Office for National Statistics

Data Analyst

Location
Darlington, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
1/6/2025
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Description
Location

ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations in Newport, Titchfield (Fareham), Manchester, or Darlington 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.

About The Job

Job summary

Do you have a passion for statistics and research? Do you want to help inform the public on the big issues of the moment? There has never been a more interesting or important time to work with data, statistics and research across Government.

Here at the Office for National Statistics we have unrivalled access to a breadth and depth of data, that we use daily to provide statistics, analysis and insight for the public and policy makers. Our work is broader than producing regular core statistics, we are increasingly working on cross-cutting analytical issues, in partnership with Central Government Departments, Devolved Administrations, Local Authorities and often with the help of academics, charities and expert advisers. We are increasingly making use of more and more administrative data from both within and beyond Government, alongside transforming our existing surveys to ensure they capture the most relevant data and information.

The work the ONS has produced just over the last year has provided a trusted and unique insight into health, population, migration, inflation, the economy, household finances and more. It has led to our profile and trust increasing both across Government and within society. At ONS we are creative about the way we work to deliver brilliant and sustainable outcomes and as we collaborate, we approach working together with positivity and trust, investing in building excellent and inclusive working relationships across the organisation.

Job Description

Data analysts collect, organise and study data to provide business and operational insight. They work across a broad range of areas and topics.

Data analysts understand, manipulate and accurately analyse data to provide insight about a topic for internal and external audiences. They make complex topics easier for everyone to understand, including non-specialist audiences.

Key Responsibilities of Data analysts:

  • manage, clean, abstract and aggregate data alongside a range of analytical studies on that data
  • identify, collect and migrate data to and from a range of systems
  • manipulate and link different data sets
  • help with data quality checking and cleaning
  • use tools and techniques for data analysis, data visualisation and provision of business insight
  • present data and conclusions logically and concisely in the most appropriate format, while following the Analysis Function standards
  • summarise and present the results of data analysis to a range of customers — this includes making recommendations for how to use the data
  • interpret and apply relevant data information security standards, policies and procedures to data
  • perform routine statistical analysis and answer queries, which may include the production of reports
  • use a range of analytical techniques such as data mining, time series, forecasting and modelling techniques to identify and predict trends in data
  • work with data architecture
  • use coding and programming skills for data and analytics


Please note we will not be badging to an analytical profession as part of this campaign.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

  • Able to act independently in the application of specialist knowledge to arrive at evidenced conclusions, options or recommendations.
  • Proficient in utilising analytical skills and software to analyse data and develop comprehensive results and recommendations from data to support decision making.
  • Able to identify the right data sources, validate them, and understand how to interpret the results and ensure the data is fit for purpose.
  • Good Communication skills and is confident in analysing, interpreting and presenting data in a clear and compelling way to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders across projects to ensure a quality outcomes.


Qualifications

We welcome applications from individuals who satisfy the essential criteria and eligibility for the professions as listed in the attachment below.

Candidates need to hold at least;

  • A 2.1 degree in economics OR
  • A 2.1 in a social science related subject with sufficient research OR
  • A 2:2 in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content.


All candidates are expected to ensure they meet the entry requirements. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace


Technical Skills

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

  • Data Quality - Understands and can explain statistical / research methods and the differences between sources, such as concepts or different data sets. Is able to design and choose best methods for data collection.
  • Analysis Approach - Utilises analytical tools to analyse data for trends and gaps, applying approved techniques to create coherent series’ and data modelling
  • Presentation / Dissemination - Communicates in a straightforward and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding.


Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,075, Office for National Statistics contributes £9,871 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 Disability Confident Leader we’re 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.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.

If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.

At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:

  • Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
  • UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
  • Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
  • Security Services records


All applicants will have access to AI resources, it is therefore important to remember these tools, although helpful in streamlining the writing process, cannot fully understand the organisational context, or requirements for the role you are applying for.

To maintain authenticity and credibility of the application process, should you choose to use generative AI tools, you need to ensure the information you provide in your supporting evidence accurately reflects your skills, knowledge, and experience.

ONS does not advocate relying solely on generative AI to write your application. Doing so may negatively impact your chances of success during the selection process.

If you are invited to interview, please be aware the use of AI tools is prohibited and any suspected use may result in the termination of your interview and subsequent withdrawal from the campaign.

Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.

Application Process

Number of Stages: 2 stage process

Stage 1: Application

Stage 2: Interview

Stage 1 – Application

The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, skills, experience, CV, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.

If a personal statement is required at application state, it will state the maximum wordcount allowed, which should not be exceeded. Where it is a requirement to make a personal statement, you should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.

In instances where a high number of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted, and candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order, i.e., those with the highest scores.

Stage 2 – Interview

If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills.

A presentation may be required at interview.

Interviews may be in person or via Microsoft Teams.

Our main locations are Newport (South Wales), Titchfield and Darlington and Manchester.

A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

The Sift will be conducted from 22nd January

Interviews will be conducted from 10th February

For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.

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

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 :

  • Name : Anthony Jones
  • Email : anthony.jones@ons.gov.uk
  • Telephone : Anthony.jones@ons.gov.uk


Recruitment team

  • Email : Anthony.jones@ons.gov.uk


Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission
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