Head of Migration Analysis and Data, Migration Advisory Committee
| Posting date: | 30 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £76,117 to £88,261 per year |
| Additional salary information: | National pay locations: Sheffield £76,117 - £83,729 London pay locations: Westminster £80,237 - £88,261 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 May 2026 |
| Location: | Westminster |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 458681/2 |
Summary
The Migration, Borders and International Policy and Programmes Group is responsible for policy, legislation and reform of the immigration systems and acts as a centre for excellence to deliver international interventions and engagement. This work touches many of the most high-profile policy areas for the Home Office, including asylum, migration, nationality, extradition, citizens’ rights, borders and international criminality.
Established in 2007, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, non-statutory, advisory, non-departmental public body that is helped shape both immigration policy and the wider debate in the UK, around economic migration. We do high profile and evidence-based work. Examples of the MAC's work can be found on our website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/migration-advisory-committee
The MAC is made up of leading academics with a background in migration and is chaired by Dr Madeleine Sumption. The Committee are supported by a permanent civil service secretariat of around 30 people, who form a multi-disciplinary team with a mix of analytical and policy backgrounds. The secretariat runs the affairs of the Committee, including carrying out detailed analytical and policy work across Government and beyond to ensure that policy and strategy in relation to migration is based on the best possible evidence and analysis.
This post provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to apply economics to solving real world problems in a high-profile area, work with leading academics, gain experience of the policy development process and develop strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
This role offers the post holder the time and the space to think deeply about the dynamics of migration, apply analytical skills and build team capability. Additionally, the post holder will play an influential role in the development of MAC recommendations on UK migration policy and will help deliver cutting-edge research to advance the evidence base on migration. The MAC work programme is made up of high-profile reviews commissioned by Home Office ministers and additional research projects agreed by the Committee. This gives space to identify strategic and topical issues, and develop the evidence base in these areas.
Key responsibilities
- Direct line management of around five Grade 7s, with responsibility of leading a team of around twelve analysts, including economists and social researchers. Creating a positive team culture and supporting staff development.
- Provide leadership and oversight of MAC reviews and projects focused on analysis of visa routes (previous examples include the Family Route Financial Requirements Review, and the MAC’s fiscal modelling). Oversee the strategic direction and production of MAC reports, ensuring the work is fit for purpose, high quality and effectively contributes to migration policy decisions. Provide thought-leadership to link the evidence to live policy questions.
- Act as a primary point of contact for the MAC Chair and Committee and be responsible for ensuring the work of the team meets their needs during MAC meetings and throughout production of reports.
- Collaborate effectively with other teams across the Secretariat to deliver MAC reviews, drawing on a range of expertise across professions and from a diverse set of external stakeholders.
- Drive the agenda on improving data on migration, ensuring the MAC have access to new data to do innovative analysis and bring creativity in developing data in the longer term.
- Develop effective working relationships across the Home Office and other government departments ensuring team members are linked into current policy changes and developments in migration analysis.
- As part of Senior Management Team (SMT) in the MAC Secretariat, contributing to the functioning of the wider team and demonstrating leadership across corporate issues.
Although the MAC itself is an independent body, the post-holder will become part of the Home Office’s analytical community and have full access to career, networking and development opportunities available to Home Office analysts.
Travel
Occasional travel may be required to other work locations within the UK according to business needs and may include overnight stays. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.
Working Pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 28 hours per week due to business requirements. Applications from job share candidates are welcome, but any job offer is conditional upon a viable job-sharing arrangement being available.
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