Data Scientist

This role sits within the Data Analytics Service Team in the Public Sector Fraud Authority. You will be working as a Data Scientist to advance how the government uses data to find fraud within the public sector. You will support the engagement with government agencies in identifying where data analysis could be applied to their business processes to most effectively counter residual fraud risks. You will work closely with a range of stakeholders; helping agencies fully map the data processes underpinning their schemes, identifying the information and analytics gaps that are the root cause of suspected fraud risks, and advising on analysis and products to address fraud. With support and guidance, you will apply data science best practises to build innovative products and present any findings, outputs and recommendations to senior stakeholders. The role will sit within a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, data engineers, delivery managers and business analysts.
Examples of recent projects the team have worked on include; using data analytics to identify fraudulent Covid-19 Bounce Back Loans, using generative AI to help build Fraud Risk Assessments, and using machine learning to identify Phoenixing companies. The team has also been using network analytics to develop and identify high risk networks of companies., The jobholder’s key responsibilities will be to:
+ Conduct analysis using a range of complex data sources related to fraud and economic crime.
+ Perform analysis in Python and SQL, including machine learning.
+ Build and develop on our Quantexa network analytics capability using Scala and PySpark including developing predictive models and building scorecards.
+ Communicate analysis clearly and in an engaging manner to non-technical audiences, drawing out the key messages.
+ Present findings, outputs and recommendations to stakeholders, managing sensitivities in the results and maintaining good relationships with these stakeholders to facilitate future work.
+ Develop and improve interactive dashboarding and setting the direction for current and future reporting using tools such as PowerBI.
+ Explore and describe data using a variety of tools and be able to present them to wider audiences without data backgrounds.
+ Work effectively with a range of stakeholders, within and outside of Government, on collaborative projects and to promote the work of the team.
+ Maintain your own professional development and build a strong supportive and inclusive culture across the team., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Seeing the Big Picture, As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500 word Statement of Suitability and the following behaviour -
+ Seeing the Big Picture
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Selection process
If you are successful in the application process you will be asked to interview. Interviews will be conducted remotely and candidates will be assessed against the process below -
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the interview process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Changing and Improving
Technical
We'll assess your technical ability during the interview process with:
+ Data Science - Experience
+ Data Science - Presentation, 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.
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 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.

+ Degree / Masters in computer science, maths, statistics, economics or related disciplines or professional experience in a data science team.
+ Programming experience in SQL and a coding language (preferably Python) covering data manipulation, job automation and analysis.
+ Understanding of machine learning tools/packages and the typical machine learning development process.
+ Understanding of project delivery methodologies - preferably agile and scrum working.
+ Understanding of version control tools and best practices.
It will be beneficial for applicants to have:
+ Experience using cloud computing services such as Azure or AWS.
+ Experience with Spark (Scala and Python).
+ Experience with using network analytics software and configuration of fraud detection tools and/or analytics platforms.
+ Experience with model explainability and consideration of ethical outcomes of machine learning models., Degree / Masters in computer science, maths, statistics, economics or related disciplines or professional experience in a data science team

Alongside your salary of £42,382, Cabinet Office contributes £12,278 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.