Deputy Director for the Data Science Campus
Office for National Statistics
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 14th November 2024
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Location
ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations in Newport, Titchfield (Fareham), Manchester and London and working between office and remote throughout the week.
As part of the hybrid working arrangement there is a 40% minimum office attendance requirement. Attendance is typically at your contractual office, with occasional travel to alternative locations. Due to estates constraints, there are currently temporary exceptions to this for colleagues based at Manchester and Darlington who are required to attend the office for a minimum of 20% of their work time
About the job
Job summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and is the recognised National Statistical Institute.
The Data Science Campus (DSC) applies data science, and builds skills, for public good across the UK and internationally. Our role is to apply data science and AI in impactful ways to improve statistics, the operations of the Office for National Statistics, and wider public sector (domestic and international) decision-making.
Established within the ONS in 2017, we’ve built up a strong team and a network of third-party participants in the mission of the Campus and have established a series of impactful projects that provide insight into key policy themes.
The Data Science Campus
A new generation of tools and technologies is being used to make use the growth and availability of new data sources and innovative methods to provide rich informed measurement and analyses on the economy, the global environment and wider society.
The DSC is an internationally renowned centre of excellence with an international reputation in leading the data science and AI agenda, particularly as it applies to National Statistical Organisations such as the ONS.
As well as supporting ONS to apply new techniques to understand the UK’s economy and society, the DSC acts as a hub for government to gain practical advantage from the wider investment in modern data, tools, and techniques.
Alongside working closely with internal colleagues and external stakeholders on cross-cutting areas, the work of the DSC is applied to and informs the statistics production and insights that the ONS produces.
Job description
The DSC is looking for a new Deputy Director to help lead the next phase of data science capacity building throughout ONS and across government. The Campus is a friendly, diverse and collaborative environment, and this leadership role oversees established data science research and programme teams situated across our four UK hubs.
You will be passionate about using state of the art data science methods and a myriad of data sources available for public good. This post will give you the opportunity to inform vital public policy responses to cross-cutting and topical issues in the UK and internationally, working across multiple domains.
You will be responsible for over 40 of the Campus staff – data scientists, developers, project delivery, lecturers and national programme managers who deliver data science projects and programmes and support the cross-public sector data science community. Our remit stretches beyond improving official statistics and supports better decision making in the UK and internationally.
The Deputy Director is responsible for a broad programme of multidisciplinary data science projects and programmes, and for managing resources to ensure effective delivery. Our programmes seek to apply of data science and AI within the domestic and international public sector, providing faster and more meaningful analysis, enabling more effective decision making, and delivering significant impact on a national and international scale. Above all else, these projects are undertaken with integrity and trustworthiness and underpinned by adherence to a rigorous ethical framework.
The Deputy Director will also lead the Data Science International team that develops and delivers a range of programmes to support the use of data science and AI in a range of countries and international organisations such as the United Nations
For more information, please refer to candidate pack attached.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Candidates are expected to evidence these criteria within their CV and Personal Statement:
- Experience of shaping strategy, policy, and operations, working with a diverse set of internal and external senior stakeholders from problem-definition to delivery;
- A broad knowledge of the data science and AI landscape and the use and application of data science and AI within Government and other sectors;
- Experience providing inclusive leadership to lead and develop a high-performing muti-disciplinary division with a track record of creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement and delivering impactful applied data science and AI work;
- Experience of successful people, portfolio and delivery management;
- A post-graduate qualification in relevant quantitative discipline or able to demonstrate equivalent professional competency; and
- Excellent communication skills and senior stakeholder engagement skills to identify the value and limitations of data science and AI solutions.
Benefits
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our 5400 valued colleagues across the business.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that the benefits pack attached (bottom of page) will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a member of the Business Disability Forum and a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Security Clearance
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying.
A lack of UK residency in itself is not always a bar to security clearance but the Department will need to consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.
At the point of SC application you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
Selection Process
Applications should consist of your CV and Personal statement combined as one document and uploaded as a single attachment through Civil Service Jobs.
A Curriculum Vitae consisting of:
- Details of your education and/or professional qualifications.
- Full employment history, giving details (where applicable) of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant key achievements in recent posts.
- Details of your latest remuneration.
A Personal Statement, which includes:
- Explanation as to how you meet the essential criteria as detailed on the Person Specification. Your statement should be no longer than 2 pages of A4. We recommend that you give clear examples for each including your personal contribution and impact and value of your actions.
Applications will be acknowledged shortly after receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within one week of applying for the post, please contact our SCS Recruitment Team at: SCS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk
Further information on the assessment and interview for this role can be found in the attached candidate pack.
Expected Recruitment Timetable
Closing date – Thursday 14th November 2024
Shortlisting meeting – Monday 25th November 2024
Employee Engagement Exercise – Thursday 5th December 2024
Interviews – Monday 13th January 2025
If you meet the required standard but the recruiting department is unable to offer you the job, you may be given the option of being added to a reserve list. Reserve lists may be shared with other Civil Service departments and professions who are recruiting for similar roles.
Full terms and conditions are attached at the bottom of this advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Osama Rahman
- Email : Osama.rahman@ons.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Scs.recruitment@ons.gov.uk
Further information
