ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations in Newport, Titchfield (Fareham), Manchester and London and working between office and remote throughout the week.

As part of the hybrid working arrangement there is a 40% minimum office attendance requirement. Attendance is typically at your contractual office, with occasional travel to alternative locations. Due to estates constraints, there are currently temporary exceptions to this for colleagues based at Manchester and Darlington who are required to attend the office for a minimum of 20% of their work time

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UKs largest independent producer of official statistics and is the recognised National Statistical Institute.

The Data Science Campus (DSC) 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, weve built up a strong team and a network of third-party participants in the mission of the Campus and have established a series of impactful projects that provide insight into key policy themes.

The Data Science Campus

A new generation of tools and technologies is being used to make use the growth and availability of new data sources and innovative methods to provide rich informed measurement and analyses on the economy, the global environment and wider society.

The DSC 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 UKs economy and society, the DSC acts as a hub for government to gain practical advantage from the wider investment in modern data, tools, and techniques.

Alongside working closely with internal colleagues and external stakeholders on cross-cutting areas, the work of the DSC is applied to and informs the statistics production and insights that the ONS produces.

The DSC is looking for a new Deputy Director to help lead the next phase of data science capacity building throughout ONS and across government. The Campus is a friendly, diverse and collaborative environment, and this leadership role oversees established data science research 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 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 40 of the Campus staff data scientists, developers, project delivery, lecturers and national programme managers who deliver data science projects and programmes and support the cross-public sector data science community. Our remit stretches beyond improving official statistics and supports better decision making in the UK and internationally.

The Deputy Director is 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.

The Deputy Director 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 international organisations such as the United Nations

For more information, please refer to candidate pack attached.

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 muti-disciplinary 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 successful people, portfolio and delivery management;
• A post-graduate qualification in relevant quantitative discipline or able to demonstrate equivalent professional competency; and
• Excellent communication skills and senior stakeholder engagement skills to identify the value and limitations of data science and AI solutions.

Alongside your salary of £76,000, Office for National Statistics contributes £22,017 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 member of the Business Disability Forum and a Disability Confident Leader were 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.

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.

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

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.

Job contact :

• Name : Osama Rahman
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]