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About government functions and professions

About the Analysis Function

The Analysis Function (AF) is a community of over 17,000 analysts across professions including actuaries, digital specialists, data scientists, economists, geographers, operational researchers, social researchers, statisticians, dual-badged analysts, unaffiliated analysts, and more. Whatever your profession, if you work with analysis in government, you are considered a valued member of the Analysis Function.

This cross-cutting network is key to the Analysis Function; it enables analysts to transcend departmental boundaries and feel part of a larger, purpose-driven movement.  Unlike profession-specific offers, the AF’s learning provision is designed to be inclusive of all analytical disciplines, promoting shared standards and cross-pollination of expertise. This collective identity – rooted in shared purpose and public service – is a powerful and unique cultural asset that our community shares together.

Read on to find out more about government functions and government professions, and the difference between them.

“In fiscal year 2021/22, UK government functional teams delivered £4.4 billion in financial savings, consisting of £3.4 billion in cash-releasing savings and £1 billion in non-cash-releasing savings. These savings were achieved through various functional teams, with the Counter Fraud and Debt Management functions contributing the most, according to the National Audit Office” – Report: Cabinet Office Functional Savings, Oct 2023

There are several cross-government functions, including Internal Audit, Finance, HR, and of course, the Analysis Function. The Analysis Function brings together all members of the analysis professions as one community.   Government functions are designed to develop skills, increase engagement, and make financial savings by creating cross-cutting expertise and providing support to all members, no matter where they work.

Read more about government functions on GOV.UK.

Professions work across government on behalf of departments, agencies and functions to develop specialist skills and knowledge in people, set standards and define career pathways. This includes developing members of a profession to progress from entry into the profession to specialist roles within a particular discipline

Read more about government professions on GOV.UK

There are several professions within the Analysis Function, generally known as the ‘analysis professions’ or ‘analytical professions’.  Members of the Analysis Function are often members of one (or more) of these analysis professions.

The ‘analysis professions’ or ‘analytical professions’ that are aligned with the Analysis Function are:

  • Actuaries: Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) involves using mathematical and statistical skills to assess and manage financial risks, primarily in the insurance and finance industries
  • Digital and Data specialists: a community of experts leading digital transformation in government, creating more efficient services that have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
  • Economists: Government Economic Service (GES) is the professional body for economists within the Civil Service, supporting their work and promoting the use of sound economic analysis in policymaking.
  • Geographers: Government Geography Profession (GGP) is the profession which supports geographical expertise across the civil service.
  • Operational Researchers: Government Operational Research Service (GORS) focuses on applying advanced analytical methods to improve government policy and operations
  • Social Researchers: Government Social Research (GSR) profession supports the development, implementation, review and evaluation of government policy
  • Statisticians: Government Statistical Service (GSS) employs statisticians and data scientists to collect, analyse, and publish official statistics that inform government, business, and the public

So, whether you are an actuary, digital or data analyst, economist, geographer, operational researcher, social researcher, statistician, or are dual-badged, you are also considered to be a valued member of the cross-government and cross-profession Analysis Function.

Get a deeper understanding of the analysis professions’ strategies:

Whilst not an analysis profession, the work of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) is also important to all analysts:

  • UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) strategy: An important strategy for AF members to know about, ‘Statistics for the Public Good’ outlines the vision for high-quality statistics and data to inform the UK, improve lives, and build for the future

The Analysis Function plays a key role across government. We receive, analyse, and interpret data, which influences policy formation, which then has an impact on the operational delivery of public services which affect us all.

There are also other ‘non-analytical’ professions working across government that analysts work closely with. In the Analysis Function we also seek to develop the analysis skills and understanding of our work amongst these other professions.

  • Operational Delivery Profession (ODP): the public face of the civil service, responsible for the services that people use every day
  • Policy Profession: is the management of the government’s role in improving and maintaining the welfare, security and prosperity of the nation.
  • Functional professions are grouped aligning across government to manage functional work.
  • Specialist professions such as Intelligence Analysis and Science and Engineering

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