Quality Analyst
Office for National Statistics
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 15th October 2024
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Economist
Operational Delivery
Operational Research
Statistics
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Contents
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
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration.
The Best Practice Assurance & Improvement team is a multi-disciplinary team focused on managing ONS Quality Framework, ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice and relevant standards, as well as proactive and proportionate management of our risks to quality. Our goal is to identify needs on quality best practice, support output areas in their quality management activities, and assure leadership on quality management practices to manage the corporate strategy risk on quality, including through the collection and analysis of management information.
The team is part of the Quality and Improvement Division in the Methodology and Quality Directorate. The directorate ensures that data and analysis in government are aligned with the vision of the UK Statistics Authority and of the National Data Strategy. Also, it ensures that quality standards and frameworks, such as the Government Data Quality Framework and the Code of Practice for Statistics, are known and followed. We apply innovative approaches to promote and embed good practice in quality across government, including a focus on communicating the quality of statistics, analysis and data. We provide a forward-looking, efficient, professional, and accessible service.
We welcome applications from those in any of the Government Analysis Function professions, such as GES, GSG, GORS and ODP. Although we will not be badging to professions through this campaign, an assessment for badging may be arranged once in post.
Job description
To implement, manage and further develop our Quality Assurance Framework, and provide assurance that quality is appropriately managed, the right support is being delivered, and improvements are being implemented as required.
The post holder for this role will work collaboratively with others in the division and in ONS to ensure that ONS has the right tools, capabilities, and guidance to ensure that quality is managed in line with the organisation’s vision and aspiration.
The role provides scope for a variety of work, including data analysis throughout the data lifecycle, collaborating with colleagues at all levels and gaining a big picture view of the work in ONS.
Key Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Support setting direction in ONS on quality management of analysis, statistics and data, aligning to the strategic priorities of the UK Statistics Authority the National Statistician, and Quality Committee.
- Manage the monitoring and delivery of ONS Quality Management Tools, such as the Quality Improvement Plans, or the Divisional Quality Maturity Model, leading on the relationship with output areas.
- Engage with ONS statistical output areas to ensure they receive the support they need and that best practice is consistently implemented.
- Support the reporting, assessing and understanding of quality management across ONS, including collecting and analysing relevant indicators for Quality Committee and Quality Delivery Group, as well as supporting the One ONS Design Authority.
- Working collaboratively across the division and ONS to achieve organisational goals on quality management
- Supporting analysing and reporting on a variety of data to build a picture of ONS progress under our Quality Management Framework and risk exposure.
Person specification
Essential
- You will have some experience in quantitative analysis or statistical production, with an awareness of quality management of analytical processes.
- You will be able to work with a range of stakeholders across boundaries, building positive and collaborative working relationships.
- You will be innovative and will seek out opportunities to improve existing processes and generate positive change.
- You will be able to deliver at pace and adapt to rapidly changing requirements.
Desirable
- Some experience of using R or Python for analytical purposes.
- Experience of working with government data, and/or with official statistics in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Data analysis or statistical production with an awareness of quality management of analytical processes.
- Further analytical questions relevant to the role may be assessed.
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.
style="max-width:100%;" alt="Inclusion & Diversity"
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.
Assessment at application stage will be based on your work history, skill and experience and personal statement. Your application should be tailored to demonstrate any skills, knowledge and experience that are relevant to the content of the role.
Your personal statement should be no longer than 1250 words. You should use this space fully to provide evidence for each essential criterion within the person specification. As the criteria are scored, we would recommend that you give clear examples for each including the impact of your actions and set them out using the STAR acronym (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage.
In cases where there is a high number of applications the sift pass mark may be adjusted and candidates will be invited to interview in merit order, i.e., those scoring the highest.
Should you be invited to interview you will be assessed against all the behaviours (and technical skills if applicable) as 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.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Sift will take place – From 16th October 2024
Interviews – W/C 28th October 2024
Dates are subject to change
For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment below.
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 : Michaela Rea
- Email : Michaela.Rea@ons.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AnalyticalRecruitment@ons.gov.uk
Further information
