Deputy Director, Analysis and Insights

This varied and influential role heads up the Analysis and Insights Division (AID) in the central analytical team, reporting to the Director of Analysis (who is also the Chief Analyst and Chief Economist).

If the successful applicant is an economist, they will also become Defra’s deputy Chief Economist.

This is a pivotal analytical leadership role for the department. You will be an outstanding and authentic analytical leader, capable of setting vision and direction whilst responding effectively to changing priorities, and motivating a high-performing, multidisciplinary team to have real impact on the delivery of Defra’s objectives.

You will lead on cross-cutting strategic analysis to support ministerial priorities and provide exceptional analytical capability to add value to embedded analytical teams.

You will identify and prioritise across departmental objectives, overseeing both short-term responsive work at pace, and longer-term development of the evidence base on priority issues.

You will develop and maintain excellent relationships with other government departments, as well as policy and analytical teams throughout Defra.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and motivating the multidisciplinary team to have real impact on Defra outcomes, whilst working in an agile way as priorities change, and maintaining and furthering professional capability. The team encompasses the centres of excellence for operational research, economic appraisal, and social research, including evaluation and behavioural insights.
• Identifying, scoping and leading a portfolio of cross-cutting strategic analysis in response to priorities across the breadth of Defra’s objectives, balancing short-term urgent needs with longer-term evidence development. Recent examples have included Defra’s contribution to the economic growth mission, supply chain resilience, the use of Artificial Intelligence in Defra sectors, the impact of inflation, and supporting Defra’s return to the Spending Review process.
• Establishing a reputation as a visible and credible analytical leader, acting as a critical friend and representing the analytical perspective even when this means delivering a message that may not always be welcome, both internally in programme boards and formal committees, and externally as required.
• Providing oversight to the clearance of impact assessments and business cases across the Department, developing the culture of data and analysis-led policy-making, and supporting other analytical teams to develop their expertise to further Defra’s reputation as a robust and evidence-driven department.
• Overseeing the division’s research budget, including identifying research priorities, ensuring research projects deliver value-for-money, and demonstrating strong financial discipline.
• Being an active part of the Central Analysis and Insights Directorate’s senior leadership team, ensuring the wellbeing, development and performance of the whole directorate. You will deputise for the Director and alternate for other Deputy Directors as required.

If the successful applicant is an economist, they will also become the deputy Chief Economist for Defra, supporting the Chief Economist to drive economic excellence across the Department, and working alongside the deputy Head of Profession to support the economics community.