Data Analyst

Darlington, Manchester, Wolverhampton Job Summary We are MHCLG Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives.   Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time.   We have over 3,500 staff who are based in 20 offices across the UK. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Digital Planning Programme within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Our mission is to modernise the planning system through digital transformation, making it more transparent, accessible, and efficient for everyone. We are delivering tangible improvements to support communities across the UK, creating great places to live and work. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing, analysing and maintaining planning data within digital platforms, ensuring datasets are accurate, complete, consistent, and aligned with agreed standards and governance requirements. Responsibilities will include reviewing, validating, cleansing, and uploading data, carrying out data quality assurance checks, and supporting users and stakeholders to resolve data-related issues in a timely and effective manner. In addition to operational data management activities, the role will support analytical and reporting work by monitoring performance information, identifying trends or anomalies, and contributing to data-driven insights that support service improvement and decision-making. Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment. Job Description As a Data Analyst, you'll: • Manage and maintain planning data within digital platforms and systems, ensuring datasets are accurate, complete, and aligned with required standards • Review, validate, cleanse, and upload data while carrying out data quality assurance checks and resolving discrepancies or inconsistencies • Investigate, manage, and resolve Jira support tickets relating to data, platform, and user issues within agreed timescales • Work collaboratively with technical and delivery teams to troubleshoot problems, identify root causes, and implement fixes or improvements • Support users and stakeholders with data-related queries and provide clear updates on issue resolution and progress • Support analytical, reporting, and performance monitoring activities to help inform service improvement and decision-making • Maintain accurate records of data changes, updates, and issue resolutions in line with governance and operational processes • Contribute to continuous improvement activities and work effectively within agile multidisciplinary teams while maintaining strong attention to detail and accuracy As a Data Analyst, You'll • Manage and maintain planning data within digital platforms and systems, ensuring datasets are accurate, complete, and aligned with required standards • Review, validate, cleanse, and upload data while carrying out data quality assurance checks and resolving discrepancies or inconsistencies • Investigate, manage, and resolve Jira support tickets relating to data, platform, and user issues within agreed timescales • Work collaboratively with technical and delivery teams to troubleshoot problems, identify root causes, and implement fixes or improvements • Support users and stakeholders with data-related queries and provide clear updates on issue resolution and progress • Support analytical, reporting, and performance monitoring activities to help inform service improvement and decision-making • Maintain accurate records of data changes, updates, and issue resolutions in line with governance and operational processes • Contribute to continuous improvement activities and work effectively within agile multidisciplinary teams while maintaining strong attention to detail and accuracy Person specification As a Data Analyst, You'll Have • Strong attention to detail with the ability to work accurately and consistently when managing large volumes of data • Experience of data administration, data quality assurance, or maintaining datasets within digital systems or platforms. Experience with geospatial data would be an advantage • Experience of using Power BI to develop dashboards, reports, and data visualisations is desirable • Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve data or system issues in a structured and methodical way • Experience using tools such as Excel, Jira, SQL, or similar systems for data management and issue tracking • Good organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work within agreed timescales • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders • Experience working collaboratively within teams to support operational delivery and continuous improvement activities • An interest in data, digital services, and using data to support service improvement and decision-making Alongside your salary of £36,169, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £10,478 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here. Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Selection process details Application and Selection The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles: Behaviours , Experience , Strengths , Technical Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information. Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link. Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading. Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter) Experience & Technical: Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page referencing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description. Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead sift question listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview. Lead sift question (Technical): Tell us about a time you were responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of data or information within a system or service. What approach did you take and what was the outcome? Stage 2: Interview • Behaviours: "Working Together", "Managing A Quality Service", "Delivering at Pace" • Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description. • Strengths: The strength-based questions will require natural responses from the candidates. Sift and Interview Dates Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 8th June 2026. Interviews are envisaged to take place the week commencing 22nd June 2026 and are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change. How We Recruit Find out everything you need to know before applying here.. • Applying • Sifting • Interview • Interview Results & Feedback • Reserve List • Near Miss • Civil Service Grades • We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer • Reasonable Adjustments How To Apply What you need to know before applying. • Security Clearance Requirements • Civil Service Nationality Requirements • Right to Work • Artificial Intelligence • Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles • CV Declaration • Sponsorships • Salary and Grade • Existing Civil Servants • Conflict of Interest • Location and Flexible Working • Fixed Term Contracts • Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register • Appeals and Complaints • Conflict of Interest Security Clearance Requirements National Office: BPSS Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact • Name : Digital Data Jobs • Email : Digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk Recruitment team • Email : Digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk Further information About If you are unsure about any part of the process or require additional information about the post to enable you to progress your application, you should speak to the Resourcing team - Recruitment@communities.gov.uk. Candidates can appeal at any stage of the recruitment process if they believe there has been: • a procedural irregularity • an infringement of the Civil Service equal opportunities policy • exceptional circumstances which were not notified to the interview panel which might have affected performance on the day. It is important to note that these are appeals about the process not the decision. In the first instance, an appeal should be directed to the MHCLG Resourcing Hub at Recruitment@communities.gov.uk. If the MHCLG Resourcing Hub is unable to satisfactorily resolve your complaint, you may contact put your complaint in writing to the Civil Service Commission, Room G8,1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ or by email to: info@csc.gov.uk