Senior Data & Performance Analyst (PO5)

Job Description

Job title: Senior Data & Performance Analyst (PO5)
Job Category: IT
Location: 222 Upper Street, London, Islington, N1 1XR, London Borough of Islington
Hours per week: 37
Salary: £215.39 per day
Basic DBS Required
1 day a week in the office, 4 days a week remote working
Overview of the role
The principle focus of this role is to help to deliver the Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) reforms, Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies.
As a Senior Data and Performance Analyst, you will have significant knowledge and experience in the skills, tools and techniques of Data Analytics and you will apply this to effectively support the organisation in delivering these strategic programmes. You will lead data analysis projects, apply advanced analytical techniques, and provide strategic insights to support strategic decision-making, service performance improvement and transformation. You will provide day-to-day direction and support to junior analysts to ensure timely delivery of analytical outputs. You will also collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather requirements and translate these into insightful data analytical products. You will develop deep expertise in the existing services being delivered and help to design the new service structures. You will help to design changes to recording systems and ensure the service can meet new statutory reporting requirements in collaboration with the related service areas.

Key responsibilities
Analysis and Synthesis of data
• Utilise advanced analytical tools and techniques to conduct in-depth data analysis and create insightful visualisations that drive both strategic decision-making and insights for performance improvement of Services. Demonstrate a deep understanding of service objectives to translate high-level business goals into measurable performance metrics that provide clear insights into service effectiveness and efficiency.

• Undertake independent analytical projects, working with other data professionals to suggest where data extracts, feeds or streams would help to build insight. Translate these insights into a variety of visual, clear reports which help the business make better, quicker decisions. Develop deeper expertise in a narrower range of specialisms and collaborate effectively with data professionals that have different specialisms.

• Lead a team on the use of a variety of analysis tools to provide complex analysis and concise insight to stakeholders for action and, providing day-to-day oversight of data management, reporting and analysis, including performance improvement. Provide guidance to the data analysis team on the selection and application of analytical techniques, while critically reviewing colleagues’ findings to ensure adherence to best practices and maintain high-quality standards.

• Proactively identify, promote and present insightful findings from data analysis, including performance and outcome information that inform key decision-making processes, ensuring that performance information drives strategic initiatives and operational improvements.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of comprehensive performance measurement frameworks, including the creation and management of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with business/organisational goals, user needs, and desired outcomes. Drive a culture of performance and accountability by embedding performance into business planning cycle and continuous improvement processes. Ensure that deliverables such as internal performance reports and returns to central government are met in an accurate and timely manner.

• Lead on the development of reporting on new statutory returns through collaboration with the relevant services ensuring performance deliverables, including internal reports and statutory returns, are accurate, timely and aligned with corporate standards for data quality and integrity.
Communication and Reporting
• Present data in settings ranging from operational meetings to high profile strategic partnerships, guiding the effective interpretation of data authoritatively and communicating with influence. Summarise and present data and key conclusions in clear, user-friendly formats tailored to the needs of different audiences, translating complex technical concepts into accessible language for stakeholders. Use a variety of data visualisation tools and techniques, applying standards and best practices. Lead collaborative cocreation of interactive data visualisation tools such as live dashboards.
• Actively listen and communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders in a variety of roles and build strong collaborative relationships, both external and internal with colleagues to help define analytical needs, manage expectations and ensure clarity throughout process. Manage communication proactively and reactively, ensuring effective information flow with all stakeholders, and support or facilitate challenging discussions within the team or with senior stakeholders to resolve issues constructively
Data Management
• Identify appropriate ways to collect, collate and prepare data sets and direct other members of staff, ensuring correct protocols and procedures are followed. Supervise the preparation of datasets that can be updated easily and guide staff to automate processes.
• Make judgments as to whether data are accurate and fit for purpose; support services in maintaining good data quality through the development of data quality auditing systems. Develop capability and capacity on performance and data within the organisation and with partners.
Project Leadership
• Scope, develop, manage and deliver a concurrent portfolio of analytical projects within the data insight and performance team, providing leadership and ensuring the effective execution of analytics initiatives.
• Lead and manage data analysis of projects from initiation through to delivery, ensuring alignment with service/directorate objectives and timely execution. Take a lead role as a data analytics expert amongst colleagues within multidisciplinary teams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and maintain effective internal and external working relationships and responsive service to ensure seamless coordination, communication, and successful project outcomes.
Mentorship and Training
• Mentor and guide junior analysts by providing ongoing training and support in data analysis techniques and best practices, while fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the team through knowledge sharing and development.
• Review and provide expert advice to junior team members, helping to establish standardised processes, best practices, and templates that enhance the efficiency, consistency, and quality of data and data visualisations.
• Any additional duties consistent with the grade and level of responsibility of this position, for which the holder possesses the required experience and/or

Compliance
Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and policy requirements under GDPR, Health and Safety, Employee Code of Conduct and in your area of expertise by identifying opportunities and risks, and escalating issues as necessary specification
Your application form needs to demonstrate how you fulfil the role’s requirements. It is essential to address the criteria, as this will be used to evaluate your suitability for the position.

Essential and desirable criteria
Essential: the basic requirements that must be met for someone to be considered for a particular job. These criteria are mandatory and cannot be negotiated. Essential criteria directly impact the core qualifications or skills necessary to perform the job effectively.

Desirable: the additional qualities, skills, or qualifications that would be advantageous for a candidate to possess but are not mandatory. Not meeting them does not automatically disqualify someone from consideration for the job. This also allows candidates who do not possess certain desirable criteria the opportunity to explain how their other knowledge, experience and skills relate to these and what they may be in the process of doing or willing to do to achieve these.

Knowledge, experience, and skills
1 Educated to degree level in a numerate field or equivalent experience.
2 Postgraduate qualification in a substantially numerate or related field, such as mathematics, statistics, public health or social science, or equivalent significant work experience in a data related role.
3 Experience working in local government, such as children’s services, housing, adult social care, environment, public health and healthcare, academia, or a related field. Essential
4 Proven experience and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with external organisations and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and outcomes.
5 Experience in leading and managing projects, overseeing all phases from initiation to completion, ensuring successful delivery within scope, time, and budget constraints.
6 Experience in line management, including overseeing team performance, providing guidance and support, and promoting professional development to achieve organisational objectives.
7 Highly numerate with skills and experience of analysis, interpretation and presentation of quantitative data.

8 Significant knowledge and experience working with diverse public sector data sources, along with a good understanding of the public sector and its data frameworks.
9 Proficient in managing and manipulating large datasets, utilising tools such as spreadsheets, databases, and statistical analysis software (e.g., Excel, SQL, STATA, or equivalent), as well as and platforms like Python, R, and Power BI.
10 Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to develop and deliver complex statistical / epidemiological presentations (verbal and written) to a high standard in a range of settings and at a range of levels.
11 Demonstrated ability to adapt and work effectively in a dynamic and evolving environment.
12 Ability to supervise and provide guidance and to support the development of staff