Job Summary 

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is a well-established organisation in the heart of government responsible for providing actuarial advice and analysis to various government departments and public sector bodies in areas including contingent risks, insurance, pensions, and social security. Using statistical analysis and modelling approaches, GAD plays a crucial role in helping the Government make informed decisions on a range of policy issues and ensuring that public sector finances are managed in a sustainable and effective way.

The Analytical Solutions Team works across a wide spectrum of analytical work performed by the Department, as well as participating in a growing and diverse range of bespoke data analysis and model building for Government. The team serves as a platform for innovation and change within GAD. We will look to you to pro-actively contribute to this by embracing new technologies and ways of working as well as spread their use across GAD. As part of a drive to modernise analytical processes we are seeking individuals with proficient experience of programming tools such as R, Python or SQL to perform data analysis.

You will be responsible for leading the production of work across a portfolio of projects, aiming to deliver on time, at cost, and to a high quality. This will involve managing the work produced by junior colleagues and conducting high quality engagement with GAD’s client leads, starting from the scoping of new analysis through to the communication of analytical outcomes. As part of your role, we expect you to help grow and develop both your own skills, and those of junior colleagues to help meet the evolving nature of our analysis.

You do not have to have extensive domain-specific knowledge for this role, but we expect you to be familiar and well-practised at defining a plan for analysis as well as providing quality assurance on the output.

Job Description

1. To contribute to the provision of high-quality analytical advice to a range of public service clients, and across a range of technical areas. The role will need to be undertaken in accordance with GAD’s values; our goal of agile working is particularly relevant in this context.

2. Specific areas of work may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Undertaking analysis of datasets of all sizes to support robust decision-making and the formulation of client advice.
• Preparing reports, documentation or other dissemination products to communicate analysis in an effective manner.
• Developing or critically reviewing tools, processes and models for use by external parties such as other Government Departments and individuals.
• Co-ordination/development of cross-GAD materials (e.g. concepts related to data science, modern analytical techniques, best practice) to support work.

3. To contribute to the successful delivery of the projects carried out by the Analytical Solutions Team, which can be varied and unpredictable. This will require an ability to problem solve and work flexibly, adapting to new technologies, techniques, and ways of working. The role will require an ability to apply existing understanding to new and unfamiliar situations.4. To work with colleagues to ensure all work is appropriately scoped and delivered in an efficient and timely manner with a focus on providing value for money for our clients. This may include:

• Specifying work, monitoring output and providing feedback
• Effective project management including managing of budgets
• Motivating and team building
• Operational duties – scheduling work, leave management, etc

5. In all cases the role requires a consistently high level of service to be provided and for work to be undertaken within professional requirements. This includes

• Providing/supporting appropriate quality advice (oral or written) to agreed time-scales and within budget, as necessary;
• Utilising innovative approaches to improve work processes
• Adapting to changing client needs and balancing conflicting priorities;
• Complying with GAD guidance.

6. To help contribute to the development of more junior colleagues, including the line management of such colleagues.

Person specification

Please refer to the job description for more information about the role and the assessment criteria.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:

• Extensive talent, career and personal development
• 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition we offer 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time staff)
• Generous defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme
• Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Access to employee assistance programme and occupational health
• Community volunteering programme, the opportunity to join a trade union, and discounted membership of local and national sports and social groups
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Salary advances for travel costs, including annual season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes
• Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent staff

Things you need to know

Selection process details