Data Analyst (IPS Grow)

We are looking for a Data Analyst to report into the Data Manager for IPS Grow. One of IPS Grow’s key responsibilities is enabling the collection and analysis of consistent data from providers to provide a holistic picture of how the IPS model is performing and support evidence-based strategic decision-making at local, regional and national levels. This includes managing the IPS Grow Reporting Tool – the national performance management tool for mental health and drug & alcohol teams in the country.

IPS Grow is a national programme designed to support the expansion of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services in mental health, primary care, and drug and alcohol teams across England. The programme is led by Social Finance in partnership with the Centre for Mental Health. It is funded by NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). A core element of the programme is the expert assistance provided by a team of IPS experts, known as IPS Grow Leads, to support providers to improve their fidelity to the IPS model and achieve better employment outcomes for their clients.

As a Data Analyst, you will be pivotal in running the IPS Grow Reporting Tool and helping define, build, streamline and distribute reports and dashboards, combining different sets of data from different systems and tools to show the full end to end picture of the IPS world.

Whilst IPS Grow operates distinctly from Social Finance, the Data function has solid links with, and your work will be supported by, peers and managers in the Social Finance Data and Digital Team.

Responsibilities

• Report development: Designing, developing, and maintaining interactive and insightful Power BI reports tailored to meet the specific needs of a diverse range of health and government stakeholders, such as NHSE, DWP and OHID.

• Data integration: Collaborating with client and specialist teams in Social Finance to gather, transform, and integrate data from various sources, including planning systems and engineering data sources.

• Performance optimisation: Supporting the Data Manager and the Technical Team with identifying and implementing improvements to ensure that the user experience is positive and that client requirements are met and exceeded where possible.

• Creating visualisations: Leveraging Power BI capabilities to create visuals and incorporate analytics to provide deeper insights.

• Information governance: Establishing and enforcing information governance policies, including data validation, security and access controls to maintain data integrity and confidentiality.

• User training and support: Providing training and support to end-users, enabling them to effectively use Airtable and Power BI for data exploration and reporting.

About You

It is important you have a mix of the skills and experiences below and, most importantly, will be excited about the opportunity to learn and support.

Essential skills and behavioural competencies

• Motivation to work on health and employment outcomes: Passion for improving health, wellbeing and opportunities for people and communities.

• Airtable and Power BI experience: Proven experience in using Airtable and Power BI to develop dashboards and reports, ideally using health, social care or other public sector data.

• Analytical skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. Data sources are not highly complex but you will have the freedom to advise how more complex techniques could benefit the system and end users.

• Communication across functions: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and interpretation of stakeholder requirements. Ability to translate technical concepts and decisions to non-technical audiences.

• Agile proficiency: An appreciation for Agile ways of working and knowledge of the agile software development lifecycle, including gathering and prioritising requirements and providing support after technology is launched.

• Accuracy: Strong attention to detail and a track record of accomplishing tasks with thoroughness, accuracy and reliability.

• Ethics: An interest in bringing ethics to work, thinking about how design decisions exacerbate or counter problems such as structural racism, algorithmic bias, or a tendance towards state surveillance of disadvantaged populations.

• Organisation skills: A high level of organisation and reliability, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and requests, prioritising them effectively and ensuring they are responded to in timely and accurate manner. A high level of trustworthiness, integrity, and empathy.

• Multi-disciplinary, flexible teamwork: Willingness to be flexible, receptive to feedback and continuous improvement while working with a multi-disciplinary team.

• Curiosity about software development: Ability and willingness to learn about software development and tools such as Python, Pandas, Git, CI/CD, PowerQuery, Django. This is not required of the role but you will be working closely with the software development team.

The following is desirable, but not essential:

• Knowledge of PowerQuery / SQL, the ability to query data sets.

• An interest in the IPS practice area and how you can make a difference.

• Able to manage with ambiguity.

• Understanding of information security to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations (e.g., GDPR).

• Experience in Django.

• Knowledge of JavaScript, CSS, AWS, PostgreSQL or Heroku are a plus.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We actively encourage applications from under-represented and minoritised groups, including those with lived experience of the social issues we are working to address. We are an equal opportunities employer and support a range of flexible working options.