Data Scientist Newcastle upon Tyne, England
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About the job
Job summary
This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to work at the very heart of government. The Public Sector Fraud Authority is the central hub of the Government’s Counter Fraud Function and is internationally recognised as a world-leader in tackling fraud and corruption in the public sector. Right now, fraud represents a cost to the government which is estimated at £33bn-£58bn per year.
This role sits within the newly created Data Analytics Service Team. You will be working as a Data Scientist to advance how the government uses data to find fraud within the public sector. You will support the engagement with government agencies to support them in identifying where data analysis could be applied to their business processes to most effectively counter residual fraud risks. You will work closely with a range of stakeholders; helping agencies fully map the data processes underpinning their schemes, identifying the information and analytics gaps that are the root cause of suspected fraud risks and advising on analysis and products to address residual fraud risks. With support and guidance, you will apply data science best practises to build innovative products and present any findings, outputs and recommendations to senior stakeholders. The role will sit within a team of data scientists, data engineers and business analysts.
Job description
The jobholder’s key responsibilities will be to:
- Conduct analysis using a range of complex data sources related to fraud and economic crime.
- Perform analysis in Python and SQL, including machine learning.
- Build and develop on our Quantexa network analytics capability using Scala and PySpark including developing predictive models and building scorecards.
- Communicate analysis clearly and in an engaging manner to non-technical audiences, drawing out the key messages.
- Present findings, outputs and recommendations to stakeholders, managing sensitivities in the results and maintaining good relationships with these stakeholders to facilitate future work.
- Develop and improve interactive dashboarding and setting the direction for current and future reporting using tools such as PowerBI.
- Explore and describe data using a variety of tools and be able to present them to wider audiences without data backgrounds
- Work effectively with a range of stakeholders, within and outside of Government, on collaborative projects and to promote the work of the team
- Maintain your own professional development and build a strong supportive and inclusive culture across the team.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
- Degree / Masters in computer science, maths, statistics, economics or related disciplines
- Programming experience in SQL and a coding language (preferably Python) covering data manipulation, job automation and analysis
- Experience in data visualisation e.g. creating dashboards
It will be beneficial for applicants to have:
- Experience of the use of analytical tools / software to detect fraud;
- Experience with Spark (Scala and Python)
- Experience with using network analytics software and configuration of fraud detection tools and/or analytics platforms.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Data Science - Experience
- Data Science - Presentation
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 500 word Personal Statement and Behaviours. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Seeing the Big Picture- Changing and Improving
Technical
We'll assess your technical ability during the interview process with:
Data Science - Experience- Data Science - Presentation
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – TBD
Expected interview date/s – TBD
Interview location - TBD
Reasonable adjustments
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 [email protected] 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
On occasion you may be required to attend some of our other offices listed.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Any move to Cabinet Office 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: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
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 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 will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
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
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected].
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
