Statistician 2023

Overview

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as protecting viewers and listeners form harmful material in TV, radio and on-demand programmes. We also oversee the universal postal service, the radio spectrum over which wireless devices operate, and also help to make sure people don’t get scammed and are protected from bad practices.

We have recently taken on the regulation of UK-established video-sharing platforms such as Tik Tok and Twitch, and we are preparing for a future role as the Online Safety regulator under the Governments proposed new laws. Protecting consumers is at the heart of what we do.

On our graduate scheme, you will embark on a two-year series of intensive job placements, moving regularly between projects and departments to ensure that the knowledge and insight you are exposed to is as broad as possible. One week you might be devising new policy directives; the next, monitoring content standards of broadcast programmes.

Ofcom is a forward-thinking, inclusive, diversity champion, and disability confident employer.

Join us, it has never been a more exciting time to join Ofcom as the communications sector and regulatory environment evolves to tackle new online challenges.

The Role

The global communications industry is continuing to change at breakneck speed. As the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom is at the heart of a sector which not only impacts everyone’s lives but also plays a leading role in the UK economy.

Ofcom’s Research and Intelligence team is the source of critical information and insight, providing data and analysis on the communication industries. We sit within the Strategy and Research Group and provide first-class analysis and insight of UK communications market developments that serve as the evidence base for Ofcom’s policy and regulatory work. Our work includes leading the delivery of Ofcom’s annual Communications Market Report, Online Nation Report, Media Nations Report and advising on the development and analysis of consumer research surveys as well as analysing new and innovative data sources. 

Associates in the Research and Intelligence team are empowered to display strong analytical skills, excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively. You will provide high quality analysis of communications market data, including leading pieces that shape Ofcom’s long-term thinking and strategy. The role includes drawing insights from large data sets and delivering high quality internal and external publications.

Statisticians work across the full range of Ofcom’s policy and regulatory responsibilities, providing you with the opportunity to make a difference to citizens through evidence based regulation underpinned by high-quality statistics and analysis.

Requirements of the Role

• Contribute to the design of market research surveys, advising on sampling, weighting and related statistical considerations.
• Advise on, and carry out, statistical analysis of data which Ofcom collects
• Providing guidance on the appropriate use of statistics and on practical application of statistical and modelling techniques with consumer and other data sources.
• Lead on the analysis and exploration of datasets of varying sizes and structures from a range of sources, producing clear, repeatable and robust findings.
• Present analysis in a concise, clear, and easily accessible way using graphs, charts, well-written text, interactve reports and presentations.
• Engage with project teams across the Strategy and Research group, and groups and teams across Ofcom, to find out what their statistical and analysis requirements are.
• Support Ofcom in fulfilling it’s duties with respect to the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Candidate Profile

At Ofcom, we're looking for:

• Ambitious and passionate individuals who live by our values of: Excellence, Collaboration, Agility, Empowerment and Respect
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Graduating by September 2023 in a numbers based degree discipline 
• Knowledge, and use of, statistical significance tests such as t-tests, chi-square, correlation, and regression
• Proficiency in a range of statistical, analytic and visualisation packages to manage data sets, analyse results and present data in clear, concise and creative ways (such as SPSS, Python, R, Power BI, Azure Databricks).
• Good attention to detail and commitment to ensure work is accurate.
• Curiosity, and enthusiasm for analytical work and strategic thinking.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex results and technical issues clearly and concisely in writing and orally to different audiences/stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with ability to manage and prioritise a range of work, projects and ad hoc requests.
• Understanding and appreciation of the role of regulation in the communications sector.

Desirable skills/experience

• Experience of working on online surveys and/or mixed methodology surveys.
• Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Statistics.
• Experience of applying quantitative techniques associated with Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science or Social Research in an academic or real-world context.

Benefits

• Flexible benefits allowance
• Pension allowance
• 25 days’ holiday
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Annual health check
• Income protection insurance

Application 

The application process consists of four stages:

• Initial application
• Blended assessment & video interview
• Assessment Centre (to be held virtually February - March 2023)

For this role, you can be based in either the London, Cardiff, Manchester or Edinburgh offices. We also support flexible ways of working, wherever possible.

Diversity & Inclusion at Ofcom

Ofcom is a forward-thinking, inclusive employer and recognises the value of diversity to truly “make communications work for everyone”. Here at Ofcom, our vision is to ensure people are part of an environment when they can truly strive and be themselves, therefore we aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – irrespective of social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability. We are an organisation that strives to be truly representative of the whole of the UK and our aim is to be an employer of choice for everyone.

We champion flexible working and so wherever possible we support flexible working patterns including job shares.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meets the minimum selection criteria of the role as outlined in the job specification, if applicants would like to be considered under this scheme. We pride ourselves on ensuring all candidates are treated fairly throughout the application and selection process including making our process as accessible as possible. You can find more information on the scheme here. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

Should you require any adjustments to be made, please do contact us directly at ofcomresourcing@omnirms.com

For more information and guidance please visit: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/ask-for-adjustments-at-interview