmental outcomes. The Ministry of Justice’s Senior Team and our Ministerial Team want all decisions to be evidence driven – your analysis will be key in influencing decisions and real-world impact.
• Vibrant community – part of a multidisciplinary team that has a supportive culture and is looking to further develop the community with the help of everyone.
• See the frontline and what your work is influencing – regular opportunities to visit our front-line service providers, including courts, prisons, and probation to better understand the areas your analysis is affecting.
• What you’ll do

This role is within the Community Data Assurance (CDA) team, whose role it is to provide data assurance to the business and key stakeholders on reducing reoffending and probation data which impacts the reported performance of the Probation Service.

• Working with a range of stakeholders and the Head of Community Data Assurance, compile a detailed view of the data issues and a timeline for assurance activities. Performing in depth, accurate and timely assurance to provide confidence in the accuracy and quality of recorded data , highlighting issues which might impact service delivery and performance indicators.
• Ensure potential impacts and risks to data quality are clearly identified and communicated effectively to stakeholders and senior leadership, including by presenting results at data boards.
• Line management of one or more EO with responsibility for providing support, guidance, leadership and development. This will include, but not limited to, setting expectations, standards and direction.
• Provide high-quality outputs, visuals and innovative data trackers to highlight data assurance activities and issues.
• Provide support on responses to ad hoc data queries and Parliamentary questions.
• With others, act as board secretary for various data governance meetings, taking minutes and circulating papers as needed.
• Deputise for SEOs in the team when required.
• Who you are

The following experience and skills will be required :

• Have a good working knowledge of data assurance, with the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to new problems.
• Experience of working with large datasets (particularly administrative data) and robust data skills, including the ability to assess data quality and identify the limitations of data.
• Have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex technical data, concepts and practices to non-technical stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder expectations over time and anticipate future needs, dealing constructively with challenges and where appropriate adapting work programmes where requirements / circumstances change.
• Take responsibility for their area of work, balancing resources, quality, timeliness of outputs including ensuring adherence to relevant standards.
• Demonstrate leadership of their area, guiding the development of those they manage, acting as a technical mentor / coach, prioritising and delegating tasks in line with organisational objectives.

The following experience and skills are desirable :

• Experience working with probation data.
• Knowledge and previous application of the Government Data Quality Framework including the data maturity models .
• Experience with data manipulation tools such as Excel, R, SQL and reporting tools such as Business Objects desirable.
• Ability to use structured project management techniques, i.e. PRINCE 2 or equivalent.
• How to apply

You’ll need to submit an anonymised work history and Statement of Suitability as part of your application.

You will not be considered if you do not provide both.

Your work history should meet the following criteria: well structured, succinct, and written in clear language.

Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give us examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role.

Consider giving examples that cover all the requirements in the ‘Who you are’ section and use work you have completed to demonstrate how you meet each one.

There will be an initial sift of applicants through comparing submitted evidence against the ‘Who you are’ bullets.

This usually takes two weeks, depending on the number of applications.

Those who make it through the initial sift will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profile interview.

In the Civil Service we use Success Profiles to help us find the right person for the job.

We will be using a mixture of methods to assess your abilities, strengths, experience, technical skills, and behaviours.

We highly recommend learning about Success Profiles and using the Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection (STARR) framework when structuring your answers.

The highest scoring candidates that pass the interview will be offered the roles.

The whole process can take up to a month.

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework at interview stage:

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

• Applicants invited for Interview

You will be required to give a 5-minute presentation based on the behaviour Changing and Improving at interview.

Details of this will be sent to those candidates who are invited for interview.

• Further Information

If you require any additional information about the role, please contact:

Andy Bailey, Head of Community Data Assurance: andy.bailey@justice.gov.uk

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows.

This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas).

All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working.

Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances.

Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.

This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map .

All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform.

The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service.

Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post.

Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week.

MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.

All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year.

Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day.

Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management.

There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www. www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices . You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk );
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ( resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk );
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here )

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form.

If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos .

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant.

The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 22273

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 22273

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