Overview of the Role:

Each year we produce around 65 major Value for Money (VFM) reports examining various aspects of government programmes and projects. VFM reports are multi-method reports delivered to demanding timetables. The main role of Analysts in the NAO is to apply strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills to our VfM work and contribute to planning and drafting these reports, working alongside sector or topic specialists and qualified accountants.

The credibility of the NAO depends on the rigour and quality of our analysis. We have expertise in the areas of statistics, economics, financial analysis, modelling, survey design, qualitative analysis and GIS/spatial analysis, and a growing capability in data analytics.

These areas of expertise underpin our Value for Money (VfM) audit and are becoming increasingly important in supporting our Financial Audit work and corporate decision-making. The main purpose of the job is to work with the NAO’s Leadership Team to develop our future requirements for analytical skills as part of our workforce planning, develop this analytical capability, and work with Leadership Team and Director colleagues to ensure our analytical capability is used as effectively as possible to deliver against our current and future organisational priorities.

As Chief Analyst, you will support our success by ensuring that we have the analytical capability for our current and future needs.  In addition, you will help ensure that we maximise the influence of our work with our clients and key stakeholders.

You will also have two further key roles:

• Act as head of profession for the NAO’s 70-80 Analysts and Senior Analysts who work alongside our qualified accountants to form our VfM audit capability.
• Act as the lead Director for specific VfM reports and other audit outputs in areas where the post-holder’s expertise and experience can add particular value.

This role will be based at our London Office, but the Chief Analyst will be expected to engage with colleagues across the whole NAO including our Newcastle and London based colleagues.

For further information about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the attached job description.