Job summary

Central Government is the biggest business in Britain. Operational Research (OR) specialists advise Government on how to make the best possible use of public money. With their skills in problem structuring, modelling and analysis, they help formulate Government policy and find effective ways of putting it into practice.

Operational Research is about working with policy makers and managers to generate the most appropriate options for future action. OR analysts use a range of analytical techniques, from detailed statistical analysis, simulation, and mathematical modelling through to facilitation and problem structuring so that they can explore problems and give objective advice.

Job description

OR Mainstream analysts carry out the analysis that can help answer vital questions such as:

• How can we measure and improve the quality of service in education, health, benefits and other public bodies?
• How much grant will be required next year to create new jobs in industry?
• How can we compare the relative value of government expenditure on roads, health and education?

Person specification

The Government Operational Research Service (GORS) is the umbrella organisation that provides management support to all members, including data scientists, across central government.

When you join us, you’ll be assigned to a department that has the most suitable opportunity and that meets your location preferences. To broaden your project experience, you can expect to move between departments throughout the early stages of your career.

Qualifications

Please read the next paragraph before applying. If you do not have the appropriate qualifications we are unlikely to accept your application.

You must have (or expect to have in the next year) a highly mathematical degree to join GORS, which must be one of the following: a minimum 2:1, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience, or a postgraduate qualification. To meet our definition of a highly numerate degree, at least half of your degree course must be from one or more of the following subjects: maths, physics, astrophysics, operational research, management science, engineering (civil, chemical, electronic), data science, decision science, statistics, econometrics or similar.

Please provide details of your bachelor's and any postgraduate degrees (even if you are still studying for it) ensuring that you include:

• Type of qualification (for example BSc, MSc, PhD);
• Course or qualification title (for example Maths, Physics, OR);
• Subjects, modules or thesis (listed by each year they were taken);
• Degree class or mark awarded or expected (for example 1st, 2:1, MSc);

If you do not provide all these detail, we may not be able to fully assess your eligibility.

You must be able to explain highly technical concepts in plain English.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Knowledge and Application of OR Skills and Techniques
• Achieving Impact with Analysis

Benefits

• Pensions: Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates
• Benefits: Varies by Department
• Allowances: Varies by Department
• Annual Leave: Allowance varies by department

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