Data Analyst

Who we're looking for

We are looking for someone who can turn complex data into clear, actionable insight to support Estyn’s work as an evidence-informed regulator. Working closely with our statisticians and researchers, you will manage, analyse, and visualise data from multiple sources to ensure Estyn’s evidence base is accurate, accessible, and robust. You will help develop dashboards, analytical tools, and data workflows that inform inspection, evaluation, and decision-making, and play a key role in strengthening Estyn’s analytical capability and promoting a consistent, data-driven approach across the organisation. If you’re motivated by public service and interested in strengthening a proactive, intelligence led approach to using data across Estyn, we’d be pleased to hear from you.

By joining us, you’ll become part of a forward-thinking and evolving organisation, one that’s committed to learning, improvement, and the development of its people. You’ll also gain access to opportunities across the wider Civil Service, giving you room to grow and shape your career.

You will be responsible for managing, analysing and visualising data across Estyn, producing clear, actionable insights that support inspection, evaluation and a proactive, intelligence-led approach to decision-making.

Key tasks include:

• Source, clean, and integrate data from multiple systems - including inspection evidence, learner outcomes, deprivation indices, and provider-level metrics.
• Identify, monitor, and address data inconsistencies or corruption issues.
• Devise and implement methods of ensuring data is refreshed at appropriate times ensuring change control protocols are adhered to.
• Maintain metadata, data dictionaries, and documentation to support transparency and version control.
• Ensure data management processes comply with GDPR, information governance, and Estyn’s data policies.

Working under the direction of the statisticians, you will:

• Conduct descriptive, diagnostic, and exploratory analyses to identify trends and risks across education sectors.
• Produce pre-inspection data packs and analytical briefings highlighting contextual factors and emerging issues.
• Create interactive dashboards and reports (e.g., Power BI) to support inspectors, researchers, and senior leaders.
• Develop performance indicators to track Estyn’s corporate and strategic impact.
• Develop and maintain reproducible data workflows and automated reports.
• Support the design and implementation of shared analytical tools and platforms (e.g., Power BI workspaces, data warehouse).
• Contribute to the creation of a “single source of truth” for inspection and performance data.
• Work closely with statisticians to verify the quality and comparability of datasets.
• Collaborate with researchers to supply quantitative evidence and help contextualise findings.
• Translate analytical results into clear visuals and summaries accessible to non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to Estyn’s analytical community by sharing knowledge, tools, and good practice.
• Work with partner organisations to maintain consistency of definitions and alignment of datasets across the education system.

Person specification

It’s essential that you have:

• Proven experience in data analysis, data management, or statistical work.
• Strong technical skills in data manipulation and visualisation, e.g. Excel, SQL, Power BI.
• Excellent analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to present technical information clearly.
• A degree or equivalent level qualification in a numerate, analytical, or technical subject or equivalent professional experience demonstrating robust analytical capability.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Understanding of confidentiality, ethics, and data protection requirements.

It is desirable that you have:

• Experience working with education datasets.
• Experience with reproducible analytical pipelines or code repositories (e.g., GitHub, SharePoint).
• Ability to work through the medium of Welsh.

Key behaviours

The key behaviours for this role are:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits of Joining Estyn

In addition to a good work/life balance, job satisfaction, a supporting culture, ongoing learning and development opportunities and professional development, you can also expect other benefits, including the following:

· Competitive salary and incremental points meaning that you will normally reach the maximum of the pay scale within two/three years of joining us.

· Generous holiday entitlement – 41 days away from work each year (made up of 31 days of annual leave, plus 10 public/privilege holidays (pro-rated for those who work part-time).

· Flexible working - We operate a flexi-time system, giving you the freedom to shape your working day in a way that suits you and meets business needs.

· Excellent pension - When you join Estyn, you’ll automatically become part of the Civil Service Pension scheme, one of the most valuable pension schemes in the UK. We invest in your future by contributing 28.97% of your salary which equates to £10,756, helping you build a strong and secure pension for later in life.

· Support for your wellbeing – We provide an hour of wellbeing time per week (pro-rated) for staff. We also provide an employee assistance programme, free annual health checks, seasonal flu jabs, a free eye care scheme and access to Health Insurance Plans through Civil Service Healthcare.

· Support for your family life – generous family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption leave.

· Tax-free savings – Access to a cycle to work scheme.

· Special offers and discounts – Access to a range of discounts and exclusive offers through the Civil Service Social Club – Sports and Leisure, the Civil Service Motoring Association, the Civil Service Insurance Society and the Charity for Civil Servants.

How to apply

Enquiries: If you have any questions about the role, please contact Rhidian Dafyddon rhidian.dafydd@estyn.gov.uk.

Apply online:

PLEAES NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT CV'S - TO APPLY PLEASE COMPLETE THE ESTYN APPLICATION FORM FOLLOWING THE LINK BELOW. CV'S WILL BE REJECTED.

To apply for the role please visit - JobBoard www.estynpeoplehr.cymru/jobsboard

Closing date: 10am on 3 February 2026

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £37,129.00-£45,399.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cardiff CF24 5JW