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Appointment of Data Analyst: Policy Development Group


Universities UK exists to promote, encourage and develop the universities
of the United Kingdom. It provides services to its members, the executive
heads (Vice-Chancellors and Principals) of all the UK universities and
campaigns on their behalf.

Our vision is of UK universities that are autonomous, properly funded from
a diversity of sources, accessible to all, delivering high quality teaching
and learning, and at the leading edge of research of regional, national and
international significance.

Our mission is to be the essential voice of UK universities by promoting
and supporting their work. By:

· Speaking out for a thriving and diverse higher education sector
which creates benefits for all.
· Providing and disseminating essential information.
· Bringing people together to share knowledge and good practice.

The office, based in central London, is headed by the Chief Executive,
Diana Warwick, and staffed by approximately 55 people making up three
Groups – External Relations & Communications, Policy Development and
Resources. We also have National Councils in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Universities UK current campaigning activities are focussed on:

· raising the profile of issues that concern universities;
· promoting positive messages about university education, research
and innovation to the nation;
· correcting misperceptions and pre-empting negative perceptions
about universities.

Universities UK has a strong profile in the media and with Government.

Our policy work is guided by Strategy Groups, which are made up of members
of Universities UK. Their work is formally approved through Universities
UK’s Board and general meetings of all the membership four times a year.
Universities UK also has consultative arrangements with various bodies in
the field of higher education.

Universities UK is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee with
charitable status.

For more information see our website at
<http://www.universitiesu.ac.uk/>www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk


General description of the post


The Data Analyst provides statistical advice and data services to support
the development and dissemination of Universities UK’s policies. The SDA
also collates and disseminates data of interest to Universities UK’s
members, the higher education (HE) sector and its stakeholders. The SDA is
located in the Policy Development Group (PDG) and reports to the Deputy
Director (Planning). The Data Analyst is part of a team of three Policy
Advisers, a Policy Officer and an Executive Assistant. The Data Analyst
works in collaboration with colleagues throughout Universities UK,
including the national offices in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Job Purpose

1. To provide statistical advice and data services to support the
development and dissemination of Universities UK’s policies to:
· the President, the Chief Executive, strategy group chairs,
individual members and staff in their institutions;
· staff in PDG, the External Relations and Communications Group
(ERCG), the Resources Group and Universities UK’s national offices;
· HE sector stakeholders, eg the Standing Conference of Principals
(SCOP), government departments, sector agencies, funding bodies,
professional associations, individual researchers;
· other external enquirers.

2. To identify, monitor, interpret and validate, as necessary, all
relevant sources of data on HEIs, trends in the HE sector and factors
impacting on these, including the economic and political context.

3. To collate, analyse and disseminate data of interest to Universities
UK’s members, the HE sector and its stakeholders.

4. To present and communicate quantitative information to a variety of
audiences in a clear and concise form.

5. To advise on the collection, interpretation and representation of
data in Universities UK’s research, policy development and dissemination
activities. This includes providing advice on, and input to: surveys,
reports, briefings, speeches, press releases, committee papers, responses
to consultations, evidence to parliamentary select committees, and
parliamentary questions.

6. To provide statistical advice on HE funding including contributing to
Universities UK’s submissions to the government spending reviews, and
analysing and interpreting the outcome of the reviews, Ministerial annual
grant letters to the funding bodies, individual funding allocations to HEIs
and budget statements by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

7. To advise on the cost implications of policies, particularly
proposals on student and institution funding.

8. To interpret data on a range of topics (for example, widening
participation, student achievement, graduate employment, international
trends, research, quality assurance, university estates), in their broader
context in order to inform policy and its dissemination.

9. To manage and conduct surveys including the biannual survey of the
Higher Education Pay and Prices Index (HEPPI) and the annual survey of
international student tuition fees.

10. To produce the annual Universities UK statistics leaflet, HE in Facts
and Figures.

11. To calculate members’ subscriptions, in collaboration with the Director
of Resources and Finance Manager.


Other duties


1. To liaise and negotiate with statisticians and policy advisers
or their equivalents from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA),
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the Universities and
Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), HE funding bodies, government
departments and other relevant organisations on the supply or
interpretation of data.

2. To liaise with the ERCG Press and Public Affairs Unit regarding
media and parliamentary coverage of the data aspects of Universities UK’s
policies and research.

3. To maintain and develop electronic information resources and to
work with the ERCG Knowledge and Information Team, particularly the
Information Officer, to review existing material and build up a library of
external data sources.

4. To undertake such other duties that may be required from time to
time by the Policy Development Group Director and Deputy Directors, and the
Chief Executive.



Person specification


             Essential knowledge and skills

(a) Excellent numerical skills.

(b) Highly developed statistical skills and expertise.

(c) Ability to find, collate, assimilate, validate and use
numerical data from a wide variety of sources.

(d) At least 3 years experience in the analysis,
interpretation and representation of quantitative data including experience
of data and sample selection.

(e) Good written and oral communications skills with the
ability to present and communicate quantitative information in a clear and
concise manner, including to non-statistical audiences.

(f) Good computer skills (Universities UK currently uses
Microsoft Office 2000), including advanced knowledge of Excel.

(g) Experience of applying creativity to problem solving to
develop new approaches to the analysis, interpretation and representation
of quantitative data.

(h) Ability to plan and manage own time and several
projects at once often working to tight deadlines.

(i) Self-motivation and the ability to work largely
unsupervised.

(j) Ability to work cooperatively in multi-skilled teams
and to contribute effectively to team decisions.

(k) Experience and ability to work with all kinds of
people, including professional and senior staff who will have varying
degrees of understanding of quantitative data.

             Educational Requirements

a) A degree or equivalent in a subject with a strong numerical
component, eg Economics.

             Desirable knowledge and skills

(a) Knowledge of the policy development process.
(b) An awareness of the public relations and campaigning aspects of
policy development.
(c) An awareness of public policy making and its political context.
(d) Knowledge of UK higher education and relevant sources of data.
(e) An understanding of working in a membership organisation.




Terms and Conditions of Employment


· The successful candidate will be appointed at a starting salary
circa within the scale £28,219 to £34,490 per annum (Technical Band). The
starting salary will be determined by qualifications and experience.
Salaries are reviewed annually and are subject to an annual appraisal process.

· Normal hours of work are 35 per week. This post is required to
work normally 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, with one hour for
lunch, although it will be necessary to work outside these hours from time
to time. Universities UK currently operates a flexitime policy.

· Universities UK operates a no-smoking policy in its offices at
Woburn House. At present a smoking room is available to staff.

· Basic holiday entitlement is five weeks (25 working days) per
year. In addition, the office is closed for statutory public holidays and
also on six other days each year, including the days between Christmas and
New Year.

· There is a probationary period of six months during which the
successful candidate will undergo a process of continuous assessment. The
appointment will be confirmed once this period is satisfactorily completed.

· The post is superannuable including a personal contribution and an
employer’s contribution.

Application

The closing date for applications is 10am on Friday 10 December
2004. Application forms should be returned to Personnel, Universities UK,
Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 16 December 2004. Candidates will be
requested to bring to the interview a sample of recent work that shows
presentation and analysis of data. Candidates selected for interview will
be contacted by Rebecca Blake or Samantha Harris.



Equal opportunities policy statement


Universities UK welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of
gender, race, disability, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin,
religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or marital status. Suitability
will be judged on relevant professional criteria and there will be no
discrimination on other grounds.