Data Scientist London, England
Job description
Key information
About the role
The City Intelligence Unit is a multidisciplinary team responsible for providing the Mayor and the GLA with world-class evidence and investigation. Our work covers a wide range of topics including demography, economics, social policy, crime, opinion research, and spatial analysis. We also employ a growing number of data professionals, including data scientists, data engineers, and data visualisation specialists.
The purpose of this post is to provide expert modelling and investigation to support the work of planners and policymakers. A core responsibility of the role is the development and delivery of the GLA’s demographic projections, which are vital for informing a host of activities ranging from local service planning, all the way up to London’s Spatial Development Strategy.
This work has real impact, underpinning choices about housing, transport, education, and infrastructure, that affect the lives of millions of people. We have a strong record of innovation in this field and are looking for someone to help us build on this by making effective use of new methods, technologies, and data sources.
Previous experience in the field of demography or population modelling is not essential - we really value diversity of thought and experience. So, if you:
- have a strong set of technical skills and a desire to keep adding to them
- are comfortable working in R or Python and using GitHub to collaborate on projects
- like the idea of working in a team with experts from a range of disciplines
- enjoy the challenge of finding creative solutions to difficult problems
- want to use your skills to make a real difference to the future success of London and the lives of its citizens
- then we want to hear from you!
Principal Accountabilities
- Contribute to the ongoing maintenance, quality assurance, and improvement of the Demography Team’s suite of models.
- To work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to identify requirements and to address these by providing appropriate analysis, modelling, and expert guidance.
- To deliver projections and analytical outputs as part the range of data services provided by the team to internal and external users.
- To ensure outputs are produced to high professional standards and are accompanied by appropriate guidance and information to allow stakeholders to correctly interpret and apply the results.
- To engage with and share expertise with stakeholders, providing support and guidance, and promoting best practice in the application of data science and modelling.
- To undertake investigation and evaluation of alternative data sources, models, and methods, to help guide the team’s technical conclusions.
- To realise the benefits of working in an open and collaborative manner, ensuring that models and analysis are reproducible and appropriately documented, being transparent with results and methods, and encouraging engagement with the team’s work.
- To realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.
- Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department projects.
- Manage staff and resources in allocated to the job in accordance with the Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Ben Corr at [email protected] to arrange a call.
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework
Person Specification
Technical requirements/experience/qualifications
- A high level of numeracy and technical knowledge, evidenced by a graduate qualification in information technology, information systems, statistics, applied mathematics, or an allied subject or exceptionally, by at least five years’ experience in a similar role.
- Professional experience working with R and/or Python, and the use of version control systems for collaborative development.
- Able to appropriately select and apply a wide range of modelling and analytical techniques to real world problems.
- Evidence of success in undertaking project-based work, designing and preparing clear and concise reports, presentations and briefings on complex issues.
- Evidence of success in building and forming working relationships, and working flexibly, across professional and operational boundaries within an organisation, and with external organisations.
Behavioural competencies
Research and Analysis
… is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
- Expands networks to gain new information sources for research and policy development
- Identifies and implements methods to ensure intelligence is of a high quality
- Encourages others to analyse data from different angles, using multiple perspectives to identify connections and new insights
- Tailors research investment in line with likely impact for Londoners and policy priorities
- Retains a bigger picture view, ensuring research recommendations are appropriate and practical for the GLA and its stakeholders
Stakeholder Focus
… is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
- Understands diverse stakeholder needs and tailors team deliverables accordingly
- Is a role model to others, encouraging them to think of Londoners first
- Manages stakeholder expectations, so they are high but realistic
- Removes barriers to understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders, including hard to reach groups
- Focuses own and team’s efforts on delivering a quality and committed service
Communicating and Influencing
… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance
- Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication
- Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments
- Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities
- Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement
- Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation
Additional Information
This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL)
GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.
London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.
Application closing date: Sunday 16 April 2023 at 23:59
If you'd like some help to complete your application, or if you'd like more information about any of our vacancies, then please email our Resources Team: [email protected].
If you have a question about a specific vacancy, please make sure you mention the reference details used in the job advert.
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