About the job

Job summary

The D&A Hub is made up of a number of teams covering a variety of roles. This includes multiple analytical teams ranging from large scale big data analysis to ‘big picture’ assessed intelligence reporting and end-to-end tactical analysis supporting live operations. These are supported by a number of other teams that acquire and manage key datasets, build new cutting edge capabilities and provide a business support wrap around.

The D&A Hub looks to capitalise on combined strengths and commonalities, providing a central, cohesive and informative analytical function for the agency. 

Job description

As a Lead Data Scientist, you are responsible for overseeing a multi-functional team to develop and deliver analytical products and data science solutions to operational problems across NDEC, the wider agency other law enforcement agencies. You will oversee all strategic and technical activities for the Data Science & Analytics (DS&A) team.

***To be considered, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance before commencing the role and achieve DV clearance within the first 12 months in post.***

Person specification

Main Responsibilities:   

• Technical Lead and Delivery: Use knowledge and experience in data science to support the technical delivery of the DS&A team (both NDEC and external technical staff).  Develop innovative solutions to data science problems in support of Data Lab objectives.
• Subject Matter Expert and Quality Assurance: Provide subject matter expertise to senior NDEC staff, partners, suppliers and wider law enforcement on data science and data analysis capabilities and practices. Oversee quality assurance for the DS&A team, ensuring methods are documented and work is reviewed to ensure coding practices and standards are consistently maintained. Manage the implementation of effective testing. Champion data analysis and data science best practice.
• Value Stream Management: Undertake value stream management activities, working closely with the Technical Operations Manager to manage technical efficiency, effectiveness, performance, and improvement activities for the DS&A team.
• Data Policies, Standards and Governance: Engage with the Architecture function and Data Acquisition Management Office (DAMO) on NDEC data policies and standards and ensure adherence and alignment to these across the DS&A team. Promote data governance best practice within the team and across the agency. 
• Data Lab Strategic Direction and Innovation: Support NDEC in shaping and setting the strategic and technical direction for Data Lab. Regularly identify and gather insights into new tools, data technologies and methodologies that could be obtained and utilised to expand and develop Data Lab capabilities.
• DX Partner Support: Manage Data Lab stakeholders and partners and promote the value of DS&A within NDEC, the NCA, other LEAs and wider government.
• Professional Development Support: Provide development and professional guidance and support to data scientists and data analysts, encourage continuous learning and professional development and support staff to achieve their career / development objectives. 
• NDEC Cross-Team Support and Engagement: Support the wider Data Lab team on ad-hoc activities as resource and capacity dictates. Regularly engage and collaborate with colleagues across NDEC. Share knowledge and support cross-NDEC team activities as required. Assist with recruitment activities for the department as necessary.
• Programme Engagement (as required): Provide guidance and advice to the NDEC Programme as required.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,675, National Crime Agency contributes £16,652 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

 If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 23:55 on Sunday 21st April 2024. 

You will be asked to complete a CV as part of the application process. Please see the candidate information pack for more information.

Once submitted your application will be acknowledged by the Government Recruitment Service.

Please note depending on the volume of applications a Longlist at sift may be conducted on following criteria:

• Extensive experience in data analysis and machine learning,  using modern relevant data science libraries (preferably in Python) and deep learning frameworks for both structured and unstructured data (especially text).
  

Candidates must pass this criteria for their application to be progressed.

A panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the Entry Criteria section.

Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Sift results are expected to be released w/c Monday 13th May 2024. 

Interviews will take place throughout May and June 2024 - locations to be confirmed. Please be advised that the type of interview (eg. virtual/face-to-face) may be subject to change and successful candidates will be notified of this prior to attending. However the interview is conducted, the interview criteria will remain as shown on page 15 of the Candidate Information Pack. 

The above sift and interview dates are an indicative timeline.

Should you be successful at sift but cannot attend on the interview date(s) listed the recruitment team cannot guarantee an alternative date. Please contact the recruitment team.

You will then be asked to attend an interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence. The interview process will include a presentation.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Any instances of plagiarism including copying of examples/answers from internet sources will result in a withdrawal of your application. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all Civil Servants.

Multi-Location

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only. If you are posted to a location that you have requested and you do not accept that location, you may not be offered another role.

Please note, only advertised location can be offered. Notes populated in a free text box will not be taken into consideration.

Loan and Secondment

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Near Miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in the NCA which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Hybrid Working

Here at the NCA we have a hybrid working arrangement in place enabling officers to work a proportion of their role remotely. Eligibility and the degree of home working will vary depending on the requirements of the role. Further details can be discussed at offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustment

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. As part of our application process you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustment to our recruitment process that you may need. If you have a disability or long-term condition (a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities protected under the Equality Act 2010) and need us to make any adjustments or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Please contact us by emailing ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date if you wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying.

Inclusion and Accessibility

The NCA embraces and values diversity in all forms. Being truly reflective of the communities we serve and building a culture where everyone can perform at their best is critical to leading the UK’s fight against serious and organised crime – something which affects us all. We want to recruit and retain the very best and broadest diversity of officers so the NCA welcomes applications from individuals from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

VETTING REQUIREMENTS SC

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.

Checks will be made against:

• 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

VETTING REQUIREMENTS - DV

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.

The requirement for DV is to have been present in the UK for at least 7 of the last 10 years.

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If you require DV clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.

Checks will be made against:

• successful completion of the BPSS
• UK criminal record and identity checks
• credit reference checks
• relevant personnel and medical checks (if required)

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

We encourage all candidates to thoroughly review the candidate pack which explains the role further before submitting an application.

If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the candidate pack, please contact:

ncarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). 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.