About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade as we promote British business, trade and investment domestically and across the world. Creating vital policy to oil the machinery of British businesses and help UK prosperity.  

The Global Supply Chains Directorate leads on ensuring resilience in critical supply chains – assessing vulnerabilities and actions to be taken to secure resilience. It oversees Government’s forward-looking view of risk relating to global supply chain vulnerabilities, working across Whitehall and industry to inform fast-paced and strategic decision making at the highest levels in government.  

The Global Supply Chains Intelligence Programme (GSCIP) has developed a set of tools that utilise linked government and commercial datasets, using novel analytical and data science techniques, to derive insights. Our vision is to establish the Programme as HMG's single leading intelligence platform for analysing global supply chains and linked business networks, enabling policy makers to make data-driven decisions, creating value for money for taxpayers and strengthening the resilience of the UK’s national and economic security.  

As a Senior Statistical/Analytical Data Scientist you will work in a team of data scientists to use your expertise to deliver outputs for use cases. This may include exploring supply chain datasets and testing analytical and data science techniques to link data together to inform how goods move across the globe. It could also involve utilising network visualisation tools to explore and display supply networks or creating dashboards on supply chains insights.   

Alongside completing use cases, you will support the development of the Programme through improving the tools and data available for analysis. Our ‘Enhancement’ workstream includes all work we are doing as a data science team, to better understand and improve our data and tools (for example providing coherent documentation, creating templates for common tasks, bespoke projects to test innovative data science techniques). As a Senior Statistical/Analytical Data Scientist, you will support these projects.  

Job description

You will: 

• Use data sources, innovative analytical tools and techniques, coding skills, research skills, and mathematical and statistical skills to deliver innovative data science for the public sector.  
• Support the development of an area of the ‘Enhancement’ workstream – supporting the development of the Programme’s tools and improving our understanding and use of data.    
• Engage in activities to support the data science community through, for example, presentations, workshops, and mentoring—including acting as an ambassador for the UK public sector data science community.  
• Work collaboratively and flexibly in the Programme team, take ownership of tasks and deliverables.  
• Present to stakeholders and governance groups to update, escalate or present solutions.  
• Communicate your analysis to a wide range of stakeholders, both technical and non-technical. Clearly explaining any caveats and sensitivities.  
• Be flexible and pragmatic; work with teams to avoid silo working.  
• Work with several other government departments that are supporting the Programme to understand user requirements, develop use cases, and keep them informed of developments.

The Programme is a shared outcomes funded programme, meaning we work with multiple departments cross-government. You will engage with stakeholders across DBT and other Government Departments to understand potential user needs, provide advice on new data sources, and utilise your data science skills to help maximise the value of the prototype. You will also work with other members of the team to engage with external suppliers of data and related services to resolve issues and improve service. 

The post attracts an analyst allowance of £4,245 (or £6,000 if you hold a relevant Masters) in addition to the salary quoted. Find out more about the work that we do at DBT at our LinkedIn pages and our Civil Service Careers page.  

Person specification

Essential Criteria  

• Must be an existing member of the Government Statistician Group (GSG), Government Social Research profession (GSR), Government Economic Service (GES) or the Government Operational Research Group (GORS) or willing to undergo a test to become a badged member of one of these professions.
• Ability to undertake the tasks listed in the job description. 
• A track record of delivering complex data science projects on time to meet user needs and overcoming any challenges. 
• A demonstrable commitment to developing your knowledge and expertise, as well as that of others. 
• Significant technical data science knowledge. 

Desirable Criteria   

• Experience in Databricks environment  
• Experience in Natural Language Processing, and/or Machine Learning  
• Any knowledge or experience in network science  
• Ability to work flexibly within a team

Personal attributes  

Our ideal candidate is a data scientist that is passionate about their work; keen to deliver analysis and tools; and try innovative techniques. They should be skilled at understanding stakeholder needs and being able to set and maintain expectations.  

They enjoy taking ownership of their work and working with others to deliver it. They are eager to engage with multiple departments across government and external academics and suppliers. They are continually developing themselves and others, through formal and informal training.  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,633 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.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception. 

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way. 

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:    

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages. 
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your technical skills, qualities and experience providing evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.   

Applicants who want to apply to the GSG will be required to do an online statistical test. Once you have submitted your application and the application has closed, you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete the GSG online multiple choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed within 48 hours for you to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered. If you are an existing member of the GSG you will not be required to do the online test.

In advance of the interview, if you are not an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, you will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written “knowledge test”. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MSTeams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge of social research and statistical methods.

Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, GES, GSR or GORS, you are exempt from sitting the test. To prevent your application being rejected please email resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk as soon as you submit an application to notify us, please include the campaign number in the email title and your membership number. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.

As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview. 

At interview you will be assessed on the following technical skills relating to the membership your application is being processed against -

• Government Social Research: Technical skills  Click Here
• Government Statistician Group: Acquiring data and understanding customer needs, Data analysis and Presenting and disseminating data effectively  Click Here
• Government Operational Research Service: Achieving impact with analysis and Knowledge and application of OR skills  Click Here      
• Government Economics Service: Analysis of data  Click Here 

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). 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.

Reasonable Adjustments 

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:  

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.  

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.   

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

Candidate Support 

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.   

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.  

Further Information: 

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.    
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. 
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.   
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.   
• Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.    
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.   
• Terms and Conditions are attached.  Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.   

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland or Access NI on your behalf. 

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.  

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk  

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk  

Vetting 

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.     

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. 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.