Job summary
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As a Data Analyst in HMRC’s Risk and Intelligence Service (RIS), you will play a pivotal role in the UK government’s digital transformation journey. You will harness analytical techniques and technologies to help shape HMRC’s approach to risk and compliance, ensuring the right tax is paid and safeguarding public funds.
You’ll be part of the Government Digital and Data community, a collective of over 28,000 professionals transforming lives through technology. Your work will have real-world impact, enabling data-driven decisions that support citizens and contribute to a fairer and more efficient tax system.
We are looking for someone with a passion for analysis, an understanding of data’s potential, and be able to deliver in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking, expert community and make a lasting difference..
Job description
HMRC's Risk and Intelligence Service (RIS) are looking for people with the experience and skills to join us as a Data Analyst. You can look forward to a training programme tailored to your needs, the support of a mentor and excellent potential for career development. Our collaborative and ambitious environment will enable you to make a real difference in transforming lives through technology. You will be part of a team that uses data to deepen our understanding of how to ensure the right tax is paid, working with some of the most complex and comprehensive data in the country.
About the Risk & Intelligence Service (RIS)
Risk and Intelligence Service (RIS) plays a vital role in HMRC’s compliance and enforcement strategy. We collect, integrate, and analyse one of the most extensive and diverse data landscapes in the world, enabling HMRC to identify and manage risks related to non-compliance across the UK tax system.
As a Data Analyst in RIS, you’ll be part of a team that leverages complex, large-scale data to generate actionable insights. Your work will directly support our mission to ensure the right tax is paid, using cutting-edge analytical approaches to protect public funds and improve outcomes for society.
- RIS Data Analytics Team (DAT): RIS DAT leverages advanced data analysis and data science techniques to support HMRC's strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. They work with complex datasets to uncover insights, streamline processes, and optimise outcomes.
- RIS Compliance Operational Insight & Risking (COIR): COIR focuses on providing analytical products, tools, and services to support HMRC's compliance efforts. They work on various projects to enhance risk identification and management, ensuring effective compliance strategies.
- RIS Preventative Risking: RIS Preventative Risking identifies, prevents, and disrupts fraudulent registrations and repayment claims, ensuring HMRC responds effectively to attacks. Potential non-compliance by legitimate customers is identified, and high-risk repayments are referred to compliance partners for intervention, improving future compliance.
- RIS Offshore: RIS Offshore serves as HMRC's coordination centre for offshore intelligence, data acquisition, risk identification, and case development. They support the No Safe Havens strategy by broadening and increasing the impact on offshore customer groups and behaviours.
- Large Business Data Analytics: The Large Business Data Analytics (LBDA) team provides data analytical services to identify tax risks and support compliance activities across large businesses. They work at national, regional, and local levels to deliver data-driven insights and risk analysis.
Key Responsibilities
As a Data Analyst in RIS, you’ll be part of a team that leverages complex, large-scale data to generate actionable insights. Your work will directly support our mission to ensure the right tax is paid, using cutting-edge analytical approaches to protect public funds and improve outcomes for society.
- Utilise a range of software tools to analyse and interpret data, deriving actionable conclusions and recommendations.
- Explore innovative opportunities by evaluating various options, impacts, risks, and solutions, ensuring transparent problem definitions and promoting the effective use of data and technology.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define and clarify the overall scope and requirements of analytical tasks.
- Identify and share best practices, continuously reviewing business processes to proactively enhance insights and improve the products and services provided.
- Summarise and present data and conclusions in the most appropriate formats for the intended audience, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
Your work will contribute directly to protecting public revenue and ensuring fairness in the tax system, making a meaningful impact on people’s lives across the UK.
Person specification
Data Analysts in the Civil Service are part of the Government Digital and Data (GDAD) profession — a community of experts driving digital transformation across government. The essential and desirable criteria for this role are aligned with the GDAD capability framework, which you can read more about here.
This role offers unparalleled variety and scope, with opportunities to work on meaningful projects, solve complex problems, and apply your expertise to real-world challenges. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across HMRC and other government departments, contributing to a joined-up, data-driven approach to public service delivery.
As part of a supportive and forward-thinking profession, you’ll also benefit from ongoing learning and development, access to professional networks, and opportunities to grow your career in a culture that values innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Essential Criteria
To be considered for this role, your application must demonstrate evidence of all the following essential criteria:
- . Analysis and Synthesis: You can use software to manipulate and analyse data. For instance, you can merge, analyse, and consolidate data using tools like Excel, employing pivot tables, functions, and charts.
- Communication: You can demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills, effectively sharing insights with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Data Quality Assurance, Validation, and Linkage: You can identify effective methods for collecting, collating, and preparing data, and determine whether it is accurate and fit for purpose.
- Logical and Creative Thinking: You can apply both logic and creativity to solve problems.
- Analysis and Synthesis: You have experience with data analysis tools and techniques. You can effectively apply this knowledge to deliver analytical solutions that deliver business benefits. Examples of such tools include SPSS, SAS, SQL, R, and Python
To help you succeed in this role, the following desirable criteria may be considered in the event of a tie between candidates:
- IT and mathematics: You can demonstrate IT or mathematical skills through relevant qualifications or work experience
- Membership of a recognised analytical profession (e.g. GDAD, GES, GSR, GORS) or the Statistical community (e.g. GSS, GSG).
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- You will be asked to undertake a Technical analytical exercise (full details will be provided if you are shortlisted)
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- You will be asked to undertake a Technical analytical exercise (full details will be provided if you are shortlisted)
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £36,320, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,521 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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 27% 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 HMRChear from our insiders or visitThinking of joining the Civil Service.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form.
We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you.
If you do make a mistake, please contact us via: ubsrecruitmentexcellence@hmrc.gov.uk – 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.
1. Application stage
Once you have completed the short application form (basic information only, not assessed) you will need to pass 1 online test:
• Civil Service Numerical Test
Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the test is 23:55 on 4 August 2025.
If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test.
The test is administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
If you meet the minimum pass marks for the online test, you will be invited to provide a:
A name-blind CV outlining your employment history, qualifications, and experience.
• We recommend including your employment history for at least the last 3 years, along with any other roles or experience relevant to this position.
• Please clearly state your job titles, time periods (including start and end dates), and provide a 100-word summary of responsibilities and achievements for each role. This will help us assess the depth and duration of your experience.
• Your CV must not exceed 500 words. Although the box has no word count restriction. Anything over the max word count will not be reviewed and may result in information you believe is relevant not being considered.
A 750-word personal statement that includes specific examples and outcomes, demonstrating how your experience meets the essential criteria and aligns with the key responsibilities.
• We recommend using the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) method to help structure your examples clearly and effectively.
• Your personal statement must not exceed 750 words. Anything over the max word count will not be reviewed and may result in information you believe is relevant not being considered.
If you meet any of the desirable criteria, please provide the following information:
• A summary (250 words or fewer) describing the data analysis tools and techniques you have used to deliver business benefits.
• Details of any IT or mathematical qualifications or relevant work experience.
• The name(s) of any analytical or statistical professions you are a member of.
2. Sift
The sift will be carried out against the CV and Personal Statement, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
3. Interview
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview. This will be via Microsoft Teams with typically 3 people and will last up to 60 minutes, consisting of:
• Experience and Strength questions
• A Technical analytical exercise (full details will be provided if you are shortlisted)
See the Success Profiles framework for how we assess Experience, Strengths and Technical.
Vacancy timeline
• Complete online test and submit application by: 23:55 on Monday 4 August 2025
These dates are indicative only and subject to change:
• Sift will take place during the weeks commencing 4 August and 11 August 2025.
• Interviews will take place between the weeks commencing 1 and 8 September 2025.
• Start date although every candidate is different, it’s helpful to have an idea of when you might start in the role. For planning purposes only, we anticipate successful candidates starting in post between mid-October 2025 and mid-February 2026.
We may increase the required score at any stage to manage numbers.
See the Success Profiles framework for how we assess Experience, Strengths and Technical.
Webinars
We’ll be hosting a series of 30-minute webinars to give you an insight into the Senior Data Analyst role and the different teams you could join within HMRC. Join us on one of the following dates:
- Tuesday 22July 2025, 11:00AM
- Wednesday 30 July 2025, 6:00PM
Please register your interest in either session above by e-mailing the RIS Recruitment Service at risrecruitmentservice@hmrc.gov.uk with the subject line “418350 Data Analyst Webinar – POD 4” and letting us know which session you wish to attend.
- We reserve the right to raise the score required at any stage of the process in order to manage numbers.
Eligibility
To check that you are eligible to apply, review this eligibility information
This role is not eligible for sponsorship.
Probation
If you join us as a new employee and have not worked in HMRC or the Civil Service, you are required to complete a 6-month probationary period. If you’ve worked in another part of government or another Government agency, where a probation period has already been successfully completed as a Civil Servant, or you have already completed your probation in HMRC, you might not need to undertake a probationary period, or it might be shorter than 6 months. Usually, where continuity of service is preserved or where you have other eligible periods of service, then any previous period of successfully completed probation will count towards the current period of probation.
Data Analyst Training Programme
A condition of employment is the completion of the Data Analyst Training Programme (DATP). You will need to meet the required standards (of the DATP) to remain on the programme and to be successful in moving from training to the Data Analyst role.
To help you achieve this, your journey through the DATP will be continually evaluated, by modular and work-based assessments, against the Profession framework. You will be supported not only by your manager, but also by our dedicated learning team and business-based coaches and mentors known as Practical Training Officers (PTOs). We also encourage participants to self-assess performance during the DATP and seek support where needed.
The DATP includes several multi-day courses. These courses take place in two specialist training suites, so you may be required to travel to our locations in Newcastle or Liverpool and stay for up to 4 days. HMRC will pay all travel and subsistence expenses.
Interviews will take place via video link.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
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.
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and appointments will be made in strict merit order until the set demand is filled in each location. If successful, you will be informed which locations are available when we reach your position on the merit list.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the UBS Recruitment Excellence Team via ubsrecruitmentexcellence@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Diversity and Inclusion
At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues and creating an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success, and we welcome applications from all people, from all backgrounds, with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. We’re committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues here at HMRC and want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential.
Click here for more information on how we make this happen
Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers
Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.
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.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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 :
- RIS Recruitment Services SRT
- Email :
- risrecruitmentservice@hmrc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :
- risrecruitmentservice@hmrc.gov.uk
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 ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. 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.
Attachments
Combined T&C and OGD Pay English v 6 (26-07-22) (1)
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(docx, 116kB)
