Role profiles and career paths

Use the contents to navigate through the role profiles and career paths and find out more about:

• the role summary
• typical role responsibilities
• important skills
• sample career path

These are general principles and can be tailored to suit.

Data Analyst

Role summary

Data Analysts collect, organise and study data to provide business insight. Working across a broad range of areas, data analysts understand, manipulate and accurately analyse data, providing insight, briefing internal and external audiences in ways that make the complex easy to understand, particularly for
non-specialist audiences.

Typical role responsibilities

• managing, cleaning, abstracting and aggregating data alongside a range of analytical studies on that data
• identifying, collecting and migrating data to/from a range of systems
• manipulating and linking different data sets as required
• assisting with data quality checking and cleaning
• applying tools and techniques for data analysis, data visualisation (including use of BI tools), presents data and conclusions logically and concisely in the most appropriate format and in adherence to overarching Analysis Function standards
• summarising and presenting the results of data analysis to a range of customers, making recommendations
• interpreting and applying relevant data information security standards, policies and procedures to data
• performing routine statistical analysis and ad-hoc queries which may include the production of reports
• using a range of analytical techniques such as data mining, time series, forecasting and modelling techniques to identify and predict trends in data
• working with data architecture
  • utilising coding and programming skills for data and analytics

Main skills

Logical and creative thinking skills – Can approach a problem applying logic and creativity.

Analytical and problem-solving skills – The ability to apply analytical techniques to present a solution.

Good IT and mathematical skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working – Proven IT and mathematical skills demonstrated through relevant qualifications or work experience.

Data Management – Understanding data sources, data organisation and storage.

Quality Assurance, Validation and Data Linkage – The ability to conduct out data quality assurance, validation and linkage.

The ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations – Able to interpret requirements and present data in a clear and compelling way, using graphical representations and data visualisations.

Data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment techniques – Understands conceptual, logical and physical data modelling, developing knowledge of data cleansing and standardisation.

Statistical Methods and Data Analysis – Knowledge of statistical methodologies and data analysis techniques.

Communicate insight – Strong verbal and written communication skills, sharing insights with stakeholders.

Project Management – Working with stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver findings. Senior or Lead Data Analysts may oversee projects within a data analytics team.

Skill level definitions

Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

Civil Service behaviours – accessible Word version

Additional Learning

Role levels

Listed against each main skill are the skill levels needed at that grade level.

Associate data analyst

Indicative grade – Level 1 AA or AO in the Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

Awareness level

• logical and creative thinking skills
• analytical and problem-solving skills
• good IT and mathematical skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working
• data management
• quality assurance, validation and data linkage
• the ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations
• data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment techniques
• statistical methods and data analysis
• communicate insight
• project management

Data Analyst

Indicative grade – Level 2 EO in the Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

Awareness level

Working level

• Logical and creative thinking skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good IT and mathematical skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working
• Data Management
• Quality Assurance, Validation and Data Linkage
• The ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations
• Data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment techniques
• Statistical Methods and Data Analysis
• Communicate insight

Senior Data Analyst

Indicative grade – Level 3 HEO or SEO in the Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

Practitioner level

• Logical and creative thinking skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good IT and mathematical skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working
• Data Management
• Data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment techniques
• Statistical Methods and Data Analysis
• Communicate insight
• Project Management

Expert level

• Quality Assurance, Validation and Data Linkage
• The ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations

Principal Data Analyst

Indicative grade – Level 4 G7 or G6 in the Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

Practitioner

• Statistical Methods and Data Analysis

Expert

• Logical and creative thinking skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good IT and mathematical skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working
• Data Management
• Quality Assurance, Validation and Data Linkage
• The ability to produce clear graphical representations and data visualisations
• Data modelling, data cleansing, and data enrichment techniques
• Communicate insight
• Project Management

Sample career path

The Data Analyst career path outlines some of the common entry and exit points in the role and illustrates the typical skill levels.

Entry and exit points can include roles from other analytical and digital professions or non-analytical or non-digital professions.

Entry and exit points:

The main career path is usually advancing through the grade levels listed (Associate to leadership). However, profession agnostic and technical specialist roles (this could be a badged or professional role – subject to entry requirements and development) are possible entry and exit points into the various role levels.

• Associate Data Analyst – developing baseline analytical skills from work experience or qualifications
• Data Analyst
• Senior Data Analyst
• Principal or Lead Data Analyst
• Leadership roles – broader analytical understanding – leading multi-disciplinary teams, leadership skills

Data Collator

Role Summary

Data Collators collect and collate information. Undertaking data cleaning, quality assuring forms of data from a variety of sources (primary, survey, admin, open). Sharing analysis and key findings, often working in data collection or multi-disciplinary teams.

Typical role responsibilities

• Collect and gather information from a wide range of sources and systems
• Collate information to ensure easy retrieval and access for analysts within their team
• Quality assure and clean data to ensure it is “analysis” ready
• Read, understand and interpret reports and information
• Highlight and distribute relevant information to team members to ensure they remain informed of the latest developments in their area of interest
• Conduct analysis of data using tools and systems as required

Main skills

Data collection – Understanding of data collection methods and their application.

Data collation – Able to assimilate information from a range of diverse sources.

Data cleansing – Knowledge of data cleansing and standardisation.

Data management – Understanding data sources, data organisation and storage.

Software tools and techniques – Utilising coding and programming skills for data and analytics.

Data analysis – Able to identify key issues from data/information received, presenting and sharing as relevant.

Communicate insight – Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Skill level definitions)

Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

Civil Service behaviours – accessible Word version

Additional Learning

Role levels

Listed against each main skill are the skill levels needed at that grade level.

Associate data collator

Indicative grade – Level 1 AA or AO in the Civil Service behaviours – PDF version

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