SEO Analyst

Ministry of Justice; United States; Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work arrangement

Learning & development budget

Job summary

Ministry of Justice is seeking a senior data analyst for the PNC and CH teams to lead publications, oversee internal sharing of PNC data, and develop a new SharePoint site with guidance for accessing PNC data. You will influence policy through robust analytical outputs and collaborate with senior stakeholders.

The role requires GORS/GSS status, strong data storytelling skills, and the ability to work under pressure with flexible arrangements.

Qualifications

• SEO grade: Significant work experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills.
• Ability to influence change with thoroughly quality assured and documented analysis.
• Comfortable working in a high‑pressure environment with tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of key team publications and analyses.
• Gatekeep internal requests for PNC data extracts and support external data sharing.
• Develop guidance, train users, and improve self‑service resources (SharePoint, dashboards).
• Provide line management to an HEO analyst and ensure performance development.
• Manage secure upload and access to PNC data on MoJ Analytical Platform; provide quarterly assurance returns.

Skills

Data analysis

GORS knowledge

Strong communication

Tools

SQL

Git

Job description

Flexible Working & Culture

• 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.

About the role

SEO Roles in Police National Computer and Criminal Histories (PNC and CH) Team – The post holder will lead and support the delivery of key team publications, including Offender Histories and First Time Entrants to the Criminal Justice System. A key aspect of the role is overseeing the internal sharing of Ministry of Justice Police National Computer (PNC) data in line with the requirements agreed with the police accreditor. The post holder will also lead the development of a new SharePoint site to improve guidance on accessing PNC data and establish a PNC user working group. Additionally, the post holder will lead on developing our analysis around prolific offenders and delivering a future prolific publication. They will also have the opportunity to further use their analytical skills to deepen our understanding of the wealth of data on the MoJ extract of the PNC.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

• Work with the G7 and wider team to deliver key publications, including Offender Histories, and develop new analysis on prolific offenders, engaging policy colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure outputs meet user needs.
• Act as the gatekeeper for all internal requests for extracts of the MoJ copy of PNC, while supporting the existing HEO lead on external PNC data sharing.
• Manage and continually improve PNC data access and governance processes, including developing user guidance, supporting applicants through approval requirements, and enhancing self‑service resources through a dedicated SharePoint site.
• Provide line management to an HEO analyst, ensuring effective performance and development.
• Lead the secure upload and access management of PNC data on the MoJ Analytical Platform, and provide quarterly assurance returns to the police on PNC data held within the platform.
• Develop and implement a training offer for users of the PNC extract, increasing capability and promoting consistent use of the data.
• Respond to Freedom of Information requests, Parliamentary Questions and ad hoc analytical commissions relating to PNC data.
• Support continuous improvement through: enhancing data products and tools such as R Shiny applications, Power BI dashboards and other self‑service analytical solutions.

Requirements

• Application of GORS or GSS membership evidence at application stage is required; confirmation of passing the GORS or GSS badging board or an email from the current line manager confirming GORS or GSS badged status is mandatory. Applicants who do not provide this will be rejected.
• SEO grade: Significant work experience evidencing use of data and/or analytical skills. Time spent on an analytical PhD can count towards this.
• A strong analyst who can use data to solve complex problems and influence change, ensuring all analysis is thoroughly quality assured and documented.
• Someone who is happy to work flexibly in a high‑pressure environment with often very challenging and competing deadlines.
• An excellent communicator, both written and orally, with experience of presenting data, who can translate complex technical analysis in a non‑technical way and able to represent the team at meetings including with senior stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, partners and colleagues, managing expectations when required.
• A self‑leader with strong organisational skills, able to use best practice documentation and QA processes at pace and plan your own and your work when faced with competing priorities and ability to push back where necessary.
• Must secure Non‑Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2 Clearance, and SC clearance, requiring continuous residency in the UK for the previous 5 years at the point of application once in post – this role is only based at 102 Petty France, London.

Desirable skills & experience

• Experience of working with SQL and Git, but this is not essential as training can be provided.
• Experience of working within the Ministry of Justice Analytical Platform environment.
• Experience of working with government data, and/or producing official statistics in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.
• Experience of responding to PQs and FOI requests.

Professional competency & behaviour

• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Technical Knowledge & Skills – GSS: Data Analysis; GORS: Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques.
• Influence & Impact – GSS: Presenting and disseminating data effectively; GORS: Achieving impact with analysis.

Security clearance

Level 2 Non‑Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) and Security Clearance (SC) are required. The role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Working hours & arrangement

Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week. The role offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years' service. 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 calculated on a pro‑rated basis.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks: Opportunity to join employee‑run networks such as minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women employees, and LGBT employees.
• Support: Family‑Friendly policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share; flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts; childcare voucher implications detailed.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Salary

Due to the role(s) being analytical, those successful in recruitment will be eligible for a specialist allowance following an analytical interview based on the following values:

• SEO London: £500
• SEO National: £1500