Data (Government Office for Science)
Location
Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Salford
About the job
Summary
The Government Office for Science works at the heart of Government, ensuring policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking. It’s an exciting time to join the organisation; we have outstanding and high-profile positions providing you an opportunity to inform and influence policy-making and the systems for use of science and engineering across government. If you are highly motivated and looking for your next career challenge we want to hear from you.
Our mission is:
1. Science advice mechanisms that are efficient, effective, speak truth to power and are embedded irreversibly in Government systems.
2. Visible impact through both pro-active and demand-led science advice that is relevant, excellent, and delivered fit for purpose.
Our values are:
Collaboration – We draw on the experience, skills and knowledge of individuals and partners to reach goals.
Kindness – We are always inclusive, respectful, and compassionate. We look out for one another on work related and non-work-related matters where appropriate.
Openness – We are curious and always open-minded to new ideas, ways of working and points of view, irrelevant of how unconventional they might seem or who suggests them.
Integrity – We commit to upholding the civil service value of integrity by remaining moral, honest, and transparent. We always strive to do the right thing.
Further information can be found here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-office-for-science
We strongly believe diversity of experience, thought, perspectives, skills, and background makes us a more innovative, welcoming Department, thus making better decisions and better delivering our objectives. We are actively seeking applications from every part of the community and particularly welcome applications from candidates of any age, background, disability, or from an ethnic minority background and any other protected characteristics. This will help us move to a workforce that reflects the people we serve to deliver better policies.
We are a friendly, inclusive team and emphasise personal development. We will ensure individuals with disabilities are provided adjustments to participate in the job application and interview process. We support your wellbeing by putting flexible working at the heart of our offer. If successful, you will be able to discuss working arrangements with your new manager.
We maintain an internal surge capability of staff who may be called at short notice to support an activation of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Training and support will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to develop crisis management skills.
Job description
You will be part of a new and expanding team, the Technology and Science Insights (TSI) unit of GOS. TSI provides evidence to the centre of government, directly underpinning national science and technology policy. Our main customer is the Office for Science and Technology Strategy in Cabinet Office. Our objective is to strengthen the government’s ability to understand and shape emerging science and technology to benefit the UK.
You will set up the Extract, Transform and Load system which all of our 9 analysts use to analyse varied data sources. This will feed into TSI’s portfolio of projects to support decision making at the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Office for Science and Technology Strategy (OSTS) and other departments across government. You will directly help government identify and understand technology-related opportunities and threats. The data system will be particularly vital in feeding into the emerging technology application which seeks to share qualitative and quantitative insight on emerging technologies which could affect Government policy.
In this role you will be providing domain leadership to a team of analysts to ensure that analytical pipelines are reproducible and correspond to best-practice. This will involve setting up a pipeline to multiple data sources, conducting data cleaning and normalisation, before loading it into a Datalake or SQL table which analysts can access. This will help our work to become more scalable and so have greater impact and value for money. There will also be scope to shape our broader data strategy, and set up a data management environment so that government analysts can self-serve information to ensure that it is available when needed to influence decisions that can change the course of the UK’s future. The postholder will be given space and training to develop new skills where needed to deliver in the role and also to support longer-term career development.
By joining our team, which includes data scientists, data engineers, UI specialists, economists, and operational researchers, your work will go into the hands of senior decision makers at the heart of Government, as well as helping a large number of teams across government to improve their knowledge base and awareness of technologies to help them develop policy and provide advice. You will also have the opportunity to shape Go Science’s digital strategy, working alongside the wider BEIS Digital Community, by developing minimum viable products to scale up objective scientific advice across Government. You will also have the opportunity to build links with the wider digital community across Government, with our team having good access to the Government Digital Service, the No10 Data Science unit and the ONS Data Science Campus.
Our team is multidisciplinary, inclusive and focused on individual wellbeing. We are proud to support lots of different working patterns, locations and learning and development activity.
Responsibilities
The SEO Data Engineer Responsibilities will include:
• Undertake data profiling and source system analysis to implement new data flows that support users within and beyond the team. Maintain data repositories to ensure information remains accurate, up to date, and accessed appropriately. A key part of this will be to build the system in which other digital and analytical professionals extract data, particularly using APIs.
• Setting up a data management system to allow cross-government analysts to “self-serve” in accessing data on emerging technologies
• Working with other analysts in the team, implement digital tools for cross-government information sharing, including quantitative data and other intelligence products – designing, coding, testing, correcting and documenting methods.
• Help ensure the Technology and Insights team is well linked to the wider community of government emerging technology analysts and digital professionals, sharing knowledge and developing best practice in using common data sources.
• We work flexibly across different projects, and there will be opportunities to work with teams across GO Science.
Skills and Experience
You will have the following skills and experience:
• You can design, build and test resilient, future-proof and scalable data products to support analysis and information sharing based on feeds from multiple systems (for example, through APIs) using a range of different storage technologies and/or access methods
• Competent using programming languages such as Python, R, SQL or similar, and working with cloud-based platforms.
• You know how to use agreed standards and tools to design, code, test, correct and document moderate-to-complex programs and scripts from agreed specifications and subsequent iterations, maintaining and updated relevant data models for specific business needs.
• You can collaborate with others efficiently using tools such as Git, reviewing specifications where appropriate.
• You know about the need to translate technical concepts into non-technical language and understand what communication is required for internal and external stakeholders.
In addition, it would be desirable if you can demonstrate this:
• A demonstrable interest in horizon-scanning and using an understanding of science and technology to improve government policy and operations.
• Experience of building end to end applications in the Django web development framework
• Understanding and application of data science techniques, particularly with a focus on Natural Language Processing
• Understanding of semantic web and linked data standards
• Experience of coding within a cloud-based environment (e.g. Microsoft Azure)
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 recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups.
These roles would be suitable for part time, flexible working (i.e. compressed hours), or a job share – a number of team members already work these patterns, and we would seek to support you in accommodating your personal circumstances.
Candidates may need to hold (or be willing to apply for) SC clearance.
It is important that candidates pay particular attention to the Success Profile guidelines to ensure applications submitted align with requirements. Guidance can be found at the following website here
Technical skills
To be assessed:
Programming and Build – You know how to develop, code, test, correct and document simple programs or scripts under the direction of others as part of a multidisciplinary team. (Relevant skill level: working)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-engineer
Data development process – You can design, build and test data products based on feeds from multiple systems using a range of different storage technologies and/or access methods. You know how to create repeatable and reusable products. (Relevant skill level: working)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-engineer
Data Innovation: You know about opportunities for innovation with new tools and the use of data. (Relevant skill level: awareness
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-engineer
Communication – You can communicate effectively across organisational, technical and political boundaries, understanding the context. You know how to make complex and technical information and language simple and accessible for non-technical audiences. You can advocate on behalf of a team and communicate what it does, to create trust and authenticity. You know how to respond to challenge.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-engineer
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Working Together
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Programming and Build
Data development process
Data Innovation
Communication
Benefits
BEIS 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.
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.
A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need (from September 2021, depending on how the public health guidance evolves).
Things you need to know
Security
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, 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 750 words) to outline how you meet the skills and experience requirements for the role, giving project examples of work you have done. In addition please tell us why you would like to work in our team.
Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. 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 questions.
Expected Timeline subject to change
Sift dates: w/c 05/09/2022
Interview dates: w/c 12/09/2022
Interview will be held using Microsoft Teams.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
• Contact Government Recruitment Service via beisrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
Please read the skills and experience for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same skills and experience and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.
Successful applicants may be entitled to a Digital skills allowance of up to £6,650 which may be offered for exceptional candidates with considerable experience and skills.
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.
Any move to Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 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. Determine your eligibility at here
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
BEIS 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).
Please note that BEIS does not hold a licence to sponsor visa applications.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
UK nationals
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
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.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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 :Thomas Weston
Email :thomas.weston2@go-science.gov.uk
Recruitment team :
Email :recruitmentsupport@beis.gov.uk
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 BEISRecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. 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
BEIS TCs Opens in new window(doc, 88kB)