Job summary
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) was established in 2023 to help to make local government even better.
According to its most recent remit (which may be revised by the new Government), Oflog will help to drive and support improvement in local government through a combination of:
increasing understanding � among citizens, civil society, central government and local government itself � about what data suggests about the performance of individual local authorities;
helping to identify local authorities that might benefit from extra support; and
providing support to local government � for example by disseminating best practice or by helping local authorities to improve their own digital and data capability.
Oflog is currently an office of MHCLG, meaning all staff are MHCLG civil servants. Oflog is a mixed-discipline team, including policy and local government experts and analysts from a range of disciplines. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the ongoing development of the organisation and its culture.
The Chief Executive of Oflog, Josh Goodman, is very happy to talk to potential candidates about the evolution of the role of Oflog to date and where it might go next.
Job description
Analysis, evidence and data sit at the heart of all of Oflog�s work. Oflog is a new and growing organisation and this role offers a really exciting opportunity to help shape it.
The Chief Analyst leads a team that is currently around 40 staff, encompassing all the analytical and digital professions. We are seeking a jobshare partner ( for Oflog�s current Chief Analyst (also You will need to be based at one of the following locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Darlington, Leeds, Manchester or Wolverhampton
Potential projects led by the Chief Analyst�s team include:
Designing and embedding a model for monitoring and assessing risk in the local government sector, to help in targeting Oflog�s improvement activities
Creating new ways to assess local authority performance that rigorously reflect the full range of local government activity, its outcomes and its impact on local citizens
Developing and delivering a new programme of research, data analysis, insights and evaluation to create new evidence about local government performance and good practice
Improving and maintaining Oflog�s growing suite of data tools and products to present meaningful information about local authorities and position Oflog at the leading edge of making data accessible and compelling
The Chief Analyst will show thought-leadership and will ensure the integrity of Oflog�s analytical work; provide Oflog with an authoritative voice in conversations with a wide range of stakeholders; and, as a core member of Oflog�s small Executive Team, will help shape the overall development of Oflog as a new, evidence-driven organisation.
We are specifically looking for an economist, to complement the skills of the current Chief Analyst, in particular to lead and develop our work on efficiency, performance and value for money analysis.
Key Accountabilities
Ensure that Oflog�s work is underpinned by analysis which meets the highest standards of quality and integrity
Act as an authoritative ambassador for Oflog�s analytical and digital work � ensuring that Oflog is plugged into relevant discussions across local government, central government, statistical authorities, the private sector, think tanks and academia
Develop the vision and priorities for Oflog�s analytical, data and digital work programme, and agree them with Oflog�s wider Executive Team
Provide confident, inspiring and effective leadership and management of Oflog�s analytical, digital and data staff � including driving innovation and improvement, and ensuring tight project management
Develop and maintain relationships with senior colleagues across central and local government to support delivery of Oflog�s analysis and digital products
Make an active contribution to the analytical community across MHCLG and central government
As a member of Oflog�s small Executive Team, play an active role in leadership and management of the whole organisation, including providing senior analytical input to the overall strategic development of Oflog as a data-driven body
As a member of MHCLG�s Senior Civil Service, make an active corporate contribution to the department.
Person specification
You will have first-class analytical and data skills and a track record of leading teams to deliver excellent analytical products to tight schedules.
You will be a thought leader, able to influence wider intellectual debates well beyond your immediate organisation.
You will be able to oversee tight programme and project management of digital products (even if you are not yourself a digital expert).
You will be able to place Oflog at the leading edge of presenting data in compelling and accessible ways.
You will be an inspiring, confident and empowering leader, and a team player with a wide range of colleagues.
We particularly encourage applications from those of an ethnic minority background and those with disabilities, who are underrepresented at this level in MHCLG.
As one of the Department�s senior leaders, you will also be a visible role model for the Civil Service leadership behaviours. These can be found in the Civil Service Leadership Statement which is available at: ���
Essential Criteria
First-class analytical and data skills � including thought leadership in the use of data and economics to drive performance improvements in public services
A track record of leading teams to deliver high-quality, timely and influential analytical and data products
Ability to lead project and programme management, sufficient to ensure effective delivery of high-quality products
Ability to act as a credible thinker and influencer in discussions with a wider intellectual community
Ability to lead, manage and grow a diverse, multi-profession team to perform well while ensuring well-being, learning and development
Ability to work closely and collaboratively with your job share partner along with policy, analytical and other colleagues to deliver better outcomes
Badged membership of the Government Economic Service, or eligibility and willingness to become a member. Full criteria can be found in the�. Membership requires a minimum honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics.
�Desirable criteria:
Experience of delivering data projects through digital solutions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �75,000, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes �21,727 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. � Learning and development tailored to your role
� An environment with flexible working options
� A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
� A Civil Service pension
