Analysis Function Volunteering Opportunities
This page outlines opportunities for you to support the work of the Analysis Function.
Applications to support Analysis Function (AF) volunteering opportunities are open until 5pm on Friday 12 June 2026 – please complete the Microsoft Form to express your interest. Please contact analysis.function@ons.gov.uk if you would like any further information on these opportunities. If you’re curious but unsure, submit an EOI anyway – we can have a short chat to confirm fit. These opportunities are most suitable for those at HEO or SEO grade, but EOIs are also welcomed from those in other grades if you have suitable experience.
Purpose
The SWDP is an essential source of data, which is used to help understand the membership of the Analysis Function and to support the Analysis Function capability offer. The product pulls together data from a range of data sources into an authoritative report on membership of the analysis function.
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for working with the analytical professions to get the required data from them on their staffing numbers, alongside Annual Civil Service Employment Survey and People Survey data. This data will then need to be pulled together into the report, ensuring that the data and caveats are clearly explained. You will need to consider what changes are needed to the report to meet user’s needs.
What we’re looking for
You should have: a willingness to commit to the work for the 2026/27 report. You will need to be familiar with R to pull together the report, but you don’t need to be an expert, as the existing code already exists. You will also have an interest in, experience of, or desire to develop good stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
What you will get
This is an excellent development opportunity as the individual will need to work with the AF People Board and Departmental Directors of Analysis (DDAN) network to understand where and how improvements can be made to the reports, to meet user’s needs.
Time commitment
The time commitment will vary throughout the year but will take around six weeks a year, with the busiest time between January and May. It may be possible to split the role between individuals. You will be supported in this work by Philippa Robinson (Head of the AF Central Team), who will provide feedback on plans through regular catch ups.
Purpose
The Online Skills Tool is an essential tool for analysts across government, giving users the opportunity to self-reflect against the professional skills needed for various analytical career paths and to support career and development planning. An in-house tool has recently been developed replacing the previous online account.
Responsibilities
You will maintain the tool, ensuring it reflects up-date learning and development opportunities, changes in role profiles and that it meets user’s needs. Please note, you will not be expected to rebuild the tool, but rather maintain content and coordinate updates.
What we’re looking for
You should have experience in or an interest in developing skills in R. You should have an interest in developing capability expertise, stakeholder engagement and working across departmental boundaries. You should be able to commit to the work for the next year.
What you will get
This will provide a valuable opportunity for anyone who wants to improve their R skills and to gain a better understanding of L&D opportunities across the function.
Time commitment
Around four weeks spread throughout the year. You will be supported in this work by Philippa Robinson (Head of the AF Central Team), who will provide feedback on plans through regular catch ups.
Purpose
The Analysis Function Champions support Departmental Directors of Analysis Network (DDANs) in championing the Analysis Function in their departments and act as a vital two-way link between the AF Central Team and their own organisations. This role will support the effective running of the Analysis Function Champions network.
Responsibilities
The role will involve organising and supporting the bi-monthly AF Champion Network meetings, including setting agendas, commissioning papers and contributions, producing and circulating minutes and tracking actions (templates already exist). Responsibilities will also include maintaining membership and distribution lists, supporting follow-up activity between meetings, and helping to shape the forward plan for the network – by identifying priority themes, issues raised by departments, and opportunities for collaboration or knowledge sharing. The volunteer will work closely with the AF Central Team and AF Champions to ensure meetings add value and reflect strategic priorities.
What we’re looking for
A volunteer with strong organisational and communication skills, who is interested in leadership networks, stakeholder engagement and working across departmental boundaries and who can sign up to the time commitment for at least six months. You should be comfortable coordinating contributions from a range of stakeholders, producing clear written outputs, and keeping track of actions and deadlines.
What you will get
This is a valuable development opportunity for someone looking to build experience in secretariat support, network facilitation and operating at cross government level.
Time commitment
Around six weeks a year spread evenly throughout the year. You will be supported in this work by Alison Adams (AF Strategy lead), who will provide feedback on plans through regular catch ups.
Purpose
Departmental Directors of Analysis (DDAN) quarterly reports act as a key evidence source and an ongoing feedback mechanism for evaluation. The quarterly reports provide the ongoing, operational insight that forms a coherent performance and learning system that supports evidence led decision making and continuous improvement across the Analysis Function.
Responsibilities
This role will involve managing the end-to-end quarterly reporting cycle for DDANS, including issuing guidance and timelines, responding to queries, collating returns and carrying out light touch sense checks for clarity, consistency and completeness. The volunteer will produce a concise synthesis of quarterly activity (around 10 slides), highlighting key messages, risks and good practice for circulation to the AF Central Team and DDANs. The role will involve working closely with the Head of the Analysis Function and Workstream leads to identify priority information needs and help improve the usefulness and accessibility of the reports over time.
What we’re looking for
A volunteer with an interest in performance reporting, governance and organisational insight, who is comfortable working with qualitative and quantitative information. You should have strong written communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to synthesise information from multiple sources into clear, audience-focused reports.
What you will get
This is a valuable development opportunity for someone looking to build experience in performance reporting, stakeholder engagement, and working at a cross government level across the Analysis Function.
Time commitment
Around four weeks a year – linked to the reporting cycle. We would expect the individual to be able to commit to at least two quarters of reporting. You will be supported in this work by Alison Adams (AF Strategy lead), who will provide feedback on plans through regular catch ups.
Purpose
Evaluating the Analysis in Government Strategy 2025-28 is essential to demonstrating whether the strategy is delivering meaningful impact and achieving the intended outcomes. Effective evaluation helps ensure the strategy remains relevant, effective and evidence led, rather than focused solely on activity. This role will design and deliver a proportionate evaluation of the strategy, assessing progress, outcomes and areas for improvement, and providing clear, actionable insight to inform future priorities and decision making.
Responsibilities
This role will involve developing an evaluation approach and framework aligned to the objectives in the strategy, identifying appropriate data sources and methods (qualitative and or quantitative), and engaging with key stakeholders across the Analysis Function. The volunteer will lead the delivery of the evaluation, including data collection, analysis and synthesis of findings, and will produce a concise evaluation report with clear conclusions and practical recommendations. Outputs include an evaluation plan, final report and short slide deck. The role may also include presenting findings to senior stakeholders and the AF Central Team.
What we’re looking for
A volunteer with an interest in evaluation, impact assessment or performance measurement, ideally with experience of analytical methods, strategy delivery or working across organisation boundaries. You should be comfortable with engaging with stakeholders, translating evidence into clear, actionable insight.
What you will get
This is a strong development opportunity for someone looking to build experience in evaluation, strategy and working across the Analysis Function.
Time commitment
Between six and eight weeks flexible, with timings to be agreed. You will be supported in this work by Alison Adams (AF Strategy lead), who will provide feedback on plans through regular catch ups.