Census 2031 Field Training Officer

Job summary

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK's largest producer of official statistics and home to over 5,000 colleagues. We create the data that drives decisions, from measuring economic growth and tracking population changes to informing policy on everything from housing to healthcare. Our statistics don't just sit in reports; they directly influence how billions of pounds are allocated, how services are planned, and how communities are supported across the country.

This role will contribute to the review of previous Census approaches, support the testing of new and innovative training methods for the 2027 Test, and use insight from this to inform future delivery for the 2029 Rehearsal and 2031 Census.

Census 2031 represents our most ambitious data collection project yet – a once-in-a-decade opportunity to capture a complete picture of everyone living in England and Wales. Building on the digital success of 2021, we're pioneering new ways to reach every household and community, ensuring no one is left uncounted. This vital work will provide the foundation for policy decisions, resource allocation, and community planning for the next decade.

This role sits within the dedicated HR Operations function of the Census Field Services Group. It supports the identification of Census Field training requirements and works with a range of stakeholders and suppliers to help develop and deliver effective, scalable technical training for field operations.

You will contribute to the review of previous Census approaches, support the testing of new and innovative training methods for the 2027 Test, and use insight from this to inform future delivery for the 2029 Rehearsal and 2031 Census.

Job description

Are you ready to be part of something that shapes the future of our nation? Do you thrive on variety, enjoy working with lots of teams, and want to make a real difference? If so, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

The Census Field Training Officer is a key role within the dedicated Census HR Operations function, which manages all aspects of people operations for the Census field workforce, from recruitment and onboarding through to payroll, learning and development, employee relations, performance management and leaver processes.

Working to the Census HR Operations Lead, the role supports the delivery of onboarding and learning for the Census Field operation, contributing to the success of the 2027 Test and shaping approaches for future phases of delivery. It will require close working with colleagues across the Field Services Group, the wider Census programme, internal stakeholders, and third-party suppliers.

The role supports the review of previous Census training approaches, working with stakeholders to identify what has changed and where updates are required. It will help coordinate the development and delivery of training solutions for the 2027 Test, supporting a field workforce of approximately 400 staff, and contribute to approaches that will scale to significantly larger volumes, estimated at around 30,000 staff for the 2031 Census.

Working with internal teams and suppliers, the role helps ensure training is designed and delivered in line with agreed requirements and can be deployed effectively at scale. It also supports the tracking and reporting of training delivery and outcomes, using management information to monitor progress and identify issues.

Given the scale and complexity of the Census programme, the role will operate in a fast-paced and evolving environment, requiring a flexible and proactive approach, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Role Responsibilities:

Analyse and define learning requirements

• Work with operational and programme stakeholders to identify, challenge and refine training needs, drawing out the critical knowledge and skills required for field roles and ensuring learning is focused, relevant and aligned to operational priorities.

Translate business needs into effective training requirements

• Convert operational requirements into clear learning specifications, supporting the development of structured training approaches that balance stakeholder input with practical constraints on time, volume and delivery.

Coordinate the development and delivery of training solutions

• Support the planning and delivery of training for field operations, working with internal teams and suppliers to ensure solutions are deliverable at scale and aligned to agreed timelines and requirements.

Work with suppliers to shape and assure training delivery

• Act as an informed partner to suppliers, ensuring they understand requirements, providing constructive challenge, and supporting quality assurance of training content, delivery methods and assessment approaches.

Support evaluation and continuous improvement of training

• Contribute to the design and implementation of approaches to test and compare training methods, using insight and evidence to identify what is most effective and support refinement for future phases.

Use data and insight to monitor training effectiveness

• Work with suppliers to interpret management information on training delivery, engagement and assessment outcomes, using this to assess effectiveness, identify risks and support reporting.

Ensure training systems and processes meet delivery needs

• Work with suppliers and internal teams to ensure learning platforms, assessment approaches and processes are fit for purpose, meeting accessibility, security and operational requirements.

Work collaboratively to manage dependencies and delivery risks

• Work across teams, including recruitment and other suppliers, to align approaches, manage interdependencies and resolve issues in a complex and evolving delivery environment.

Line management responsibilities for up to 1 EOs but not until later in the census programme (this may increase as the programme progresses).

Person specification

Essential criteria:

1. Demonstrable experience working in a learning and development / training role where training is a core part of the job (for example, training officer, L&D practitioner, learning designer, trainer), with responsibility for supporting the end‑to‑end training cycle rather than only delivering occasional training as part of another role. (Lead Criteria - to be addressed through a targeted question at application stage, see the selection process for further details)
2. Experience of undertaking structured learning needs analysis / training needs analysis with business areas, including prioritising what must be included and challenging “nice to have” content to keep training focused and deliverable.
3. Experience of supporting the development of digital or blended training (for operational or customer‑facing roles), including quality assuring learning content and working through iterations with subject matter experts and/or suppliers.
4. Experience of using training data or management information to monitor learner progress/completion and report outcomes, with enough understanding of how an LMS works to provide informed challenge and assurance to suppliers.
5. Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders (including delivery teams, digital/security colleagues and external partners/suppliers), staying effective when requirements change.

Qualifications

CIPD Level 5 or willingness to work towards

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Demonstrable experience of using or managing learning management systems of similar digital platforms to deliver training at scale, with an understanding of how learning content, data and reporting are maintained.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,587, Office for National Statistics contributes £10,019 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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 valued colleagues across the organisation.

Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.

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 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

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

ONS are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants are expected to hold a valid right to work in the UK when employment commences. If you are applying on a time-limited visa, this will need to be valid for at least 18 months at point of application.

To work at the ONS, candidates must meet the UK right to work requirements.

If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.

Application Process

Number of Stages: 4-stage process

Stage 1: Work history, CV, skills and experience

Stage 2: Personal Statement

Stage 3: Question

Stage 4: Interview

Stage 1 – CV

The assessment process at stage 1 will be based on your work history, CV, skills and experience.

Stage 2 – Personal Statement

A personal statement is required at application stage, the maximum wordcount allowed is 750 words, which should not be exceeded. You should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed below (criterion 2-5 from the Person Specification). As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

2. Experience of undertaking structured learning needs analysis / training needs analysis with business areas, including prioritising what must be included and challenging “nice to have” content to keep training focused and deliverable.

3. Experience of supporting the development of digital or blended training (for operational or customer‑facing roles), including quality assuring learning content and working through iterations with subject matter experts and/or suppliers.

4. Experience of using training data or management information to monitor learner progress/completion and report outcomes, with enough understanding of how an LMS works to provide informed challenge and assurance to suppliers.

5. Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders (including delivery teams, digital/security colleagues and external partners/suppliers), staying effective when requirements change.

Stage 3 - Question

500 word answer to the following question which is aligned to the Lead Essential Criteria (Criterion 1):

Describe your experience of identifying, shaping and delivering training within a learning and development role.
In your answer, use one example that reflects your wider responsibilities rather than a one-off activity, and include how you identified needs, defined requirements, developed solutions and evaluated outcomes.
Experience limited to one-off or isolated training activity will not meet this requirement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Essential Criteria, which you will address through Stage 3 of the process. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.

We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours, and essential skills.

When a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted. Candidates will be invited to interview based on their merit order, with those achieving the highest scores being prioritised. Applicants who score below the adjusted pass mark but still pass will be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.

Stage 4 – Interview

If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours and Technical skill listed in the job advert.

Interviews will be held in person at our Titchfield Office - Segensworth Rd, Titchfield, Fareham PO15 5RR.

A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

Important Dates

The Sift will be conducted - w/c 20th July

Interviews will be conducted - w/c 3rd August

Dates are subject to change.

For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.

Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Sue Stokes
• Email : scs.recruitment@ons.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : scs.recruitment@ons.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission

Attachments

2721 Advert 1B Permanent - ONS National v1-00 Opens in new window (pdf, 83kB)Role4_Census2_Requirements Opens in new window (pdf, 70kB)