Deputy Director, Central Data Science and AI

Job summary

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration. ​

Central Data Science and AI (CDS-AI) is part of Strategic Innovation and Analysis Directorate and applies data science, and builds skills, for public good across the UK and internationally. Our role is to apply data science and AI in impactful ways to improve statistics, the operations of the Office for National Statistics, and wider public sector (domestic and international) decision-making. Established within the ONS in 2017, we’ve built up a strong team and a network of third-party participants in the mission of the CDS-AI and have established a series of impactful projects that improve the quality of our statistical production and provides insight into key policy themes.

The CDS-AI is an internationally renowned centre of excellence with an international reputation in leading the data science and AI agenda, particularly as it applies to National Statistical Organisations such as the ONS. As well as supporting ONS to apply new techniques to understand the UK’s economy and society, the CDS-AI acts as a hub for government to gain practical advantage from the wider investment in data science research. Alongside working closely with internal colleagues and external stakeholders on cross-cutting areas, the work of the CDS-AI is applied to and informs the statistics production and insights that the ONS produces.

Job description

CDS-AI is looking for a new Deputy Director to help lead the next phase of data science capacity building throughout ONS and across government. CDS-AI and SIA is a friendly, diverse and collaborative environment, and this leadership role oversees established applied data science and programme teams situated across our four UK hubs.

You will be passionate about using state of the art data science methods and a myriad of data sources available for public good. This post will give you the opportunity to improve the quality of ONS’s statistical production and inform vital public policy responses to cross-cutting and topical issues in the UK and internationally, working across multiple domains. You will be responsible for over 80 CDS-AI staff – data scientists, developers, project delivery, and programme managers who deliver data science projects and programmes. Our remit stretches beyond improving official statistics and supports better decision making in the UK and internationally.

In this role you will be responsible for a broad programme of multidisciplinary data science projects and programmes, and for managing resources to ensure effective delivery. Our programmes seek to apply of data science and AI within the domestic and international public sector, providing faster and more meaningful analysis, enabling more effective decision making, and delivering significant impact on a national and international scale. Above all else, these projects are undertaken with integrity and trustworthiness, and underpinned by adherence to a rigorous ethical framework.

You will also lead the Data Science International team that develops and delivers a range of programmes to support the use of data science and AI in a range of countries and also international organisations such as the United Nations and also the Statistical Insights and Analysis Hub which delivers analysis to support ONS’s priorities, and works with the Joint Data Analysis Centre (JDAC) to leverage ONS knowledge and experience to provide deeper insight about the economy and population to support Cabinet Office priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be a proactive member of the Senior Leadership Team that leads the CDS-AI and Strategic Innovation and Analysis Directorate;
• Provide inclusive leadership to a multi-disciplinary data-science division, with four Grade 6s reporting into you, leading them in identifying areas in which to do impactful applied data science and AI work, and ensuring delivery of that work, with robust quality assurance and rigorous adherence to ethical standards;
• Lead your division in developing strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills to enable your division to prioritise resources against the most important and potentially impactful needs;
• Focusing the work of your team on improving the quality of our statistics production by building modern statistical pipelines, making use of cloud technology as part of delivering on the plan for ONS economic statistics and the ONS Survey Improvement and Enhancement Plan for Economic Statistics both of which were published in 2025. This will also include examining and developing AI based apps to safely integrate into statistical production workflows to improve quality and deliver efficiencies;
• Leading on ONS’s relationship with Cabinet Office in terms of the Joint Data and Analysis Centre (JDAC) where “Joint” is joint between ONS and Cabinet Office, leading the Analytical Hub which works closely with Cabinet Office data scientists and analysts on key Cabinet Office issues;
• Lead the CDS-AI work with the international community, working with colleagues in the ONS’s International Relation and International Development Teams and with colleagues in FCDO to develop and deliver a coherent portfolio of international work;
• Ensure proper project management and budgetary responsibility;
• Play a visible leadership role in the wider public sector data science community, working closely with the Government Analysis and Government Digital and Data Functions as needed;
• Be a proactive member of the Senior Civil Service, working closely with colleagues in ONS and across Government.

For more information, please refer to candidate pack attached.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Candidates are expected to evidence these criteria within their CV and Personal Statement:

• Experience of shaping strategy, policy, and operations, working with a diverse set of internal and external senior stakeholders from problem-definition to delivery;
• A broad knowledge of the data science and AI landscape and the use and application of data science and AI within Government and other sectors;
• Experience providing inclusive leadership to lead and develop a high-performing multi-disciplinary technically strong division with a track record of creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement and delivering impactful applied data science and AI work;
• Experience of cross-organisation working to take innovative prototypes and proofs of concept to full implementation into business systems;
• Experience of successful portfolio and delivery management;
• A post-graduate qualification in relevant quantitative discipline or able to demonstrate equivalent professional competency;
• Excellent communication skills and senior stakeholder engagement skills to identify the value and limitations of data science and AI solutions.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Office for National Statistics contributes £23,465 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 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

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.

If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.

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

Selection Process

Applications should consist of your CV and Personal Statementcombined as one document and uploaded as a single attachment through Civil Service Jobs.​

A Curriculum Vitae of no more than 2 pages of A4 consisting of:​

• Details of your education and/or professional qualifications.​

• Full employment history, giving details (where applicable) of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant key achievements in recent posts.​

• Details of your latest remuneration.​

A personal statement detailing in no more than 2 pages of A4 how you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification. We recommend that you give clear examples for each describing your own contribution and the impact and value of your actions. ​

Applications will be acknowledged shortly after receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within one week of applying for the post, please contact our SCS Recruitment Team at: SCS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk​

Further information on the assessment approach for this role can be found in the candidate pack.

Expected Recruitment Timetable

Shortlisting meeting: Monday 9th March

Employee Engagement Exercise (EEE) - Monday 16th March

Stakeholder Conversations - Tuesday 17th March

Interviews - Monday 23rd March - Held in person at our London Office - 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF

Dates are subject to change.

Full terms and conditions are attached at the bottom of this advert

If you meet the required standard but the recruiting department is unable to offer you the job, you may be given the option of being added to a reserve list. Reserve lists may be shared with other Civil Service departments and professions who are recruiting for similar roles.

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.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

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

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 : Osama Rahman
• 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 1A Permanent - ONS London Inclusive v1-00 Opens in new window (pdf, 83kB)Deputy_Director_Central_Data_Science_and_AI_SCS_Candidate_Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 925kB)