Vacancy -- Principal Statistician x2 - Head of Race Disparity Evidence Unit & Head of Disability Disparity Evidence Unit

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

Education, Social Justice and Welsh Language Group
Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Units, Communities and Tackling Poverty Directorate
Grade 7 - £53,440 - £63,900
£51,380
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.
TBC

Purpose of Post:

Our aim is to help the First Minister and Welsh Ministers to build a fairer, greener and more equal Wales. We are looking for passionate and capable people from all walks of life. Previous experience as a civil servant is not a requirement. We are looking for people who can bring different lived experiences to our decision making and are able to thrive in collaborative teams that will help change the way we think. We are looking for applications from diverse candidates who can bring fresh skills, lived experiences and perspectives to our work.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team of analysts working as part of the Government Statistical Group (GSG) profession and Government Social Research (GSR) as well as policy officials within the Communities and Tackling Poverty Directorate of Welsh Government. There are 2 Principal Analyst (Grade 7) posts available within the three newly established Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Units:

  • Head of the Race Disparity Evidence Unit;
  • Head of the Disability Disparity Evidence Unit.

There are two entry routes for these roles The post holder can be either a Principal Statistician or a Principal Social Researcher. The candidate should choose whether they wish to apply under the Government Statistician Group route, Government Social Research or both. If the candidate chooses to apply for both routes, they must submit two applications to be considered under each profession. These are fast-paced teams, and the successful post-holder must be comfortable with juggling priorities and dealing with sometimes conflicting views and priorities of stakeholders with whom we work and engage. The post-holder will need to be flexible and adaptable to changing work requirements and priorities, especially during the first year of the Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Units set-up. The post-holder will be expected to manage your team through a changing environment as required. The post-holder’s team will support emerging longer-term needs from relevant policy areas as well as leading cross-cutting projects working jointly with different teams in the Analytical Professions. As a team leader the professional development of the team members will be an important part of the role as will a contribution to the management and leadership of the Statistics profession.

The work of the Race Disparity Evidence Unit and the Disability Disparity Evidence Unit will include investigating long-standing problems underpinned by sufficiently robust statistics and research across the Welsh Government and the wider public sector in Wales; improving the collection of data; and delivering innovative ways to address ongoing evidence needs relating to ethnicity or disability; developing an evidence plan that will address those needs This plan will have a high level of political and stakeholder interest. The post-holder will identify, coordinate, and prioritise ethnicity or disability related analytical requirements for the organisation, from both internal and external stakeholders.

Race Disparity Evidence Unit:

The post-holder will lead the Race Disparity Evidence Unit evidence programme, which is expected to span a wide range of policy topics and the nature of its individual projects can vary considerably. The post-holder will be responsible for the leadership and oversight of improvements to a range of ethnicity related statistics and social research including bespoke projects delivered by the Race Disparity Evidence Unit. An interest in Anti-Racist approaches would be essential as would an understanding of the range of barriers faced by individuals in Wales from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The post-holder’s team will consider ethnicity through an intersectional lens, so you will need to be familiar with a range of equality considerations. For example, knowledge of the Social Model of Disability and of barriers faced by LGBTQ+ communities would be desirable.

Disability Disparity Evidence Unit: 

The post-holder will lead the Disability Disparity Evidence Unit evidence programme, which is expected to span a wide range of policy topics and the nature of its individual projects can vary considerably. The post-holder will be responsible for the leadership and oversight of improvements to a range of disability related statistics and social research including bespoke projects delivered by the Disability Disparity Evidence Unit. An interest in the Social Model of Disability would be essential as would an understanding of the range of barriers faced by disabled people in Wales. The post-holder’s team will consider disability through an intersectional lens, so you will need to be familiar with a range of equality considerations. For example, knowledge of the Anti-Racist approaches and of barriers faced by LGBTQ+ communities would be desirable.

This advert is for a permanent contract with the Welsh Government; however, the role is also available as a lateral transfer from another Government Department if successful. The role will be available as a loan from another Government Department (if a loan is requested at the offer stage rather than a permanent move). You can browse through Welsh Government work and gain a better understanding of the Civil Service in Wales by visiting the Welsh Government website and watching our welcome to the Welsh Government recruitment campaign (British Sign Language and non-BSL versions available).

Key tasks:

  • Leadership and strategic direction for a team of between 3-5 analytical staff with 1-2 non-analytical staff. This includes coaching and developing staff and also being responsible for ensuring corporate priorities are understood and implemented.
  • Briefing Ministers and senior policy officials on equality/race/disability statistical issues.
  • Provision of statistical advice and support to policy officials to inform policy development on a wide range of topics and monitoring the cross-cutting topic of either Race or Disability. Management of relationship with internal equality policy customers, working closely with other analytical professionals in the equality portfolio area to develop a coherent evidence programme.
  • Management of relationships with external data users including the management of the relevant equality/race/disability stakeholder groups and understanding and responding to the needs of users of government race and disability statistics and research.
  • Representing the Welsh Government on cross-government race and disability statistical and research working groups, inputting to the programme of work as required and close working with counterparts across the UK (e.g. GEO, RDU UK and Disability Unit UK).
  • Work closely with equality/race/disability colleagues to take forward work on evidence for the Accountability groups for the Welsh Government’s Race Disability Action Plans. Responding to evidence requests in relation to improving the availability and robustness of race and disability evidence. This includes taking forward discussions on developing and agreeing an evidence programme.
  • Following implementation, manage the extensive programme of Race and Disability statistics and research. Review and reprioritise Race and Disability evidence work in light of emerging priorities e.g. the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Promotion of statistical best practice, ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics and related legislation and Government Social Research Code and Publication protocols.
  • Staff management, ensuring individual objectives are aligned to the team’s work plan, divisional and organisational priorities. 

Development opportunities:

The post holder will be providing support to policy areas that include high profile government and Ministerial commitments on Race or Disability, as a result the post holder will have significant opportunities to work with senior policy officials and also Ministers. There are also opportunities to work collaboratively with other analysts within Welsh Government and academia. The post holder will manage a programme of work with conflicting priorities and be involved in setting strategic direction for the division.

Closing Date:

28/11/2022, 12:00

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.

Desirable
Can read simple material on everyday topics with understanding
Can hold simple work-related conversations
Can understand basic conversations about everyday topics
Can write simple work-related correspondence

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

Behaviours:

  1. Seeing the Big Picture – Develop and maintain an understanding of economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to ensure activity is relevant.
  2. Leadership – Welcome and respond to views and challenges from others. despite any conflicting pressures to ignore or give in to them.
  3. Communicating and Influencing – Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust.
  4. Working Together – Understand the varying needs of the team to ensure they are supported and their experiences are utilised.
  5. Knowledge of Anti-racism, and Social Model of Disability - Outline your knowledge of Anti-racist approaches and/or the Social Model of Disability and how you would apply this when overseeing the production of statistics. This should be evidenced with an overview of your relevant experience.
  6. Acquiring data & understanding customer needs - Examples of activities include the following, but you should focus on the ones underlined: Work with users and data suppliers to obtain and use appropriate data. Ensure that data used has an appropriate level of quality, adequately representing the relevant population to maximise inclusion. Ensure that data are handled according to applicable governance processes (for example, the Code of Practice), regulations, and ethical considerations.
  7. Data analysis - Examples of activities include the following, but you should focus on the ones underlined: Work with users to fully understand and document their requirements. Select and use appropriate statistical techniques and methodologies, understanding underlying assumptions of each. Innovate and seek out new ways of analysing the data. Ensure that analysis is reproducible, transparent and robust using coding and code management best practices. Ensure that analysis is inclusive and represents the population we serve. Ensure high quality outputs, taking account of bias and uncertainty.
  8. Presenting and disseminating data effectively - Examples of activities include the following, but you should focus on the ones underlined: Identify the needs and interests of different users and take these into account when presenting data to aid understanding and promote inclusion. Present data using appropriate techniques and provide a clear narrative, telling the story of the data. Ensure data is communicated in a way that maximises Trustworthiness, Quality and Value.

Assessment Process

Please read the Candidate Guidance Document for this vacancy for full assessment details. 

Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Unit recruitment: guidance for candidates | GOV.WALES 

Eligibility Criteria: 

You must have one of the following 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. MSc or PhD in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography Data Science or similar); or
  • Applications who do not have a degree are welcomed, but they must demonstrate that they have worked in a statistics/data science related field. Candidates without a relevant degree 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).

Please note if you are invited to interview you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility (e.g. by providing a copy of your degree certificate).

Sift Stage: 

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to submit a CV (no more than 2 sides of A4) and a personal statement. See the candidate guidance for details on what should be in your CV.

The personal statement should evidence the Behaviours and Experience criteria. These are listed in 'Competencies/Job Specific Criteria' section of the advert for your chosen profession route. Your Personal Statement should not exceed 2,400 words (including headings). In your personal statement you should make clear how you are evidencing each of the 8 areas. We recommend roughly one paragraph (300 words) for each of the 8 areas. Your evidence for the behaviours (5-8) should address the specific part of the evidence requested rather than the general behaviour. Your evidence for JS 2-4 should address the underlined sentence rather than the entire GSG competency. 

If you are a member of the Government Statistician Group you must provide us with your membership number so we can exempt you from the statistics and numeracy test. If you don’t know your membership number you should contact GSS.Careers@ons.gov.uk to request it.

Please remember to complete all 8 of the areas to evidence.

To reduce bias within the application process, we will be sifting the applications without identifiers, so please do not include any information that could identify you within your CV or Personal Statement. This includes your name and the institution name where you obtained your qualifications.

If you are successful at sift, you will not be able to request your scores until the full assessment process has completed.

Multiple Choice Test: 

Candidates will be assessed for suitability for the Statistics Grade 7 opportunity through a multi assessment process. You will be expected to undertake an online multiple-choice test, an Interview and GSG Dissemination Test (Presentation). Candidates who are already GSG members will not need to sit the multiple-choice test.

Candidates who pass the sift stage will receive a link via email to undertake the GSG multiple choice online Test. Candidates will have a week to complete the Test. Candidates who need recruitment adjustments are encouraged to contact the recruitment team as early as possible during the application process. All successful candidates will receive their Test outcome by email and an invited to book an interview slot. 

Online Interview and Dissemination Test: 

If you pass the multiple choice test, you will be invited to an online interview. The interview will take place over Microsoft Teams. The interview will be using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles and GSG Technical Competencies.

Before the interview you will be given 40 minutes to sit a short test, which will form a 5 minute presentation to be delivered to the panel at the beginning of the interview.

For further details of the Assessment Process, please refer to the Candidate Guidance. 

Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Unit recruitment: guidance for candidates | GOV.WALES

Final Outcome: 

Following all assessments, candidates will be ranked in merit order and posts will be offered to the highest scoring candidates according to the merit order. There will be a merit order for research and for statistics, we will use the merit orders to fill the posts.

If an applicant is successful, they will have a starting salary of £51,380. Where the candidate is successful on a lateral loan from another Government Department, the starting salary will be moved to the closest (higher) amount on the Welsh Government Grade 7 pay band.

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.

Candidate Webinar: 

We will be holding an MS Teams webinar on 10/11/2022 at 10:00 - 11:00 to provide further details on the role and application process where there will be the opportunity for prospective candidates to ask further questions and meet the line managers. If you would like to attend one of these webinars, please sign up to one of our Eventbrite events (Head of Race x1 and Disability x1 Evidence Units -Virtual Candidate Webinar Tickets, Thu 10 Nov 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite) to receive reminders or use the following joining instructions:

10/11/2022 at 10:00 - 11:00

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Commitment to Diversity: 

The external environment has demonstrated that we need to listen to and understand the experiences of those who are currently underrepresented in the Civil Service in Wales. This includes Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, people from disadvantaged communities and disabled people.

We work hard to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all staff to grow and perform to the best of their ability. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are under-represented in the Civil Service in Wales. We are committed to supporting all staff to thrive in an inclusive working environment.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation.

Recruitment Adjustments: 

Welsh Government is committed to the social model of disability. We will make reasonable adjustments to remove any barriers in the recruitment process and workplace adjustments. We will ensure equality for staff with impairments, health conditions or who use British Sign Language. We can make adjustments to any part of the recruitment process (the application as well as the assessment centre). We will match disabled candidates to roles which are compatible with workplace adjustments.  We can provide advice to staff who think they do or might need reasonable adjustments but who need to know more about the assessment process. We can advise on what sort of adjustments we could make to ensure fair assessment. 

If you know you need (or think you might need) any type of reasonable adjustment to make an application, please e-mail sharedservicehelpdesk@gov.wales. Please do this as soon as possible to discuss any required adjustments.

Disability Confident Scheme (GIS): 

We guarantee to interview anyone who is a disabled person, whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Loans

Loans are only open to existing Civil Servants, recruited to the Civil Service via fair, open and on merit competition. As secondment opportunities are not being offered, individuals who are employed by non-departmental bodies are not eligible to apply. Individuals moving on Loan will be subject to the Civil Service Transfer Principles (How to Move Jobs Between Departments and Agencies). Unless the agreement is for less than 6 months, successful individuals will move to the Welsh Government’s terms and conditions.

Unless otherwise stated in the Job Advert, Loans are not expected to gain a permanent transfer or permanent promotion to Welsh Government (this is subject to the ongoing need for the role and funding being confirmed at the end of the loan period) and unless otherwise stated in the advert, only those applying laterally are eligible to apply. Individuals on loan will be expected to return to their home department at the end of the agreement and to their substantive grade.

Catrin Awoyemi - 03000625631

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.