Analytical Advisor

at  National Infrastructure Commission

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Commission’s work is highly varied, and analysts can expect to develop deep knowledge across some sectors as well as apply their skills flexibly across a range of other areas. The Commission’s work plan for 2024 includes analysis of electricity distribution networks, water quality, and infrastructure costs and needs Analytical Advisors to support it, ensuring its work is founded on the best available evidence.

An indicative list of priorities for these roles could include:

• Applying and developing existing modelling which looks at the impact of policy recommendations on different groups of people (distributional analysis)
• Working with senior analysts to deliver analysis on projects including:
• electricity distribution networks; modelling demand, creating scenarios and taking a strategic view of the system;
• infrastructure costs; international benchmarking of data, communicating complex frameworks and systems thinking;
• water quality and wastewater; understanding investment in water quality, linking to environmental outcomes.
• wider NIC analysis projects: economic regulation and commercial insights; public spending frameworks and fiscal analysis, and applying natural capital frameworks to economic infrastructure.
• Developing and leveraging relationships with analysts in government, industry and academia to advise and steer the Commission’s work
• Supporting the wider analytical team with quality assurance

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are looking for experienced analysts with a keen interest in infrastructure analysis, the ability to break down complex real-world problems into practical analytical steps, and experience of delivering quality-assured quantitative insights at pace. The successful candidates will provide high-quality analysis and advice to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).

ESSENTIAL BEHAVIOURS, EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Please note that you will need to refer to the below in your application form.

• Good analytical skills with experience of applying quantitative analytical skills in a policy/strategy-facing role, including the ability to deliver high quality, clearly communicated and influential quantitative analysis.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, experience of producing analysis of social or economic policy using large datasets and dealing with complex spreadsheets. At least one of the roles will require proficient knowledge of working in R, with the ability to develop new models and to review, update and manage existing models, and apply these to real-world policy questions.
• Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand and communicate effectively in writing.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Have an understanding and knowledge of how the role fits with and supports the organisation’s objectives and the wider public needs, and understanding how wider changes in the political and regulatory landscape impact the NIC.

Knowledge and experience of analysis across any of the six infrastructure sectors covered by the NIC (digital, energy, flooding, transport, waste and water) would be an advantage in these roles but is not essential.
The analytical advisor role is open to all who can demonstrate relevant analytical experience, including existing members of one of the government analytical professions (e.g. GORS, GES, GSS, GSR).

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree in a relevant analytical subject (statistics, economics, mathematics, operational research, data science etc).

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Analytical and problem-solving skills You must be able to: Apply analytical techniques to present a solution Identify efficient & effective ways to use data analysis to overcome challenges, applying innovative techniques to make data driven decisions

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £38,513, National Infrastructure Commission contributes £10,399 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant)
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help meet the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes

Things you need to know

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)

TYPE OF ROLE

Analytical
Economist
Operational Research
Social Research

The Commission’s core responsibilities include:

• producing a National Infrastructure Assessment once every five years, setting out the Commission’s assessment of long-term infrastructure needs with recommendations to government on how to meet them;
• carrying out in-depth studies into the UK’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, making recommendations to government; and
• monitoring the government’s progress in delivering infrastructure projects and programmes recommended by the NIC

An indicative list of priorities for these roles could include:

• Applying and developing existing modelling which looks at the impact of policy recommendations on different groups of people (distributional analysis)
• Working with senior analysts to deliver analysis on projects including:
• electricity distribution networks; modelling demand, creating scenarios and taking a strategic view of the system;
• infrastructure costs; international benchmarking of data, communicating complex frameworks and systems thinking;
• water quality and wastewater; understanding investment in water quality, linking to environmental outcomes.
• wider NIC analysis projects: economic regulation and commercial insights; public spending frameworks and fiscal analysis, and applying natural capital frameworks to economic infrastructure.
• Developing and leveraging relationships with analysts in government, industry and academia to advise and steer the Commission’s work
• Supporting the wider analytical team with quality assuranc