JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Data Analyst
Reporting to:
Analyst Manager
Direct reports:
None
Overall responsibility:
The Data Analyst is responsible for implementing the data collection and reporting required
for our projects. They will be required to set up the questionnaire and analysis requirements
using Askia, Microsoft Office, SPSS and Etabs, as well as in-house software for sample
processing.
Data Analysts need a good understanding of market research so that they can ensure that
surveys are set up according to industry guidelines as well as internal requirements. They
need demonstrate excellent numeracy and logical thinking.
Specifically, this includes:
Being familiar with required company standards and processes with regard to project
management and ensuring they are applied to all projects allocated to you.
Acquainting oneself with their allocated projects. This should involve reading all key
documents such as Brief, Proposal, Outline Document and any previous deliverables.
Responsibility for checking questionnaires from Researchers, suggesting any logic
errors/ambiguities/data structure issues with regard to deliverables before producing the
final version using our data capture software. In addition responsibility for spotting and
correcting errors in the specification.
Processing sample and amend fieldwork/sample management parameters following a period
of ‘trial run’ by field personnel.
Checking live questionnaires. After an preliminary period (in consultation with Researchers
responsible for the project) the datafile should be checked by running a holecount or simple
table set and any implications reported to project colleagues immediately.
Reviewing and ensuring understanding of the analysis specification prior to fieldwork end.
Questions should be asked and recommendations and suggestions made as appropriate to
project colleagues. This Data Analyst will also test the specification on interim data.
On completion of fieldwork, the specification may need to be amended to add code frames
for open-ended questions, net sub-groups etc.
Deliverables may be in a variety of formats – extranet, excel files, e-tabs to PowerPoint etc.
You will need to be familiar with all the options for those projects for which you are
responsible.
The Data Analyst will be expected to be available to conduct or suggest additional analyses,
calling on their statistical skills and research experience, testing hypotheses and producing
new insights. Such work may involve multivariate statistics, or merging survey data files with
other databases.
Being familiar and acting according to the MRS Code of Conduct, Data Protection Act and
any other client obligations with regard to data privacy. No personal data should ever reside
on local PC drives and all non-essential personal information should be stripped from data
files as soon as is practicable. It is imperative that our IT and Data Security Policy is
understood and complied with.
If a problem on a project is apparent, whether concerning timing, data quality or otherwise,
the Data Analyst should ensure that the project team is aware and alert their line manager
with suggested remedial action.
Required skills:
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Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build a rapport with individuals at all
levels and a professional yet personable communication style.
Strong written and oral communications skills.
Self motivated and able to work on own initiative as well as a team player.
Excellent attention to detail and pride in the quality of your work and
outputs/deliverables.
Experience of juggling conflicting priorities and deadlines and responding to
pressure calmly and efficiently.
Good or emerging analytical skills that include analysis design and execution.
Competency in Microsoft Office and high levels of numeracy including some past
exposure to statistics.
An understanding of quantitative market research including the key aspects of a
projects process from questionnaire set-up to deliverables.
Understanding of the MRS Code of Conduct and data privacy responsibilities in
respect of sample/data handling, management and storage.
COMPANY VALUES
We have a set of principles and values which drive our decision making and define the kind
of business we want to be. All employees are expected to act in accordance with these
values and applicants for vacancies should be able to demonstate their capability for all or
some of these.
1. We actively encourage new ideas. We constantly look for better, smarter ways
of doing things, both great and small
We don’t…
Ignore or reject opportunities to work more
efficiently
Rely on computers to do the thinking for us
We do…
Value individuality
Show initiative and challenge our own
comfort zone
Leave things to the last minute
Give people the opportunity to try things
out, and get things wrong, in a supportive
environment
Continue with processes that make us
Value creative approaches and solutions to
inefficient or do not add value
everyday tasks and processes
Sit on our laurels and wait for someone else Experiment with new ideas and learn from
to identify a solution
chance experiences
Put up barriers to getting things done
Encourage the use of technology to
undertake repetitive tasks and processes
Value the training of all employees and
treat it as a priority
2. We exercise our intellectual curiosity by asking questions and challenging
assumptions
We don’t…
Accept what we are told when we believe it
to be incorrect
Defend things just because they’ve always
been done that way
Avoid doing, or confronting, things just
because they are difficult
We do…
Encourage independent thinking
Adopt a proactive approach to problem
solving and improvements
Learn from our mistakes
Personally commit to continuous
improvement and a willingness to learn
Provide constructive feedback
3. We commit to being honest and open in everything we do, in a timely manner
We don’t…
Tolerate dishonesty
Overpromise to colleagues or clients
Avoid confrontation and difficult
conversations
Allow personal relationships to cloud our
judgement
We do…
Behave ethically, protect our reputation
and stay true to our standards
Avoid conflicts of interest both as a
company and as an individual
Speak up if we consider something is wrong
without fear of recrimination
Respect confidences
Appraise people objectively and treat them
fairly
4. Everything we do is based upon our outputs and these are best when based on
shared inputs
We don’t…
Seek personal glory at the expense of
teamwork
Put projects over people
See the world from just our own
perspective
Ignore the efforts of colleagues
We do…
Ask for help when we need it
Share ideas, opportunities and knowledge
Consult and involve others in decisions
Ensure we provide the best match of skills
and personalities to work as account teams
Act as one company
Celebrate success
5. We take care of each other and treat colleagues, clients and suppliers with
fairness and courtesy
We don’t…
Take advantage of the good nature of
colleagues or clients
Undermine, ridicule or criticise others
behind their backs or in public
Support or encourage the abuse of power
or position
Talk down to colleagues, or clients
We do…
Respect each other as individuals
Demonstrate that we trust each other
Try and understand an other’s point of view
Delegate and encourage people to take
responsibility
Tolerate unacceptable or disruptive
Follow agreed procedures or best practice
behaviour
rather than do things our own way
Operate a blame culture
Spontaneously offer to help others when
we are less busy
Moan about something without trying to fix Accept personal accountability for our own
it
actions and results
Abdicate responsibility or pass the buck
Support decisions once they are made
Turn up late or unprepared for meetings or Have a ‘can-do’ attitude
training sessions
Value an appropriate balance between
work and home
Provide working conditions that contribute
to good performance
Acknowledge and praise people’s
achievements
Have due regard for cultural diversity in the
workplace
Arrive to work on time