Senior Data & Trials Analyst - Behavioural Insights

About The Job

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

Join HMRC's Customer Understanding & Behaviour (CUB) team, a 50+ strong multidisciplinary unit driving strategy for a digitally advanced tax administration.

In this permanent role, you will apply behavioural insights and data-driven evidence to enhance tax compliance, financial decision-making, and customer experience.

Job Description

Lead and evaluate high-impact behavioural insight projects as a Senior Data & Trials Analyst. You will act as an internal consultant, designing field trials, analysing quantitative data, and influencing stakeholders across policy, compliance, and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design & Evaluate: Develop field trials, survey experiments, quasi-experimental approaches and evaluation frameworks.
• Analyse Data: Apply statistical methodologies to analyse experimental data.
• Drive Interventions: Lead project scoping, problem-solving, and behavioural diagnosis.
• Consult & Influence: Build strong stakeholder relationships and communicate complex findings clearly.
• Collaborate Flexibly: Work across CUB and CXD teams to deliver shared priorities.
  
  

Further Information

Customer Experience Directorate - We-re building something exciting at HMRC - our new Customer Experience Directorate -CXD- brings together talented individuals from across the organisation with one shared mission- to improve the experience for all our customers.

We are here to design and deliver simpler- smarter- and more supportive services that meet the diverse needs of individuals- businesses- and intermediaries across the UK. We want every customer to feel a real and positive difference in their interactions with HMRC.

To achieve this we are committed to:-

• Driving innovation and change - empowered by a strong mandate from HMRC leadership- we-re not afraid to be bold and assertive in our approach.

Creating clarity and alignment - through a clear and accessible business plan- we will set out our vision and measurable objectives.

Empowering our people - we will regularly involve our teams in planning and decision-making- ensuring everyone has a voice.

Building a highly engaged culture - where collaboration- purpose- and passion for customer service thrive.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of customer experience at HMRC we would love to hear from you.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities Include

• Designing and leading evaluations of behavioural interventions in a timely and organised manner.
• Running behavioural field evaluations, such as randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
• Support the appropriate use of statistics and ensure robust evaluation of behavioural trials (e.g. regression analysis, inferential statistics).
• Data cleaning and analysis of data sets such as trial and survey results and managing information.
• Coding in programmes such as R in line with trial protocols.
• Draw out insights from a range of data and communicate findings and recommendations to a range of stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Managing the work of other team members, providing advice and support to maintain research and analytical excellence.
• Building and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships internally, externally, and sometimes internationally.
• Proactively finding opportunities for behavioural trials and research projects, using your knowledge and influence to bring your ideas to life.
  
  

Essential Criteria

• Strong record of using statistical analysis techniques, including inferential analyses, such as linear and logistic regressions, to interrogate a range of data sources.
• Experience in behavioural insights theory and its application to address real-world problems.

Experience of using a range of quantitative research methods to explore real-world problems and produce robust recommendations.

Experience of designing and running research trials and evaluations.

Ability to interpret and manipulate data and experience using coding programmes, such as R.

Understanding of ethical considerations of conducting human-centred research.

Ability to clearly communicate research evidence, using a range of communication methods to persuade and influence a range of audiences.

Ability to form effective stakeholder relationships and work together with colleagues from a range other disciplines, including senior leaders.

A degree in an analytical discipline (minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree or a post-graduate degree), and/or significant relevant work experience.

Desirable Criteria

We would be interested to learn if any of the following apply to you:-

• Understanding of segmentation, machine learning, or predictive modelling.
• Knowledge about tax administration or financial decision making.
• Experience using digital data tools such as Google Analytics, Splunk.
  
  

Further Location Information

Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a 'Further Location Preferences (optional)' field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.

Office closures

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These Sites Are

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle
• Lynx House, Portsmouth - moving to an alternative office in Portsmouth
  
  

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £13,194 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.
  
  

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How To Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences. Show us how you meet the Job Summary and Job Description.
• A 1000-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should show how you meet the Person Specification and Essential Criteria. Please provide impacts, outcomes and results where applicable to your examples.
  
  

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on your CV.

At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be required to do a 5 minute experience based presentation demonstrating your experience with quantitative methods followed by any presentation-related follow-up questions. The presentation can be on a Behavioural science project or a broader social research project.

You will also be assessed on Behaviour based questions and Experience based questions assessing the analytical and role-relevant skills required for the post.

You will also be assessed on Strength based questions.

This Is Anexample Of a Strengths-based Question

"It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Please note that circumstances may arise that require the planned interview format to change. We will endeavour to provide you with as much notice of any change as possible.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid Working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form . Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: [email protected] - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref]

& vacancy closing date [insert date]'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .

Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ' help ' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Important Information For Existing HMRC Contractual Homeworkers

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) 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.

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).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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 : Elena Achtypi
• Email : [email protected]
• Telephone : 07495 520883
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via [email protected]. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.