Principal Analytical Data Scientist

About OPSS
Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!
We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact.
Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.
Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, most recently with the addition of construction products regulation planned.
Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence
Further information can be found on our website here
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.
Become part of a Bigger Picture
The Data Analysis and Evidence Strategy Team is embedded within a vast Research and Analysis group, boasting 45 professionals and counting across various analytical disciplines. Our Deputy Director even leads the Social Research profession as Head of Profession!
Now is an exciting time to get involved and join a rapidly growing team to help craft our thinking around using data to develop new insights into product safety. We have a strong commitment to learning and development and are not afraid to try new and innovative approaches., Are you ready to make a tangible impact on public safety?
We are seeking a skilled Data Science Lead to join our dynamic team and help shape the future of product safety in the UK. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your analytical expertise and drive positive change.
Your Role
You will be leading the charge in utilising data science to pinpoint and mitigate product safety hazards. Your role will involve spearheading pilot projects to determine the most valuable applications of data science within the organisation, then scaling successful initiatives into full production.
Your efforts will be instrumental in informing policy and safeguarding consumers, as you collaborate with teams across OPSS to uncover ways to employ data science techniques for generating insights, enhancing procedures, and detecting product safety risks.
+ Identifying and Seizing Data Science Opportunities: Proactively search for and identify data science projects that can significantly improve OPSS's operations.
+ Leading Data Science Projects with Precision take the reins on data science projects, from initial conception to successful implementation.
+ Resolve complex data challenges with finesse, including analysing messy and free-text data and building models to uncover hidden patterns.
+ Streamline processes involving data comprehension, boosting efficiency and accuracy.
+ Masterfully manage project tasks: allocate resources strategically, and forge strong connections with internal and external stakeholders.
+ Co-Leading the Data Science Team: Jointly lead with another Data Scientist, supervising two data scientists and delegating tasks for your projects
+ Ensuring Quality and Excellence in Your Team's Work: maintain the highest standards by implementing rigorous quality assurance measures and championing coding best practices.
+ Disseminating Insights with Impact: Share your team's findings throughout the organisation to foster positive change
+ Present Analysis to senior leaders with clarity and conviction, develop informative dashboards, and empower the organisation to understand the transformative power of data science and AI.
+ Staying Ahead of the Curve: Stay informed about the latest developments in your field by actively engaging and networking with analysts across DBT and beyond.
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you're a talented data scientist who's passionate about making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply. Let's work together to create a safer future., GORS skills will be assessed at the interview please refer to: http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/competencies/ and https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/careers/role-profiles-and-career-pathways/role-profile-operational-researcher/
GSR Badging:
In advance of the interview, if you are not an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, you will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written “knowledge test”. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MS Teams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge of social research and statistical methods.
All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GSR profession set out in the GSR framework – a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
Government Social Research (GSR) Technical Expertise Framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
GES Badging:
Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Economist at the grade applied for or be an existing member of the Government Economic Service. Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the Government Economic Service (GES). Details can be found in the GES Framework. These will be assessed during the selection process, including at both sift of your written application and interview. Applicants who are civil servants but not members of the GES and anyone applying from outside government must be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of the GES, as successful appointment will include membership of the GES.
For applicants applying after more than a couple of years after university, who are not an existing member of the Government Economic Service relevant experience consists of experience working on economic analysis or research including for example in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team.
To enter the GES through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your economic experience and skills covering the three components of the GES technical framework., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Technical Questions- Please refer to the selection process details below for further information relating to the technical questions you will be assessed against for each frame work
+ Technical Questions- Please refer to the selection process details below for further information relating to the technical questions you will be assessed against for each frame work
+ Technical Questions- Please refer to the selection process details below for further information relating to the technical questions you will be assessed against for each frame work
+ Data Science Presentation- Please refer to the selection process details below for further information relating to the technical questions you will be assessed against for each frame work, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
+ A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience match the requirements of the role detailed in the bullet points regarding role responsibilities and the person specification sections of the job description.
+ A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, and any qualifications. The CV should be no more than 2 A4 pages.
+ Non- badged GSG candidates will be required to complete an online statistical test. The test that will be sent shortly after the advert closes. You will have 48 hours to complete the test. If you do not meet the pass mark your application will not progress to sift.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
Candidate successfully selected for interview will be tested on your behaviours and technical skills at interview, you will also be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation at interview. Details will be provided to successful candidates.
We will assess you against these behaviours at the interview:
+ Leadership
+ Changing and improving
+ Delivering at pace
Please refer to the civil service success profiles: Success Profile: Behaviours
After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
Technical competency – Data Science and Analytical Skills
All candidates will need to demonstrate strong data science skills for this role and will be asked to prepare a short presentation. The interview will also cover aspects of the “Principal or Senior Data Scientist” role profile in the Capability Framework https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/careers/role-profiles-and-career-pathways/role-profile-data-scientist/
In order to assess analytical professional skills at the interview we will assess candidates technical skills from the relevant professional frameworks:
Existing and prospective GSG candidates will be tested on
+ Data Analysis
+ Presenting and disseminating data effectively
+ Acquiring data and understanding customer needs
Please refer to: https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/. If not already a member of the GSG profession your presentation will be assessed according to the GSG competency framework.
Existing and prospective GES candidates will be tested on:
+ Data Analysis
+ Effective communication
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
Existing and prospective GORS candidates will be tested on:
+ Knowledge and application of operational skills and techniques
+ Achieving impact with analysis
Please refer to: http://www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment/competencies/ and https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/careers/role-profiles-and-career-pathways/role-profile-operational-researcher/ If not already a member of the GORS profession your presentation will be assessed according to the GORS competency framework.
Existing and prospective GSR candidates:
In the interview, we will also assess your technical social research and data science skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared title, which will be given to you in advance, for up to 10 minutes. An additional technical question will also be asked as part of the interview.
All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GSR profession set out in the GSR framework – a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
Government Social Research (GSR) Technical Expertise Framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
+ A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
+ Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
+ The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
+ New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
+ 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. Any applicant who has 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.
+ Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
+ Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
+ This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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.

If you're passionate about using data to protect people and places and want to be part of our dynamic team, we're looking for someone with the following skills:
+ Natural Curiosity: An unwavering commitment to broaden both personal and communal data science understanding.
+ Technical Proficiency: Expertise in using data science techniques and using coding languages such as R or Python.
+ Data Mastery: Proficient in the extraction, cleansing, processing, visualization, and analysis of data.
+ Leadership Skills: demonstrated leadership in guiding a team to deliver successful analytical coding projects and solutions.
+ Communication: An aptitude for communicating analytical insights to a varied audience of both technical and non-technical backgrounds.
+ A membership, or eligibility to join any of the following professions; Government Operational Research Service, Government Statistics Service, Government Social Research Service, or Government Economic Service. If you are not a member of any of the professions listed above, we will facilitate your gaining membership as part of the recruitment process.
We seek candidates whose experience aligns with the previously listed responsibilities. We are committed to promoting diversity and do not expect any applicant to have experience with every listed responsibility., + A first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or IT equivalent which demonstrates core statistical skills, or;
+ A higher degree, e.g., an MSc or PhD, in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics (this is not a definitive list), or;
+ Have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a log book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (level five)
Government Economic Service (GES)
+ 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.
+ You must have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics.
Government Operational Research Service (GORS)
+ You must possess a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification.
+ Highly numerate degrees include: Astrophysics, Data Science, Decision Science, Econometrics, Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physics and Statistics.
+ Other numerate degrees, such as Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Geography, IT, Management, Management Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences and Systems Science, may be accepted if 50% or more of the modules are considered highly numerate.
Government Social Research (GSR)
+ 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 on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research, or;
+ Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g., an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), 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. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.
Professional Membership- Badging exercises
you must be a current badged member of one of the above professions, or eligible and willing to become a badged member by completing tests and other assessment methods as part of the selection process:
GSG Badging:
Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) will be required to do an online statistical test and a dissemination exercise as part of the application process to join the GSG.
Once you have submitted your application and the application has closed, you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete the GSS online multiple-choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed within 48 hours for you to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered., Candidates must be a badged member of GSG, GORS, GES or GSR or willing to undergo a test to become a badged member of one of these professions.

Alongside your salary of £53,560, Department for Business and Trade contributes £15,516 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Thrive in and out of the office: We prioritise your well-being and offer a robust benefits package to support your work-life balance. Here's what you can expect:
+ Flexible Working: Craft your workday with flexible working arrangements and flexi-time options (subject to role requirements).
+ Generous Leave: Enjoy a healthy vacation balance with 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 after 5 years. Plus, 8 public holidays and a privilege day for additional time off.
+ Family-Friendly Policies: Access competitive maternity, paternity, and parental leave.
+ Reward and Recognition: See your hard work acknowledged with our in-year reward and recognition scheme, celebrating achievements and contributions.
+ Learn & Grow: Invest in yourself with 5 paid days dedicated to your learning and development to support your continued professional development.
+ Inclusive Community: Connect with colleagues from diverse backgrounds through our thriving staff networks, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
+ Healthy You: Stay active with our Cycle to Work scheme.
+ Wellbeing Support: Maintain your mental and emotional well-being through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Workplace Wellness services.
+ Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy savings on your everyday spending with our employee discount scheme, offering perks at high street shops, restaurants, and online retailers.
+ Secure Your Future: Build a secure future with a Civil Service Pension scheme boasting an average employer contribution of 27%.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.