Senior Statistical Officer: Trade Production Statistics
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Saturday 12th October 2024
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Salary
This post also receives an additional analytical allowance of £4,245. This post is also eligible for a masters analytical allowance of £6,000 per annum. To be eligible for this, you must have a higher degree (MSc or PhD) in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar).
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About the job
Job summary
Thank you for your interest in joining the Statistics and Data Division in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). This is a great place to work – people are enabled and supported to perform to their best and the culture is energetic, collaborative, kind and inclusive with excellent flexible working.
We are the UK government department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. The Analysis Group exists to make better policy and to ensure that Ministers and DBT’s leadership can make informed policy and operational decisions, based on the best possible analysis.
The Trade Production Statistics team, within the Trade Statistics Unit, is responsible for producing high quality, trusted, Official Statistics and briefing on trade and investment.
The team are a centre of expertise within DBT for trade statistics. We support colleagues across the department in finding and using suitable data and statistics. We maintain the Trade and investment country factsheets, the UK trade in numbers, and the Trade and Investment Core Statistics Book. These products are established, high-quality, and high-profile statistics that contribute to DBT’s “single version of the truth”.
The team leads on trade and investment statistics briefings for Ministers and senior officials across the department. Producing regular high quality summaries of the latest key statistics releases.
We are a team that’s dedicated to producing high-quality analysis and deploys advanced coding skills in our statistic production processes. There are opportunities to develop different areas of expertise, and you will be exposed to a wide range of colleagues throughout the department and within government.
Job description
This role provides ample opportunity for development. The successful candidate will lead on:
- The production of outputs, quality assurance, and publication of our Official Statistics (Trade and Investment Factsheets, UK trade in numbers, and the Trade and Investment Core Statistics book).
- Maintaining and developing the high-quality and rigour of our Official Statistics. This will include implementing improvements to R scripts and the reproducible analytical pipelines, fixing issues and adding new features, as part of the team’s ongoing development work.
- Regular statistics briefings for Ministers and senior officials across the department. Summarising key messages and telling the story from the latest trade and investment statistics; ensuring the figures are communicated in a way that is clear and easy to understand for a non-technical audience.
- Responding to ad-hoc queries related to the Official Statistics, including summarising and presenting trade data for colleagues and ensuring analysis is put into context with all necessary caveats. This can include inputting into ministerial briefings, parliamentary questions, and responding to media queries.
- Working flexibly across different directorates and with non-analytical colleagues that utilise our statistics to support them with any analytical projects and analysis.
- Providing guidance to team members and other colleagues on a range of UK and international trade data sources and their appropriate use. This includes working with the central statistics teams and other analytical DBT teams in promoting the “single version of the truth”, ensuring that data are interpreted and used correctly.
Additional responsibilities
- Line management of a junior analyst, delegating tasks and supporting them to develop their skills and lead on pieces of analytical work.
Person specification
Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate must demonstrate:
- Strong analytical experience, with the ability to analyse large and multiple data sets.
- The skills to explain complex statistics in an easy-to-understand manner, and a good eye for detail and accuracy.
- The ability to independently lead analytical projects in a complex environment.
- The ability to use forward planning and good judgement to identify risks and issues and where to make trade-offs to address them.
- Experience of programming with R (or a similar programming language) or being prepared to pick up the basics quickly.
- Experience in communicating analysis to a range of non-analytical colleagues.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience and knowledge of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
- Knowledge of macroeconomic trends/ understanding of macroeconomic data.
- Experience with Rmarkdown and Shiny.
Qualifications
A first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar).
A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar).
Have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a CPD Log Book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5).
Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least two years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics or data analysis (via a CPD logbook signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession).
Please note candidates may apply in their final year of study while they are still awaiting their qualification result. But formal contracts can only be offered upon confirmation of the achievement of the relevant qualification. In the case of an apprenticeship, this includes completing two years’ work experience in a statistical or data analysis field in government as part of attaining the qualification.
Memberships
Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) will be required to do an online statistical test as part of the application process to join the GSG and a presentation on a pre-prepared question at interview.
Once you have submitted your application and the application has closed, you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete the GSS online multiple-choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed within 48 hours for you to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.
Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting the online test. To prevent your application being rejected please email dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as you apply to notify us. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Acquiring Data and Understanding Customer Needs
- Data Analysis
- Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview/ assessment.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
- A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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 : Maddy Ell
- Email : Maddy.ell@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
