Data Analyst

Job summary

Here at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), we have unrivalled access to a vast breadth and depth of data. Every day, we use this to produce trusted statistics and insightful analysis that informs both the public and policymakers on the issues that matter most.

Our work spans the production of essential economic statistics and the analysis that brings them to life to support decision makers and help people understand the UK economy. Our key focus is producing high quality, relevant and timely core statistics: gross domestic product, inflation, public sector finances, labour market statistics, trade and the balance of payments. We're also expanding our use of administrative data, while transforming our surveys and moving off legacy statistical systems.

Following the recent independent review of ONS by Sir Robert Devereux, we’ve launched our Economic Statistics Plan (ESP)—a bold response to restore quality and confidence in our economic statistics. The plan outlines how we assess the quality of our core outputs, the steps we’re taking to address risks and challenges, and the foundations we’re laying for the future. These changes will help us build a more resilient statistical system that supports confident decision-making and a clearer understanding of UK society.

Delivering the ESP successfully requires a collective effort. As part of that, ONS is recruiting a number of Data Analysts to help us understand, manipulate, and accurately analyse data—providing insight that informs both internal and external audiences. You will play a key role in delivering the Plan, and in developing our people, building good working relationships across the organisation and making ONS a great place to work.

We’re particularly interested to hear from applicants with experience with economic data sources, such as business surveys; or a background in economics, finance, or accountancy.

Job description

Data analysts collect, organise and study data to provide business and operational insight. They work across a broad range of areas and topics.

Data analysts understand, manipulate and accurately analyse data to provide insight about a topic for internal and external audiences. They make complex topics easier for everyone to understand, including non-specialist audiences.

Key Responsibilities of Data Analysts include:

• manage, clean, abstract and aggregate data alongside a range of analytical studies on that data
• identify, collect and migrate data to and from a range of systems
• manipulate and link different data sets
• help with data quality checking and cleaning
• use tools and techniques for data analysis, data visualisation and provision of business insight
• present data and conclusions logically and concisely in the most appropriate format, while following the Analysis Function standards
• summarise and present the results of data analysis to a range of customers — this includes making recommendations for how to use the data
• interpret and apply relevant data information security standards, policies and procedures to data
• perform routine statistical analysis and answer queries, which may include the production of reports
• use a range of analytical techniques such as data mining, time series, forecasting and modelling techniques to identify and predict trends in data
• work with data architecture
• use coding and programming skills for data and analytics

Please note we will not be badging to an analytical profession as part of this campaign. However, there are regular opportunities for staff to apply for badging with the relevant government analytical profession upon joining ONS.

Person specification

Essential Criteria -

• Data Analysis (Lead Criterion): Ability to interpret and work with diverse data sets, identifying trends, resolving issues, and using programming tools to analyse and assure data quality.
• Effective Communication: Ability to identify and clearly communicate trends, insights, and anomalies in data to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Demonstrable ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders, building strong working relationships to support shared objectives.

Qualifications

We welcome applications from individuals who satisfy the essential criteria and are a member of, or eligible to join, one of eligibility for the government analytical professions as listed below :

- Government Economic Service (GES),
- Government Statistical Service (GSS),
- Government Operational Research Service (GORS), or
- Government Social Research (GSR).

To achieve this, candidates need to hold at least;

- A 2.2 degree in economics OR
- A 2.2 in a social science related subject with sufficient research OR
- A 2:2 in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content OR
- 2 years relevant work experience

Please note - All candidates are expected to ensure they meet the entry requirements. Failure to demonstrate how you meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Data Quality - Understands and can explain statistical / research methods and the differences between sources, such as concepts or different data sets. Is able to design and choose best methods for data collection.
• Analysis Approach - Utilises analytical tools to analyse data for trends and gaps, applying approved techniques to create coherent series’ and data modelling
• Presentation / Dissemination - Communicates in a straightforward and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding.

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.

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 (bottom of page) 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.

Security Clearance

For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception 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.

At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:

• 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

Visa Sponsorship

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 both UK right to work and security clearance requirements (where applicable).

If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance 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: 3

• Stage 1: Eligibility criteria check and pre-sift of lead criteria
• Stage 2: Full application sift
• Stage 3: Interview

Stage 1 – Eligibility criteria check and pre-sift

A pre-sift will be conducted on eligibility criteria (qualifications). Where it's not clear that your application demonstrates sufficient qualifications/experience (via your CV) your application will be rejected. Following this, a pre-sift of the lead criteria - Analysis of Data will be conducted. You will have 500 words to demonstrate your experience. As this criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Examples that do not meet the minimum standard will not proceed to full sift stage.

Stage 2 - Full application Sift

The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your responses to application questions 2 and 3. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role. You will have 500 words per question to demonstrate your experience. As this criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Examples that do not meet the minimum standard will not proceed to full sift stage.

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

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 2 – Interview

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

You will be required to provide a 5 minute presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed the initial online application stage, 1 week prior to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the Technical Skills listed.

Interviews will be held or via Microsoft Teams.

Our main locations are Newport (South Wales), Titchfield and Darlington and Manchester.

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

The Sift will be conducted from 1st June

Interviews will be conducted from 22nd June

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

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.

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

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 : ONS Analytical Resourcing
• Email : ons.analytical.resourcing@ons.gov.uk
• Telephone : ons.analytical.resourcing@ons.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : ons.analytical.resourcing@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)