At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.
Our Inclusive Environment
We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
Find Out More
We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm.
Job overview
Building Digital UK (BDUK) is helping to bring fast and reliable broadband and mobile coverage to hard-to-reach places across the UK - transforming people’s lives and driving economic growth. The Operational Analysis and Statistics team sits at the heart of BDUK’s delivery of Project Gigabit – the government’s programme to roll out fast, reliable digital connectivity across the UK.
We are a multidisciplinary analytical team, bringing together statisticians, operational researchers, geospatial analysts and data specialists. We provide the analysis, data and insight that underpin BDUK’s major delivery decisions – from designing contracts and assessing supplier proposals, to tracking delivery and reporting progress.
The team plays a key role in:
- supporting operational decision making – including contract design, affordability assessments and delivery assurance.
- producing BDUK’s official statistics and management information, ensuring high standards and transparency.
- developing and maintaining business critical models, tools and datasets that inform how and where interventions are delivered.
- providing clear, actionable insight through an ‘observatory’ approach – turning complex data into evidence for senior leaders and ministers.
- supporting BDUK's external engagement through providing data and tailored analysis for FOIs, PQs, press releases.
We work closely with colleagues across BDUK – including delivery, commercial and finance teams – as well as wider DSIT analytical teams. Our work directly shapes investment decisions worth billions of pounds and supports the government’s ambition to reach nationwide gigabit coverage.
As a team, we combine fast paced operational support with longer term improvement – continuously strengthening our data, tools and analytical methods to improve how government delivers large scale infrastructure programmes.
Person specification
Key Responsibilities
- Set strategic direction for two Grade 7-led multidisciplinary teams (GES, GORS, GSG, Geography) spanning statistics, data intelligence and geospatial analysis.
- Contribute to the BDUK and Digital Infrastructure Analysis Senior Management Team, driving innovation, efficiency, and continuous professional development across the analyst community.
- Run an operational place-based analytical service that is responsible for managing the detailed scope of BDUK's flagship Project Gigabit programme and supporting the delivery of a >£1bn+ pipeline of procurements and contract changes required for nationwide coverage.
- Drive continuous improvement in the underpinning data, tools and processes, including the implementation of automated assurance of our interventions.
- Oversee and drive forward the production of BDUK’s official statistics and management information, ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics and supporting high-quality decision-making, ministerial briefings and responses to parliamentary question.
- Provide an ‘observatory’ function, supporting the team in surfacing information from our large analytical platform effectively and delivering clear, actionable insights to our customers to inform business decisions.
- Understand the market's commercial build plans to inform economic modelling, forecasting and evaluation As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.
Essential Criteria
- Membership of the GSG, GORS, GES, GSR or suitable qualifications to join one of the analytical professions on appointment
- Proven leadership in complex environments, comfortable working in a high-pressure, fast-moving environment with the ability to set direction, manage ambiguity, and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering both business-as-usual services and improvement initiatives.
- Experience of overseeing complex analysis developed at pace in a coding environment using large datasets, automated pipelines, and version control (git, dataform)
- Good knowledge of the Code of Practice for Statistics and its practical application
- Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and deliver strategic outcomes
- Experience applying proportionate analysis and quality assurance, particularly in analytical modelling.
The role is reserved for badged Government analytical professions: Government Statistician Group (GSG), Government Economic Service (GES), Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Operational Research Service (GORS).
Candidates who are not members must be eligible and willing to take the tests to become a member. Those wishing to apply to either the Government Statistician Group or Government Social Research Service will need to sit online tests as part of the application process.
Memberships
You must be a full member of one of the following analytical professions: Government Social Research Service (GSR), Government Statistician Group (GSG), Government Economics Service (GES) or Government Operational Research Service (GORS).
OR You must be able to demonstrate that a) you satisfy the eligibility criteria and b) have the competence, at the required grade for one of the analytical professions.
Please provide this evidence as part of your CV. Eligibility requirements of the analytical professions can be found here:
GES: To apply for full and associate GES membership, you must:
- have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics.
- have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics.
GSG: 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 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)
Or you can apply if you have achieved a Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship or have achieved a Level 4 Data Analytics apprenticeship and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development via a logbook that has been signed off by an existing member of the GSG profession in the role of manager or mentor, covering 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government
Or you can 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.
GSR:
- For qualification route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2. The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one-third of modules taken in the course).
- For professional experience route, must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent, plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team.
GORS:
- You must have, or expect to have, a 2:1 or higher degree or degree apprenticeship in a highly numerate degree subject; or you must have, or expect to have, a 2:2 or higher degree and a highly numerate postgraduate degree.
Professional competency frameworks can be found here: Government Operational Research Service; Government Statistician Group; Government Social Research Service; Government Economic Service.
More Information: You can find more information and descriptions of the Civil Service Behaviours here.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analysis of data (GES), Data analysis (GSG), Technical skills (GSR), Knowledge and application (GORS). Candidates will be assessed against the technical/competency framework for the analytical profession they are a member of (or are applying for).
- Effective Communication (GES), Presenting and disseminating data effectively (GSG), Using and promoting social research (GSR), Achieving impact with analysis (GORS).
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £69,675, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,184 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
- Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
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.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline how you meet the skills and experience requirements for the role. You must also state which one of the four government analytical professions you are applying for or are already a member of as part of the statement.
Applications will be sifted on technical skills, CV, and personal statement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the CV only.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour and technical questions
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information
Reasonable Adjustments
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Candidates who meet the minimum benchmark may be placed on a Reserve List for consideration for similar roles, including those at a lower grade. Candidates who narrowly miss the benchmark and are not placed on the Reserve List may still be considered for an offer in a similar role at a lower grade.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences.
This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
Feedback
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 counter-terrorist 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 the Civil 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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
Recruitment team
Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.
Attachments
DSIT T&Cs v1.2 - Opens in new window (docx, 179kB)
