Graduate Analyst (Technology, Data & Insight) Newcastle 2023

This role is NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Are you ready to launch your analytical career and make a difference in people’s lives?

Every one of us will rely on health and social care at some point in our lives. The Care Quality Commission’s mission is to ensure that care is safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality, but we can’t do this without data on how services are performing and analysts who transform that data into actionable insight.

The Role

Our Technology, Data & Insight Graduate Analyst Scheme welcomes an intake of graduates twice every year. Each cohort enters a programme designed to give them the skills and experiences they need to flourish as an analyst. It is open to graduates from any subject and completion year, making it a fantastic opportunity for those interested in a career in analytics or are looking for a career change.

Apply to join us for your opportunity to work on something that really matters, gain high-demand skills, and launch your analytical career.

Please note that we are recruiting to two cohorts starting in 2023; one cohort of four analysts starting in March 2023, and a further cohort of four analysts starting in September 2023.

What you’ll do

The graduate analyst scheme is a two-year developmental scheme designed to broaden and develop your analytical skills. You will complete four placements rotating around the Data and Insight unit. These will expose you to the key stages of the analytical process and provide you with opportunities to develop the key skills required for success in an analytical role.

You will work collaboratively to make a genuine contribution to the work of the Care Quality Commission, producing impactful insight from data. You’ll do this through a variety of both quantitative and qualitative analysis projects, assigned with your learning needs in-mind. Projects may involve:

• Identifying information requirements and managing qualitative and quantitative data from local and national organisations
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to understand data and insight needs
• Interrogating data using a variety of analytical techniques, summarising key findings from a range of different data sets
• Developing new and impactful ways to visualise data, powering insight
• Developing systems, processes and tools for analysis and interpretation
• Presenting and explaining analysis to a range of internal and external audiences using multiple media and output styles to suit the audience

You’ll also be able to take advantage of ‘mini’ placements, spending some of your time working with teams outside of the Unit, such as those working in Policy or Data Engineering, broadening your skills and knowledge.

You’ll take ownership of your own development, using protected learning and development time to pursue learning needs and explore areas of interest. You’ll be supported in this by your line manager and scheme manager.

Your progress and achievements will be captured in a portfolio of work, which you’ll review on a regular basis to identify areas of development.

*Pending successful completion of the scheme, which you’ll evidence in your portfolio, you’ll be eligible to progress onto a permanent Grade C role.

What you’ll gain

You’ll kickstart your career in data and analytics. Graduates move into Analyst roles on completion of the scheme and often progress quickly to Senior Analyst positions. Many stay within Data and Insight, but some have gone into roles elsewhere in CQC, such as in Operations or Research and Evaluation. Others have continued their analytical careers in the wider Civil Service or NHS and beyond.

With 20% of your time protected for learning and development, you’ll have a unique opportunity to pursue your development in areas of interest to you while making a meaningful contribution the Care Quality Commission.

Throughout your time on the scheme you’ll be supported by a line manager, a dedicated scheme manager and a workplace ‘buddy’. You’ll also gain an instant network of colleagues involved in the graduate programme past and present, and the opportunity to grow a larger network during placement rotations.

The placement rotation will give you the opportunity to gain knowledge, skill and experience in multiple areas of data and analysis, and to identify which area you want to specialise into.

What you’ll need

• A minimum 2:2 degree or equivalent in any subject by the start of employment
• To be able to think analytically, have problem-solving skills, and an attention to detail
• Experience of analysing quantitative and qualitative information
• An understanding of qualitative primary research methods
• To be able to identify trends and patterns in data and explain why these are important
• Proven ability in application of techniques for analysis of data and synthesis of findings
• To be able to communicate using a range of methods and styles, including translating and communicating accurate information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to identify problems and resolve or escalate as appropriate.
• To be able to follow rules, procedures and guidelines as appropriate, and to identify opportunities for improvement
• To be able to work well with others and contribute to a positive working environment

No prior work experience is necessary, but you should have an awareness of the role of CQC, and an interest in health and social care services.

What we can offer you

Your health and wellbeing are important to us and are supported through generous annual leave (starting at 27 days and rising with service to 32.5days, plus 8 Bank Holidays), a cycle to work scheme, discounted gym vouchers and access to a free employee assistance service 24 hours a day.

We also understand the importance of financial health and offer membership of the NHS pension scheme, contributing about 14% of basic salary. You will also be able to access discounts to supermarkets, high street stores, electronics, fleet cars, plus we also have an internal reward scheme which could see you earn yourself a voucher or two! All of our Homeworkers are also kitted out with everything they need to comfortably work from home.

We want to support you to succeed and be your very best, with opportunities for training and development along with the support of experienced managers and mentors.  

We want to make working for CQC a great experience for everyone, and to role model a diverse and representative culture. To support an inclusive environment where colleagues feel empowered to bring their whole self to work, we support a variety of staff networks, including the Race Equality Network, LGBT+ Equality Network, Carers Equality Network, Disability Equality Network and Gender Equality network.

Additional Information

If you want to find out more about the scheme and speak to former graduate analysts about their experiences, we will be holding two drop-in sessions on Teams on the following dates:

• Thursday 10 November: 17:00-17:45
• Wednesday 16 November: 17:30-18:15

If you are interested in attending one of these sessions please send an email to GraduateAnalystScheme@cqc.org.uk and include your preferred date.

Key Dates

• 28/11 – 09/12/2022: Shortlisting. Applications will be shortlisted largely on the strength of your supporting statement; statements which do not demonstrate how you meet the essential skills outlined in the “What you’ll need” section will not be shortlisted.
• w/c 09/01/2023: If you’re successfully shortlisted, you will be invited to an assessment and interview during this week.
• w/c 27/03/2023: Approximate start date (Spring cohort).
• w/c 25/09/2023: Approximate start date (Autumn cohort).

We are committed to being open and transparent around our processes and we endeavour to offer every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. We seek to support candidates to identify potential challenges and work with them to identify and facilitate reasonable adjustments as appropriate.

Should you require assistance and/or would like to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact a member of the team via email: recruitment@cqc.org.uk 

Note for External Candidates

CQC are currently working through an organisational transformation programme which includes the creation of a new target operating model. This role is offered as a fixed term contract as part of the transition process to that new model. 

CQC is committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential. We know diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment and therefore encourage applications from everyone regardless of: age, gender/sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Our Values

• Excellence – Meeting our challenge to be a high-performing organisation
• Caring – Treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Integrity – Demonstrating our passion for ‘doing the right thing’
• Teamwork – Enabling us to be the best we can