Assistant Methodologists
Office for National Statistics
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 31st October 2024
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Type of role
Statistics
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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 or Darlington 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
Do you want to contribute to a unique range of statistical outputs whilst developing a diverse and fulfilling career? Do you have a background in statistical methods? You can kick start your career here at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) with one of these opportunities.
As the UK’s largest producer of official statistics we measure and report changes in the value of the UK economy, provide various estimates of the population, produce Covid-19 data, environmental, crime and migration statistics through to reporting the UK's data for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The ONS is trusted with this huge undertaking because our and other government statistics are underpinned by robust statistical methodology and meet accepted quality standards. Our Methodology and Quality Directorate (MQD) exists to ensure this and continuously aims to improve the rigour and cost-effectiveness of regular statistical outputs, as well as undertake research, provide advice and guidance on best practice; ensuring new methodologies deliver consistently deliver high quality statistics.
MQD work across all ONS outputs and supports the entire statistical production chain. We seek to exploit technology and emerging statistical, qualitative, social research, and data science methodologies to research and develop innovative solutions to new and existing issues. We provide a forward-looking, efficient, professional and accessible service to its stakeholders and works with similar organisations internationally.
Our Assistant Methodologist posts are the main graduate-level analytical role into MQD. As an Assistant Methodologist whilst you will work primarily in one area of expertise based on your technical experience and current vacancies, there is ample opportunity to get involved in a range of work. Our methodologists have played key roles in the response to Covid-19 and other matters of national importance. In these roles often no two days are the same.
You will be given a range of development opportunities through various projects and formal training through to attending events both domestically and internationally relevant to your work and career. You can expect to receive a lot of support, guidance, and training in methods relevant to official statistics, in statistical computing (programming) and in your professional development more generally.
To meet some of our people and learn more about why you should join our team by joining our Candidate Information Session on 23rd October at 11am - Link
Job description
Typically as an Assistant Methodologist you will be conducting statistical methods research and development, conducting research and analysis, usually as discrete projects, and supporting different business areas in ONS with the provision of advice and guidance.
Your role may entail working collaboratively with experts in academia, other government departments and national statistical institutes worldwide, as well as working on a consultancy basis for external customers.
Further information about the range of work on offer can be found in the candidate pack, attached to this advert.
We welcome applicants from a wide variety of quantitative analytical backgrounds, including analysts from various professions such as operational research and social research.
Key Responsibilities
- You will join a team that specialises in a particular aspect of Methodology & Quality’s work, and contribute to the delivery of the team’s projects.
- You will work on a range of methodological and analytical research and development projects, applying your skills and knowledge to ensure and improve the quality of methods used in the production of official statistics.
- You will be responsible for your own work.
- You will work closely with your customers in understanding their problem domain and communicating your findings.
- You will support the wider improvement of directorate working practices through joining or contributing to the leadership of non-technical working groups.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
We will assess you against these essential criteria in your personal statement:
- Proven evidence of statistical, data science or social research, using quantitative data
- Evidence of statistical computing (programming), with experience of at least one of R, Python, SAS, Stata or other similar languages, and the ability to learn new programming languages.
- An ability to deliver high-quality outputs to specified deadlines.
- An ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- An ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of appropriate formats.
Qualifications
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree or post-graduate degree (conditional offers may be made for predicted grades) in a mathematical, statistical, or data science discipline, or other subject with substantial statistical or quantitative analytical content .
OR
Clearly demonstrated equivalent experience, knowledge or qualifications may also be considered.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Acquiring Data Goverment_Statistical_Group_Framework
- Data Analysis Goverment_Statistical_Group_Framework
- Presenting and disseminating data effectively Goverment_Statistical_Group_Framework
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 read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or 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
Applicants may utilise AI resources in their submissions; ensuring all information provided is factually accurate, truthful, and original, avoiding any form of plagiarism to maintain the authenticity and credibility of the application process.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Application Stage
Assessment will be based on meeting the qualifications standards or equivalent knowledge and experience as such that you must demonstrate you are eligible to apply; your work history, skill and experience; and your personal statement.
Your application should be tailored to demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience that are relevant to role. Your personal statement can be up to a maximum of 1250 words and you should use this space fully to provide evidence for each essential criterion stated on the person specification. As the criteria are scored, we recommend that you give clear examples for each including the impact of your actions. You are advised to provide your examples using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action and Result) .
Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage.
In cases where there is a high number of applications per vacancy the sift pass mark may be adjusted and candidates will be invited to interview in merit order, i.e., those scoring the highest.
Interview Stage
Should you be invited to interview, you will be assessed against all the behaviours and technical skills outlined in the advert.
A presentation will be required at interview. Further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.
Interviews will be held via video conferencing.
Important dates
Advert closing date: 31st October
Sift assessment: From 4th November
Interview assessment: From 21st November
Please note dates are subject to change.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Full terms and conditions are attached at the bottom of this advert.
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 : MDQ Resource
- Email : mqd.resource@ons.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : ONS.Analytical.Resourcing@ons.gov.uk
Further information
