Systems Configurator

Job summary

Are you passionate about technology, problem-solving, and improving business processes? Join our team and play a key role in delivering and supporting business-critical systems across Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The newly established Economic Statistics Improvement (ESI) Directorate is responsible for delivering the Economic Statistics Plan and setting the strategic direction for how economic statistics are developed, modernised and enhanced across the UK. Its work is focused on ensuring that economic data continues to meet the needs of government, businesses and the public in an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment.

This role sits within the Development Delivery and Support (DDS) Division, part of the Surveys and Economic Statistics (SES) Group. DDS brings together specialists in change delivery, transformation and continuous improvement, working collaboratively to design, develop and implement solutions that strengthen the production of economic statistics.

As part of this team, you will contribute to high-profile programmes of work, collaborating with a diverse range of experts to deliver meaningful change and help shape the future of economic statistics across the UK. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in modernisation and transformation activity that has a direct impact on the quality, resilience and effectiveness of the UK's statistical system.

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.

The Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) is the largest profession in the Civil Service. ODP’s 200,000+ members work in a wide range of operational delivery roles across government, providing essential services that support and protect UK citizens at home and overseas. They help to make ONS a great place to work.

As a member, ODP supports you by providing learning and development opportunities, career pathways, tools and resources to help develop your skills and progress your career. This is an exciting opportunity to join a modern, innovative and inclusive Civil Service profession that sits at the heart of public service delivery.

Job description

As a Business Systems Configurator Higher Executive Officer (HEO) within the System Support and Configuration Team, you will play a key role in developing, configuring, supporting and maintaining the statistical production systems that underpin the production of the UK's economic statistics.

Acting as a bridge between business users, methodologists, analysts, architects and technical teams, you will help translate business and statistical requirements into effective system solutions. You will support the delivery of system changes, investigate and resolve issues, undertake testing activities, and contribute to the continuous improvement of systems and processes.

You will work primarily with configurable statistical production systems. We are seeking applicants who can demonstrate strong analytical, problem-solving and systems-thinking skills, rather than previous experience of a specific platform.

As ONS continues to modernise its technology landscape, you will collaborate with transformation teams, architects and technical specialists to support the development of new systems and the enhancement of existing services.

The role also involves supporting the implementation of tactical and strategic system changes, working within agreed governance and configuration management processes, and helping ensure statistical production systems remain robust, efficient and fit for purpose.

Working across a variety of systems, services and business areas, you will build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, providing advice, support and guidance on system functionality, business requirements and improvement opportunities. Your contribution will help ensure the continued delivery of high-quality economic statistics that inform decision-making across government and wider society.

This role would suit someone who enjoys problem-solving, systems thinking, stakeholder engagement, business improvement and working with data, technology and operational processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of Economic Statistics production systems, acting as a key link between business users, methodologists and technical teams.
• Configure, maintain and support business-critical statistical systems, including datasets, classifications, mappings, calculations, workflows and validation processes, in line with agreed standards.
• Undertake system configuration, testing and quality assurance to ensure systems remain fit for purpose and changes are implemented successfully.
• Investigate and resolve system, data and processing issues, identifying root causes and using analysis to improve system performance, quality and resilience.
• Translate business and methodological requirements into effective system solutions, supporting the planning and delivery of system changes, upgrades, releases and wider change programmes.
• Manage a broad range of work effectively, balancing operational support, change delivery and continuous improvement while maintaining appropriate documentation, governance and audit trails.
• Work collaboratively across teams, communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and supporting team capability through knowledge sharing, training, coaching and good practice.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• (LEAD) Analysis and problem solving: Can analyse systems, processes and data-related information, investigate issues affecting service performance or delivery, identify root causes, and develop effective and practical solutions.
• Delivering a quality service: Has experience of delivering a good, reliable service and taking responsibility for maintaining quality, addressing issues and meeting customer or user needs.
• Developing and improving systems: Can develop, maintain and review systems and processes, identifying improvements that increase quality, efficiency and provide a better experience for users.
• Communication: Can communicate clearly both verbally and in writing, with experience of explaining technical information in a straightforward way to non-technical colleagues.
• Stakeholder engagement: Can build positive relationships with stakeholders, seek input from the right people and consider different views to support effective delivery of objectives.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

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 and Experience.

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.

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.

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

For full guidance in relation to the use of AI through the recruitment process, please read A candidate’s guide to artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment

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

Application Process

Number of Stages: 2 stage process

Stage 1: Application
Stage 2: Interview

Stage 1 – Application
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, skills, experience, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.

As part of your personal statement, you will need to answer the four questions below. You may use up to 250 words for each response.

Your answers will be assessed as part of the selection process, so we encourage you to provide clear and relevant examples that demonstrate your skills and experience. Where possible, explain the actions you took and the impact or outcome of those actions.

1. (lead) Analysis and problem solving
   In this role you will need good problem solving skills. Tell us about a time you investigated a problem using available information. How did you identify the cause and decide on a practical solution?
2. Delivering a quality service
   In this role you will need to provide a quality service. Tell us about a time you were responsible for delivering a reliable service. How did you maintain quality and respond when issues arose?
3. Developing and improving processes
   In this role you will need to continuously improve systems/processes. Please give an example of when you improved a system or process. What did you change and how did it improve quality, efficiency or user experience?
4. Communication and stakeholder engagement
   In this role you will need to communicate effectively. Tell us about a time you explained technical information to a varied audience. How did you take on feedback and consider different viewpoints?

Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Essential Criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.

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.

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.

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.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.

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 from Thursday 22 October

Interviews will be conducted from W/C Monday 9 November 2026

Dates are subject to change.

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 basic (or equivalent) 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 : Curtis Sanders
• Email : recruitmentoperations@ons.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitmentoperations@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 (2) Opens in new window (pdf, 83kB)Role1_Standard_Requirements (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 76kB)