Smart Data Analyst

Smart Data Analyst – Department for Business and Trade

The Department for Business and Trade is recruiting 2 Smart Data Analysts to support research, analysis and policy development across Smart Data, competition and consumer policy.

This is an 18-month temporary opportunity at Senior Executive Officer grade, with positions available across several UK locations.

Job Details

• Job title: Smart Data Analyst
• Employer: Department for Business and Trade
• Reference: 482665
• Salary: £44,913 – £53,230
• London salary: £48,913 – £53,230
• National salary: £44,913 – £49,230
• Specialist allowance: £4,515 annual uplift may be available for the Analyst speciality, depending on qualifications/membership
• Grade: Senior Executive Officer
• Contract: Temporary, fixed term, loan or secondment
• Duration: 18 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working and job share
• Vacancies: 2
• Locations: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London and Salford
• Closing date: Friday 16 October 2026 at 11:55pm

Visa Sponsorship

The Department for Business and Trade will not sponsor a visa or issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this vacancy.

Applicants should therefore ensure they already have the required right to work in the UK before applying.

About the Role

The Analysis team consists of around 20 analysts supporting research, appraisal and evaluation across the directorate.

The successful candidates will contribute to analysis covering areas including:

• Smart Data
• Competition policy
• Consumer policy
• Product safety policy
• Subsidy control

The role will involve working with policy teams and providing analysis throughout the policy development process, including early problem identification, options assessment and policy evaluation.

You will also design, manage and deliver internal and external research projects to strengthen the evidence base around Smart Data policy.

The UK Government’s Smart Data Strategy, published in March 2026, sets out a 10-year vision for Smart Data and commitments to deliver more Smart Data schemes over the coming years.

Key Requirements

Applicants must be, or be able to become, a badged member of either the Government Economic Service (GES) or Government Social Research (GSR) profession.

Essential experience includes:

• Using analysis to support sound policy development
• Collaborating with colleagues from different professions and backgrounds
• Communicating analysis effectively to non-technical audiences
• Making and communicating effective decisions where information may be limited or conflicting

Government Economic Service Requirements

Applicants seeking entry through the Government Economic Service route must generally have:

• A first or upper second-class honours degree in economics, or an international equivalent, or a postgraduate degree in economics
• Both macroeconomics and microeconomics as part of their studies

Applicants will also need to demonstrate the technical skills, knowledge and experience required for the grade under the GES framework.

Applicants who are not existing GES members, including applicants from outside government, must demonstrate that they meet the relevant professional requirements.

Government Social Research Requirements

Applicants applying through the Government Social Research route must meet one of the following routes:

• An undergraduate degree of at least 2:2 containing substantial social research methods training, including quantitative research methods and at least three specified areas of research methodology; or
• An undergraduate degree of at least 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent qualification, together with at least four years of social research practice experience.

Applicants must also demonstrate the required technical skills, knowledge and experience for the GSR grade.

Behaviours Assessed

The selection process will assess:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Application Process

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• A CV of no more than 2 A4 pages, covering career history, relevant responsibilities and achievements
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words explaining how their skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria

The application will initially be assessed against the Experience criteria under the Civil Service Success Profiles.

Interviews will normally be conducted virtually, although in-person interviews may be considered by exception.

The department expects the sift to take place approximately 1–2 weeks after the closing date, with interviews approximately 3–5 weeks after the closing date, subject to change.

Benefits

The role includes:

• Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working options
• Inclusion and diversity initiatives
• Support for learning and professional development

Important Information

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs can apply, but will only be considered on a loan or secondment basis respectively, subject to the relevant arrangements.

Successful candidates will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

Candidates who narrowly miss the required standard may be considered for appointment at a lower grade.

The recruitment process may also involve basic criminal record checks and baseline personnel security standard checks.

The department states that it may hold a reserve list for up to 12 months.

Application and Further Information

Closing date: 16 October 2026 at 11:55pm

Applications should be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.

Original vacancy: Civil Service Jobs – Smart Data Analyst, reference 482665.

Source: Civil Service Jobs / Department for Business and Trade