Vacancy -- Data Scientist

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

Chief Operating Officer’s Group
Data Science Unit
SEO - £41,700 - £49,370
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:

The Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) profession in the Welsh Government supports a range of digital services across the whole organisation. As part of our DDaT profession, you will be a key part of the Data Science Unit team and will make a significant and direct contribution for the people of Wales.

Key tasks:

Key Tasks

  • Deliver project work utilising a range of techniques associated with data science including statistical modelling, machine learning, visualisation, natural language processing, geospatial analysis, image processing and automation for a broad range of Government areas.
  • Support the continued testing and development of a data science platform within Welsh Government
  • Lead small project teams and support junior members of staff in further developing their data science and project management skills.
  • Engage with stakeholders to scope and identify data science projects that are feasible and impactful understanding where data science can add value to the organisation.
  • Promote good working practises within the team – version control, reproducibility, code reviews, project management, agile working, knowledge sharing etc.
  • Promote and present data science work both within and outside of the organisation
  • Understand and practice good data principles with respect to ethics and privacy
  • Keep up to date with the latest developments in data science and seek opportunities to test new methodologies.

Development opportunities:

Your role will form part of Welsh Government’s Digital, Data and Technology profession.  You will have the opportunity to work with multiple projects and programmes across all areas of Welsh Government. You will work with staff at all levels including senior staff, Ministers and our Digital Apprentice cohort. You will help build and improve links and collaboration within the cross-government Digital, Data and Technology community.

Closing Date:

10/04/2023, 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

Behaviours

  • Changing and Improving - Work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources. Use technology where possible to increase efficiency. Encourage ideas for change from a wide range of sources.
  • Developing Self and Others - Take time to coach, mentor and develop other colleagues to support succession planning. Reflect on own work, continuously seek and act on feedback to improve own and team’s performance.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

DDaT skills

  • Data science innovation - You can demonstrate practical knowledge of data science tools and techniques. You can develop data science solutions that maximise insight. You can identify opportunities for how data science can improve data practices.
  • Ethics and privacy (data science) -  You can show an understanding of how ethical issues fit into a wider context and can work with relevant stakeholders. You can identify and respond to ethical concerns in your area of responsibility.

Job Specific Criteria

  1. Experience of working with customers/stakeholders to scope and deliver data science project work to make an impact
  2.  A good technical knowledge of data science methodologies and the ability to support and develop others with varying needs.
  3.  Communicate technical outputs to a range of stakeholders and adapting content appropriately.

Assessment Process

There are 4 stages to the application and assessment process:

Stage 1 – Submit CV

Please upload your CV. We are particularly looking for you to demonstrate how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria. You can find these in the Job Specific Criteria section of the advert.

Please ensure that your CV has a clearly marked section which identifies how you meet the Job Specific Criteria. (approx. 300 words for each criterion).

Please note that we will be assessing your CV only against the job specific criteria listed in the advert so your CV MUST demonstrate the Job Specific Criteria for the role, including examples as noted below. Candidates that do not provide detailed examples will be sifted out.

Stage 2 – Sift of CV

After the closing date, all applicant’s CVs will be assessed.

Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet the minimum Job Specific Criteria will be sent an online skills test.

Stage 3 – Skills Test (Online)

The skills test will be scheduled from 24/04/2023 and you will have 7 calendar days to complete this test.

If you pass the online skills test, will then be invited to interview.

Interviews will be scheduled for week commencing 01/05/2023.

Stage 4 – Interview

Your interview will be based on the Behaviours/Skills and Job Specific Criteria outlined in the sections of this advert.

At Interview stage you will be asked questions which will allow you to provide evidence (including specific examples) of how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria and Behaviours and Skills required for this role.

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.

The Data Science Unit is recruiting for two experienced Data Scientists to join the team and use data for the benefit of stakeholders throughout Welsh Government and the wider public sector in Wales. The post holder will have the opportunity to explore and utilise modern tools and techniques to solve real problems that have a meaningful impact in Wales working across a broad range of projects and domains.

The successful candidate will be a senior member of a small data science team who will scope, deliver and promote data science projects within Welsh Government. They will act as a mentor to junior members of the team and also provide support and advice to analysts across the organisation in the use of data science.

Steven Hopkins - Steven.Hopkins002@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.