Data Science Graduate Programme 2023

Do you have the drive and passion to use your ability in Data Science to make a real difference in society and be a part of the data revolution?

Data has never been more important than now to help the public sector achieve its aims. Across the public sector we are set on using data more effectively to help deliver better public services. The National Data Strategy (NDS) sets out our ambition to drive the collective vision that will support the UK to build a world-leading data economy. It will help ensure that people, businesses, and organisations trust the data ecosystem, are sufficiently skilled to operate effectively within it, and can get access to data when they need it.

The Data Science Graduate Programme is delivered by the Data Science Campus at the Office for National Statistics on behalf of several public sector organisations. This is an exciting opportunity for graduates to work at the heart of public sector data science, whilst receiving training in data science skills and techniques.

What you will do

• Helping public sector organisations understand and tackle some of the key issues facing society.
• Delivering insight from data by applying your newly gained skills in coding, mathematics and statistics.
• Supporting the creation of innovative data products and services and be able to tell a compelling evidence-based narrative.

We have opportunities to join the Data Science Graduate Programme in a variety of public sector organisations. The organisation the candidate is placed with will be the employing organisation. These include:

• Atomic Weapons Establishment
• Care Quality Commission
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
• Department of Health and Social Care
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities 
• Home Office
• Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals -NHS Foundation Trust
• Office for National Statistics
• Office for Product Safety & Standards 
• UK Health Security Agency

Other organisations or departments may be added during the campaign.  The candidate pack provides further information about each organisation, locations and security check requirements.

Successful candidates will be offered roles subject to meeting the relevant employing organisation’s Terms and Conditions and security requirements. Offers will take into account location preferences of candidates.

Job Description

The Data Science Graduate Programme will provide you with highly valuable work experience, that develops your Data Science knowledge and skills through our structured two-year learning pathway. You will have the learning opportunities to think critically about data and data science, with appropriate consideration of ethics, impartial analysis and effective communication of data-derived insights.

You will join experienced teams of Data Scientists in high-profile public-sector organisations. In these teams you will use the training gained during the programme, to apply cutting-edge Data Science techniques that will enable you to produce work of a high standard which will have real world impact and prepare you for a successful data science career in the public sector.

Whilst your individual responsibilities will vary depending upon your assigned organisation, as a Data Science Graduate you will:

• Actively engage with regular training sessions delivered by the Data Science Campus at the Office for National Statistics. You will attend lectures and tutorials online, work through self-directed learning and reading material and participate in learning-oriented group events and activities.
• Work on projects and day to day problems in your home organisation, where you will apply your learning.

Person Specification

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the skills and experience that meet the following essential criteria:

• Core programming skills (R or Python would be beneficial but not essential)
• Mathematical skills, including statistical, critical analysis and curiosity about data and modelling.
• Logical and creative thinking skills. Able to apply innovative approaches and techniques.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills. Able to identify efficient and effective ways to resolve problems.
• Good IT skills with the ability to learn new systems and ways of working.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Able to share insights with stakeholders, interpret requirements and present data in a clear, enthusiastic and compelling way.
• Team working and interpersonal skills. Able to sensitively work with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

You should have, or be working towards completing with a predicted grade by September 2023 one of the following:

• At least a 2:1 degree or a higher degree in a subject with numerate and/or statistical elements, Or
• Equivalent experience of working in an Analytical field to the same level as foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level 5). Please demonstrate how you meet this within the CV section of your application under job history.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical Skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Core programming skills (R or Python would be beneficial but not essential)
• Mathematical skills, including statistical, critical analysis and curiosity about data and modelling
• The technical skills detailed above will be assessed at interview through a technical exercise as well as through evidence detailed in your personal statement at sift stage.

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 will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.

We are an organisation that takes well-being seriously and lives and breathes the desire to modernise the workplace of the future. Everyone, from our office-based colleagues across our UK sites, to our field interviewers and airports and ports passenger survey teams, are part of a diverse and inclusive family.

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.

The exact benefits offered by each organisation may differ, please refer to the Candidate Pack for more information about the organisations participating in this programme or contact the recruitment team with any specific questions.  

Application Stage

To apply you will firstly be asked to submit the short form details, you will then be asked to undertake a numeracy test prior to completing your full application. This test is not timed but will need to be completed and passed in order for you to progress to the full application. The full application section consists of a CV section and Personal Statement.

Your CV section should be tailored to demonstrate any skills, knowledge and experience that are relevant to the content of the role, this should also include professional qualifications and employment history. 

Your personal statement should be no longer than 1250 words. You should use this space to provide evidence for each essential criteria 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.

Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at the application stage and are assessed at interview.

Please make sure that you fully complete the qualifications section in the application form. Applications submitted without details of degree studied, grades and credits (including predicted) will be discounted. Candidates applying with equivalent experience should provide evidence in the CV section. Failure to provide this information will result in your application being sifted out of the process.

All elements of the application must be completed and submitted by the closing date.

Shortlisting and Interview

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 using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, where you'll be assessed against all the behaviours and technical skills outlined in the advert.

Ahead of the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare a verbal presentation of no more than 10 minutes, leading into follow up technical  questions. This will be the Technical Skills element of the assessment. Further information including the topic will be provided to successful candidates prior to interview.

All interviews will be conducted by Video Conference. Interviews from 29th May 2023. These dates are subject to change.

Additional Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Candidates should note this is a multi-location campaign and therefore the reserve list is recorded by location in merit order.

Individuals appointed will be subject to National Security Vetting at “SC Cleared” level for this post. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out applicants will normally need to have lived in the UK for the 3 to 5 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 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.

Some departments/organisations may require additional or higher level security checks. If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please contact the recruitment team via the email address on the advert before applying.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) 
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.