Senior Statistical Officer

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..

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.

We are seeking to recruit people with the relevant analytical skills to support us in this. This campaign is to fill current vacant posts.

At ONS we are creative about the way we work to deliver brilliant and sustainable outcomes and as we collaborate, we approach working together with positivity and trust, investing in building excellent and inclusive working relationships across the organisation.

Joining the ONS as a government statistician you will a member of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) and have the opportunity to work on high profile analysis and research, in roles that really make a difference.

You will also be part of the Government Statistical Service (GSS). A cross-government network led by the National Statistician, the GSS works to provide advice, analysis and a statistical evidence base to help people make better decisions.

Job description

The role will require you to apply your statistical skills to innovate and solve problems in data management and analysis. You will be using a range of software packages and analytical techniques, and will be able to explain and communicate your findings to a varied audience.

Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about us, we hope that the candidate pack attached (bottom of page) will give you a great insight into the GSS and what it means to work as a statistician in ONS.

Key responsibilities

You will work on projects which will require you to;

• deliver high quality statistical advice and analysis to inform debate and influence decision making
• use a range of software packages and analytical techniques
• work proactively with customers to identify their requirements, share knowledge and information
• use innovative techniques to acquire new data sources
• be responsible for statistical production and solve problems in data management and analysis
• you may also manage junior grades including non-analysts

Person specification

As a senior statistician we will be looking for your skills and experience in the following essential areas;

• Proven leadership capability and experience to overcome challenges alongside managing a team and prioritising tasks in line with organisational aspirations
• Demonstrable analytical experience, including the practical application of analysis or research with an in depth knowledge of data sources
• Experience of managing the delivery of complex projects and delivering quality outcomes to meet customer demands
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex analysis to non-specialists and contribute effectively to discussions with officials and external stakeholders
• Ability to deliver quality analysis to tight deadlines, using forward planning to identify risks and issues

Qualifications

This campaign is to fill current vacant posts, therefore apply only if you have already completed your degree and passed at the required level.

To be eligible for this role you should have:

• Already hold a first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography,).
OR
• Already hold a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography).

Experience route

Alternatively you could apply if you:
• have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of two years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively
• Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs
• Data Analysis

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,644, Office for National Statistics contributes £12,643 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.

We are committed to supporting our people’s wellbeing by offering flexible ways of working that support a healthy work life balance. We are happy to explore opportunities with you about working flexibly in line with our hybrid working policies.

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. 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

Application Process

Number of Stages: 2 Stage Process

Stage 1: Application and GSS Online Test

To start your application please complete the CV section and personal statement. Your CV section should cover details of education and professional qualifications, employment history and relevant skills and experience. Please ensure you reflect on the requirements in the person specification, and where you have relevant experience include this.

Your personal statement should be no longer than 1250 words. You should use this space fully to provide evidence for each part of the Person Specification. As the criteria are scored, we would recommend that you give clear examples for each including the impact of your actions.

Important - Please make sure that you fully complete the qualifications section in the application form. Applications submitted without details of degree studied, grades and credits (including predicted) will be discounted.

Once you have submitted your application you will be invited via email to complete the GSS online multiple choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by midday on the closing date 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.

Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting the GSS online test. To prevent your application being rejected please ensure you email your membership number or details to GSS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk as soon as you submit an application to notify us. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.

Stage 2 - Interview

Should you be invited to interview, you will be assessed using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, which will include assessment of the Behaviours and GSG Technical Competencies in this advert.

Please note:

• we do not refund travel or subsistence for candidates attending interviews.
• some roles may require a higher level security check.
• feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Important Dates

Sifting will take place from W/C 2nd March 2026

Interviews will be held from W/C 16th and 23rd March 2026

In instances where a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted or raised. 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.

A reserve list may be held for period of up to 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Candidates should note this is a multi-location campaign and therefore the reserve list is recorded by location in merit order.

If you are applying on a Student/Graduate Visa this will need to be valid for at least 18 months.

Prior to the assessment process, candidates will be sent an eligibility form to complete and return to us. Further information will be provided at the time.

Applications from candidates who do not meet the eligibility criteria as set out in our advert may not be progressed.

We welcome applications from Welsh speakers. If you would like to know more please contact us.

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

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 : GSS Recruitment
• Email : GSS.Recruitment@ONS.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : GSS.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

ONS GSS SStO Candidate Pack.V5 Opens in new window (pdf, 787kB)GSS_Online_Test_Guidance_and_Practice_Pack_2022 Opens in new window (pdf, 258kB)Terms & Conditions for Permanent and Fixed Term Roles (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 90kB)GSG-competency-framework-2021 Opens in new window (pdf, 109kB)