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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Architecture and Data
International Trade
Social Research
Statistics
Strategy
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About the job
Job summary
You do not need any prior knowledge or experience of international trade or of specific trade analysis techniques to apply for these roles. We have comprehensive training programmes to bring you up to speed.
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as we promote British trade and investment across the world. This important work is vital to UK prosperity. Trade analysts in DBT ensure that ministers and other senior leaders can make informed policy and operational decisions, based on the best possible data, evidence and analysis.
You would join the Trade Agreements Analysis team. This is a diverse and multi-disciplinary team which strongly values inclusion, professional development and high-quality impactful analysis. We work in a very high profile policy area so you can expect the analysis you produce to reach and directly influence senior decision-makers in government.
We deliver analysis to support the negotiation, implementation and improvement of the UKs Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Our multidisciplinary team is made up of around 30 statisticians, economists, and social researchers. We:
- Provide high quality analysis on the value of FTAs and positions to negotiators, the public and ministers.
- Identify where the UK can achieve greatest value in future FTAs and shape our trade policy strategy.
- Monitor and evaluate the UKs FTAs and their impact across the economy to help maximise their benefits.
We have two Senior Statistician roles available.
One role is in a team that provides analysis to support:
- The UKs negotiations to enhance key existing FTAs.
- The ratification and implementation of recently signed new FTAs.
- The UK governments trade policy strategy and future FTAs.
The other role is in a team that monitors and evaluates the UKs FTAs once they have entered into force. The team does this by:
- Developing and harnessing a range of data and evidence sources and applying a diverse set of methods including statistical analysis, econometrics, modelling, business surveys, and qualitative research techniques.
- Making use of established international best practice trade analysis techniques.
- Breaking new ground on innovative new techniques with the potential to deliver powerful new insights, including new projects aiming to gain insights from previously inaccessible UK trade datasets.
In either role, you would play a key part in understanding and communicating to a wide range of internal and external stakeholdersincluding government ministers, parliamentarians, and the publicthe potential impacts of soon-to-be FTAs or actual impacts of current FTAs.
Please note that in February 2023 the Department for International Trade (DIT) and parts of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) were merged to form the new Department for Business and Trade (DBT). This means the above two roles may develop as the new department establishes itself. This should create even more exciting opportunities to deliver trade agreement analysis and the postholders would be asked to adapt and flex their work in line with those changes.
Job description
As a senior statistical officer, you will apply your statistical skills to innovate and solve problems in data management and analysis using relevant software packages and analytical techniques. Your ability to succinctly explain and communicate your findings clearly using non-technical language to policy, strategy, and operational delivery audiences will be key.
Depending on your specific role, your responsibilities may involve:
- Working closely with statistics, data science and modelling teams to deliver and communicate analysis with impact by effectively briefing non-analyst audiences.
- Developing and testing innovative approaches for monitoring and evaluating the impact of FTAs, including on businesses, consumers and the labour market.
- Managing and using large business-level datasets in R Studio and where relevant other software, to conduct and quality assure analysis.
- Helping to build the wider teams capability in statistical analysis and quality assurance, reproducible analytical pipelines, data visualisation, and R Studio.
- Providing high-quality analysis to support briefings for policy/strategy/operational officials including senior officials, and for the departments external communications, helping to ensure that these make robust and impactful use of data analysis results.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Knowledge and experience of using statistical techniques to generate insights from data and an understanding of how this can be used to effectively inform and influence organisational decision-making.
- You must be willing to take a test to become a member of the Government Statisticians Group (GSG) as part of the application process, if you are not already a member of the GSG. (See personal attributes and skills section for more information.)
You must meet the GSG minimum qualifications or experience criteria which you can find here: https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/government-statistician-group-gsg-guidance-on-badging-level-transfer-and-returning-to-the-gsg/
Desirable Criteria
- Coding experience in particular the R programming language. If you do not have experience of using R, do not let this put you off applying as we have comprehensive training programmes to bring you up to speed and you will learn on-the-job through completing analytical projects.
Note that you do not need any prior knowledge or experience of international trade or of specific trade analysis techniques to apply for these roles. We have comprehensive training programmes to bring you up to speed.
Personal Attributes & Skills
Were looking for dynamic and energetic applicants who enjoy working proactively and collaboratively to deliver high quality and impactful analytical outputs. We are looking for people who are highly motivated by data and statistics, naturally collaborative and analytically curious. DBTs Analysis Group welcomes a diversity of personality types and thought.
Qualifications
You must hold one of the following qualifications to progress further:
- A first or second class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician, 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content(e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
- A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
- Have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a CPD Log Book) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5)
- Have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics or data analysis (via a CPD log book signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession)
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively
- Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs
- Data Analysis
Benefits
£10,274 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 with 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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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 CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
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.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Your technical skills will be assessed against the GSG competency framework which you can find here.
Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) will be required as part of the application process to take an online statistical test and a dissemination exercise to join the GSG. You must pass the online statistical test to be eligible to progress to the interview stage. The dissemination exercise will be conducted as part of the interview.
Once you have submitted your application and the application has closed, you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete the GSG 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. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.
Are you already a member of GSG? If yes, send evidence to the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk by the deadline including Campaign reference in the email title. The recruitment team will then check your GSG membership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.
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.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
Vetting
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Yoko Lohrer
- Email : yoko.lohrer@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
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
