Lead Data Scientist

The role sits at the forefront of identifying, assessing and implementing data science techniques in CCS, including machine learning and artificial intelligence.
The successful candidate will collaborate with various teams across our organisation and other government bodies, to explore;
+ Accurate prediction models, prioritising specific markets within the public sector that need our commercial expertise and support the most
+ Customer churn and spend analytics, deciphering patterns and future trends
+ Future anticipation of societal needs and what products and services are needed to meet those needs
+ Automating and creating efficiency in how colleagues and our customers interact
+ Disseminating knowledge of machine learning, artificial intelligence and other new approaches to data across Data, Insights and Delivery
The successful candidate will be championing state-of-the-art data approaches across CCS, driving an exciting shift towards data-driven decision making, thus accelerating CCS's vision of a data-savvy business model.
Directorate Overview
The DID team is central to making sure that decisions made within CCS are driven by data and insights. As a directorate, we provide reporting and insight support across all areas of CCS, including:
+ supplier research
+ framework analysis
+ internal performance reporting
We are continuing to enhance our performance analytics capabilities and are looking at ways we can gain a deeper understanding of how our users interact with CCS. We are also expanding our data science strengths and exploring new ways to apply emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
We provide analytics across all of the customer and supplier markets where CCS operate, including survey and research support for our commercial and customer engagement colleagues. Our team uses visualisation tools, such as, Power BI to develop and distribute the insights that help CCS succeed.
Team Summary
The role of Lead Data Scientists sits in the AI Impact and Assurance team, reporting to the Head of AI Impact and Assurance. This team sits at the forefront of exploring, assessing and implementing exciting data science techniques at CCS, including machine learning and artificial intelligence., + Lead the technical delivery of data science projects, including analysing data, writing and presenting the output of analyses to technical and non-technical audiences
+ Deploy advanced analysis techniques, such as machine learning, to aid development across the department, including exploring novel datasets
+ Identifying and exploiting opportunities to use machine learning to drive insight and improve decision-making at CCS
+ Improving CCS’s understanding of customer journeys using unstructured data and developing predictive algorithms
+ Produce high quality production code in Python (other languages such as R or SQL might be used as needed)
+ Promote best development practices, including regular code reviews to other team members and identifying opportunities for standardisation and process improvement
+ Work with key stakeholders across CCS to identify where data science can support the organisation and the government commercial agenda more widely
+ Review and understand product capabilities from native AI from existing platform partners and have to exploit, as well as dependencies to make these tools work effectively
+ Building out the data science capability across the department – supporting analysts, thinking about how we can embed data science across all areas of the business and supporting CCS’ goals to be using data in innovative ways, Please note: Applicants can make use of artificial intelligence but the information presented at application must be factual.
A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview. Should you be placed on a reserve list and want to be removed please contact recruitment@crowncommercial.gov.uk.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
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)

+ A degree in data science OR a quantitative subject with professional training and experience in data science
+ Can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a wide range of data science techniques, such as machine learning and natural language processing, and detailed knowledge of at least one specialism
+ Significant experience delivering data science projects as part of a team and experience of shaping and leading analytical projects
+ Strong knowledge of modern machine learning methods and tools, as well as data extraction and manipulation (knowledge of data engineering tools and techniques, such as cloud services is a plus)
+ Substantial ability and experience of coding in Python and/or R
Desirable criteria:
+ Excellent communication skills resulting in the ability to communicate confidently and inclusively about the benefits of data science, specifically AI approaches, so as to inspire curiosity and creativity in others
In the event of a high number of applications, the desirable criteria will be used as a second sift., + Making Effective Decisions
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing

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

CCS is a flexible business with a smarter working model where our colleagues benefit from a mix of home and office working. Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed. Our current office attendance approach requires a minimum of 26 days per quarter (approx 2 days per week, which may be subject to change) in CCS office locations or off site meetings with suppliers, customers, partners, networking / industry events. This is pro rata for those who work part time. Our smarter working principles mean that our people have the advantage of both office and offsite based collaboration and learning, as well as working from home. This way of working allows us to honour our commitment to being a responsible business, offer flexibility and better work life balance as well as ensuring we deliver our business with confidence and in accordance with our CCS values.

Alongside your salary of £57,954, Crown Commercial Service contributes £16,789 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
What we will offer you, here are some of the benefits you can expect:
+ Competitive salary
+ Generous pension scheme
+ A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus
+ Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location
+ Flexi time scheme (available for B1-B6)
+ Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays
Explore fully how we will reward your work.
Want to make a difference? Find out more about the rewarding work that we do in our candidate pack.
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 and the Civil ServiceD&I Strategy.