Vacancy -- Statistical Officer

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Welsh Government
Statistics Profession
EO - £26,900 - £30,610
£26,900
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Permanent
Pan Wales
'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.
Weeks Commencing 8th May and 15th May

Purpose of Post:

There are multiple posts available. Candidates will be appointed on merit order and a reserve list will be held for 12 months in case further posts become available.

The role of Welsh Government statisticians is to support decision-making, resource allocation, research and debate within government and the wider community by providing reliable and efficient statistical services. A wide range of topics are covered by Welsh Government statisticians including education, health, housing, poverty, social justice, industry, the economy, local government, transport, the environment, agriculture, demography and the Welsh language. Most of our statisticians work together in a central hub of analysts known as Statistical Services Division; however there are also a small number of statistical teams “outbedded” within Welsh Government policy departments.

The general purpose of our Statistical Officer posts is to manage the provision of analysis and advice through the collection, collation, analysis and presentation of data on specific topics.

Our Statistical Officer posts are available on a permanent basis. If you are an existing civil servant, it is also possible to opt to undertake these posts as a loan for up to 2 years, if you would prefer this. Please note, however, that our loans are only available on a lateral basis.  

Key tasks:

Typical key tasks a Statistical Officer is required to carry out vary from post to post.  Examples include the following:

  • Provision of statistical advice and briefing to policy teams and ministers within the Welsh Government
  • Analysis of large datasets, drawing out key messages, identifying trends and writing insightful commentary
  • Preparation of appropriate data visualisations and statistical tables to help illustrate messages in data
  • Answering requests for data and analysis from a variety of internal and external sources
  • Data management and manipulation including efficient storage of data and automation of statistical processes
  • Quality assurance including data checking, reporting on statistical quality and the peer review of statistical outputs.

Development opportunities:

  • The post-holder will work closely with and be mentored by experienced statistical staff.
  • Chance to develop knowledge and understanding of the Welsh Government’s policies in specific areas.
  • Access to focused learning and development opportunities, steered by the Government Statistician Continuous Professional Development (CPD) framework

Closing Date:

03/04/2023, 16:00

Eligibility

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

Equality and Diversity

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

Disability Confident

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Not necessary to undertake the duties of this post

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

APPLICATION FORM AND SIFT 

Candidates are asked to provide evidence against the following person specification in their personal statement;

Statistical Officer Person Specification

  • Experience in the practical application of analysis or research with an in-depth knowledge of data sources
  • Ability to manage own workload and contribute to statistical production
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex analysis to non-specialists and communicate effectively to stakeholders
  • Ability to work as part of a team to deliver high quality statistical advice and analysis, often to tight deadlines

Advice: When deciding which examples to use in your personal statement, keep referring back to the job advert, Level 1 of the GSG competency framework and Level 2 of the Civil Service Success Profile Behaviours for effective behaviour indicators.

Further information about the role of government statisticians, along with advice on application writing and preparing for interview can be found in the attached candidate pack.

ONLINE INTERVIEW AND DISSEMINATION TEST ONLY

Technical Competencies:

  • Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively – Demonstrate how you communicate statistics to non-specialists using a variety of methods.
  • Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs – Demonstrate your understanding of data sources along with their strengths and limitations. Demonstrate the methods you have used to collect data.
  • Data Analysis – Demonstrate how you analyse data using statistics techniques. NB You must demonstrate evidence of having used at least 2 statistical techniques.

Civil Service Behaviours:

  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together

Assessment Process

Eligibility criteria

You must have, or be on track to obtain by September 2023, one of the following in order to apply:

  • A first or second class honours degree in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography Data Science or similar); or
  • A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Data Science, Psychology, Geography or similar).
  • Applications from candidates who do not have a degree are welcomed, but they must demonstrate that they have worked in a statistics/data science related field. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their continuous professional development (via a CPD Log Book) in statistics/data science to demonstrate knowledge at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5).

 

Application form and sift

Please apply by submitting a CV and personal statement via our online application system. Your CV should cover details of education and professional qualifications, employment history and relevant skills and experience.

Your personal statement should reflect the person specification given in this advert. It must include details of your technical and professional achievements and should be no more than 1250 words. When looking at applications, the assessors will be looking for clear evidence of your statistical knowledge and experience.

 

Multiple choice test

If your application demonstrates the skills and experience required for the role, you will be invited to undertake an online multiple choice test, designed to test your numeracy and statistical knowledge. You will be sent an email with a link to the test. You will have one week to complete the test. It is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by midday on the date specified in the email, in order to be considered for the next stage of the process.  

If you are already a member of the Government Statistician Group, you are exempt from sitting the test. Please email Rebecca.Gillard@gov.wales with your GSG membership number who will confirm if you do not need to complete the test. You will then be moved onto the next stage (interview).

 

Online interview & dissemination test

If you pass the multiple choice test, you will be invited to an online interview. The online interview will take place over Microsoft Teams. The interview will be using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework. Questioning styles include Situational and Past Experience types. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. In addition, you will also be asked competency style questions on the Government Statistician Group technical competencies. During which you will be expected to demonstrate understanding of two statistical techniques.  Before the interview you will be given 30 minutes to sit a short test, which will form a presentation to be delivered to the panel at the beginning of the interview. The presentation should last no more than 5 minutes and you will remain seated during the presentation. If you are already a member of the Government Statistician Group, you are exempt from sitting this test.

Technical Competencies:

  • Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively – Demonstrate how you communicate statistics to non-specialists using a variety of methods.
  • Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs – Demonstrate your understanding of data sources along with their strengths and limitations. Demonstrate the methods you have used to collect data.
  • Data Analysis – Demonstrate how you analyse data using statistics techniques. NB You must demonstrate evidence of having used at least 2 statistical techniques.

Civil Service Behaviours:

  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together

 

Want to find out more?

To help explain the application process and answer any questions about our Statistical Officer positions, we will be hosting two MS Teams Webinars.

Join on your computer or mobile app by clicking on one of the following links:

13:30-14:00 on 15 March 2023: Click here to join the meeting

11:30-12:00 on 21 March 2023: Click here to join the meeting

Other Information

  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
  • For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.
externalrecruitment@gov.wales

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Grievance and Complaints

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.

This vacancy is closed to applications.