Senior Research Analyst

Crown Prosecution Service; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental body in the UK is seeking two experienced analysts to lead significant data analysis projects. You will apply statistical techniques, including regression modelling, to enhance understanding of the criminal justice system. The ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills to convey complex findings to non-technical stakeholders. This role offers opportunities for hybrid working and contributes directly to key initiatives aimed at reducing disproportionality in charging decisions.

Benefits

Civil Service pension

Generous leave

Flexible working options

Personal development funds

Qualifications

• Experience applying statistical techniques to operational data.
• Membership in a government analytical profession or equivalent experience.
• Ability to translate complex findings for lay audiences.
• Experience of working semi-independently on analytical projects.
• Knowledge of coding languages like R or Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical projects exploring CPS and CJS data.
• Establish effective stakeholder networks for dissemination of findings.
• Quality assure analysis focusing on disproportionality.
• Communicate findings to stakeholders and governance groups.
• Identify key opportunities from cross-CJS data datasets.

Skills

Statistical techniques

Regression modelling

Communication skills

Analytical project leadership

Coding languages (R or Python)

Education

Degree or higher in a relevant field

Tools

SPSS

Job description

Overview

The demand for accurate and timely data on the criminal justice system is continually growing, as the benefits of evidence-based policy making become more and more apparent. The Crown Prosecution Service has access to a unique wealth of data and is growing their analytical capability to inform real and tangible improvements to the delivery of criminal justice. Sitting in the CPS' Policy Directorate, the Strategic Research Team provides high-quality evidence to ensure informed decision-making through a programme of research and analysis aligned with CPS priorities, including exploratory analysis of CPS/CJS data to better understand drivers of performance. The team consists of eight analysts with a mix of quantitative and qualitative expertise. It works alongside other lawyers and policy leads to understand criminal justice priorities and to communicate the research meaningfully within the CJS, Whitehall and Westminster. You will lead on ongoing analysis aligned with CPS strategic priorities. The specific projects/deliverables that the postholder may work on (though this may change depending on business needs/priorities) include:

• Analysis focusing on understanding and predicting the factors that affect the progression of CPS cases against suspects from arrest through to court. The team has developed proof of concept models and the postholder could continue leading on this work.
• Analysis focusing on understanding and predicting the factors that affect victim attrition through cases.
• Working with other government analysts and policy colleagues on the cross-CJS Alpha dataset: identifying key opportunities to use analysis and data from the data, promoting the use of this data across the CJS to help solve problems and answering questions in the CJS policy space.
• General exploratory analysis of the CPS' data universes to better understand what analysis is possible.

Role 1 – Responsibilities

• Lead a variety of analytical projects exploring CPS (and wider criminal justice system, CJS) data, demonstrating knowledge and experience of analytical methods and techniques, including carrying out complex analysis to a high standard. The CPS' current analytical resource is small, so the postholder must be able to take the lead in designing analysis to address stakeholders' needs, determining the appropriate methods and analysis, and leading the delivery of high-profile projects. There may also be opportunities to work on forecasting of various CPS metrics, working with the CPS' Operational Performance Reporting and Analysis team.
• Establish an effective network of colleagues and stakeholders. The postholder will work closely with a range of specialist staff within the CPS, including establishing professional relationships with other CPS analysts, and analysts in other government departments. The postholder will also have regular contact with senior leaders, to disseminate findings and provide updates.
• You may manage a junior analyst in the team, and will often be matrix managing junior analysts/colleagues.

Role 2

In November 2024, the CPS set out its Action Plan to tackle disproportionality in charging decisions. The action plan was developed after research, commissioned by the CPS and overseen by an independent Disproportionality Advisory Group, found that defendants from minority ethnic backgrounds were significantly more likely to be charged for a comparable offence than white British defendants. This research builds on findings from an earlier study, published in February 2023, which found evidence of disparity. The latest research has sought to understand this in more detail and importantly identify the actions that can be taken to address it.

We are looking for a proactive and experienced researcher to lead on the ongoing analysis of disproportionality to support delivery of our Action Plan. The postholder will lead on CPS data at the charging decision stage (and potentially beyond) aligned with CPS strategic priorities around the delivery of the Disproportionality Action Plan.

Role 2 – Responsibilities

• Establishing robust monitoring measures of disproportionality at charge, using regression modelling (methodology as established in the 2022 analysis carried out by academics at the University of Leeds) to produce measures including unadjusted and adjusted charge rates, odds ratios and data trends.
• Quality assure the analysis and establish methods to ensure disproportionality monitoring can be ongoing.
• Communicate the findings to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leaders and governance groups.
• Explore other methods to analyse the data and build upon the established findings and methods.
• Carry out other analysis as required to explore the data and support the monitoring and evaluation of disproportionality as set out in the Action Plan.

Recruitment process and requirements

A copy of the full job description is available if requested from [e-mail]. This vacancy uses Success Profiles to assess Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Recruitment process includes online application, interview and assessment starting in late October. Interviews are held online via Microsoft Teams.

We are looking for two skilled and experienced analysts to join the team. These roles are high profile and will be instrumental in demonstrating the value of research and analysis in addressing key criminal justice challenges and helping to drive up analytical standards. The roles would be suited to proactive analysts who want to take the lead in defining and delivering analysis projects, as well as setting up processes and building CPS' analytical capability.

Qualifications and skills

• Knowledge and experience of applying statistical techniques to operational data, including regression modelling.
• Membership of a government analytical profession or equivalent experience and relevant qualifications such as a degree or higher that involved statistical techniques and inferential testing. Applicants who are not already badged are encouraged to become badged within the first year of taking up post.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with experience translating complex technical findings for lay audiences.
• Experience of leading analytical projects, working semi-independently, and experience of working with teams and stakeholders to deliver analysis.
• Knowledge and experience of using coding languages (such as R or Python) to carry out analysis, or statistical packages such as SPSS.

Desirable but not required: experience of managing teams to deliver analysis and the core Civil Service success profiles behaviours (Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service).

Technical and security

• GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and baseline security checks.

Benefits and diversity

The Crown Prosecution Service offers a range of benefits, including a Civil Service pension, generous leave, personal development funds, and flexible working options. We are an equal opportunities employer and support reasonable adjustments through the Disability Confident scheme. We also encourage a hybrid working policy and request spending at least 40% of contracted hours at court, in an office, or another official workplace depending on business need.