Data Analyst and Research Assistant

Salary: Band 6, £29,055 – £31,296

Location: Agile, Middle Engine Lane and homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, permanent

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Corporate Development Department as a Data Analyst and Research Assistant.

Are you an experienced data analyst and research assistant looking for your next challenge?

Do you have strong analysis and research skills?

Do you have the ability to translate data into meaningful insight?

Our Corporate Development Department plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the Performance Framework across Northumbria Police. We provide critical performance data and actionable insights to both executive and operational teams, directly supporting the achievement of the Force’s strategic objectives.

This is a dynamic and transformative period for the department, as we lead the development and analysis of business intelligence to drive organisational change and continuous improvement. Our work underpins the Force’s performance management framework, helping to identify and mitigate risks that could impact operational effectiveness.

In the role of Data Analyst and Research Assistant, the postholder will contribute to this mission by delivering high-quality research and analytical support. This includes the development, maintenance, and enhancement of data reporting tools and methodologies, ensuring that decision-makers are equipped with accurate, timely, and relevant information to guide strategic and operational priorities.

What you’ll do

• Provide research and analytical support to the department, in order to facilitate the development, maintenance and delivery of effective and quality data reporting, research and analysis.
• Develop, prepare and maintain databases, survey samples and spreadsheets in order to provide reliable data analysis and information to support Business Intelligence.
• Respond to data requests from external clients including the Home Office, FOI, OPCC and Community Safety Partners in order to comply with legal, statutory, local and national requirements.
• Assist with the interpretation of data, surveys and statistics, using contextual data and coding free-text information to support the development of force performance information.
• Collate management information, reports and statistics ensuring that relevant, timely, complete and accurate information is available to support effective decision making.
• Undertake research, project work, risk assessments and associated administrative duties in order to contribute to the development and improvement of force performance information.
• Support the development and delivery of telephone, online, face-to-face surveys and focus groups to obtain feedback that provides relevant and actionable insights.

What you’ll bring

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in providing specialist professional services concerning statistical analysis and research methods in order to fulfil the Force’s performance management objectives, including:

• Strong Excel/Database skills, with the ability to identify themes, trends and issues.
• Ability to work with multiple internal systems and a variety of data sources.
• Excellent planning skills with the ability to organise multiple work streams.
• Ability to utilise data to problem solve and create opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to present data and insight in a clear and concise manner, both written and verbally.
• Experience of working in a fast paced, performance environment.

We know it’s important for you to feel that you’re not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace where meaningful connection are key. For roles designated as agile or home-based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.

Just so you know

Candidates with priority status will be given precedence for this role over other applicants.

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Data Analyst and Research Assistant with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by an interview. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via [email protected] for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a permanent role subject to a six-month probationary period.

If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.