Senior Data Scientist United Kingdom
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About the job
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Location
About the job
Job summary
This Senior Data Scientist role is key to the development and delivery of innovative projects for key stakeholders in the Planning Inspectorate. We are looking for a proactive, analytical thinker who is curious about data and keen to explore what insight it can add to the organisation.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please see the information pack attached.
Job description
The Senior Data Scientist will work closely with the rest of the team to see how outputs can be delivered more efficiently and that they keep pace with new technology and are future proof.
The post holder will proactively analyse data from numerous sources in order to gain a better understanding about how the Inspectorate performs and will build AI/Machine Learning tools that will automate processes and promote data driven decisions.
You will be highly motivated to help improve performance, working as part of a team with significant responsibility.
You will need to be a good communicator, to help explain findings to stakeholders; and to explore areas for new or improved reporting and analysis.
A typical day/week in this role will consist of:
- Contributing to the data science community of practice within the Inspectorate
- Working with stakeholders to identify areas of the organisation where data science can be applied to improve efficiency via automation and reproducible analytical pipelines
- Using machine learning to create models that generate useful insight and communicating this to stakeholders to promote and support data driven decisions
- Spending time learning and developing current or new skills
- Maintaining and improving existing or new data science products
For full information on the role and assessment process please refer to the candidate pack attached.
Hybrid working
All of our office-based roles are contractually located at Temple Quay House in Bristol. Most of our roles are able to work in a hybrid manner and you will be expected to attend Temple Quay House at least 12 days a year. Depending on your role, you may be required to attend more often than 12 days a year either permanently or temporarily to ensure we deliver our services in the most efficient and effective way for our customers. Please do contact us on
[email protected] if you would like to discuss our Hybrid Working Policy in more detail.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- You will require a first or second class degree (i.e. a first, a 2:1 or a 2:2) in a relevant field (e.g. Data Science/Computer Science/Statistics).
- Experience of applied complex data analytics (e.g. understanding of machine learning techniques and algorithms for classification and regression, such as k-NN, Naïve Bayes, SVM, Decision Trees).
- Strong experience with R or Python (including core data science libraries such as tidyverse, numpy, pandas, scikit-learn) to clean, manipulate, and visualise data.
- Good applied statistical skills, such as distributions, hypothesis testing, regression.
- Good pattern recognition and predictive modelling skills to maximise insight while considering ethics and privacy.
- Experience communicating technical subjects to a non-technical audience to support data driven decisions.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of the UK Planning System
- Experience with Git
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Applied statistical skills, such as distributions, hypothesis testing, regression
- Good pattern recognition and predictive modelling skills to maximise insight while considering ethics and privacy
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- There is a choice of excellent pensions schemes. More information about pensions can be found at https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
- Generous family friendly policies.
- Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Microsoft Office 10 and O365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
For full information see our Benefits information pack.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
- A CV: The CV section is an opportunity for you to detail your career history. It should outline the jobs you have done, the length of time you were employed within each role and a brief description of your role, responsibilities and duties which demonstrate relevance to the role you are applying for against the essential criteria. You must type, or ‘copy and paste’ into the text box called ‘Employment History’ within the online application. You cannot attach a copy of your CV.
- A Personal Statement (750 words max): The personal statement allows you to outline your suitability for the role in more depth, expanding on your CV evidence. It is an opportunity for you to provide evidence against the essential criteria listed within the candidate pack on the Person Specification page.
We will assess your application on the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria detailed in the Person Specification in the candidate pack.
In the event of a large number of applications, a lead sift may take place. The following point will be used as the lead criteria when shortlisting if this happens, and if you do not meet the minimum standard the rest of your application will not be assessed.
- Strong experience with R or Python (including core data science libraries such as tidyverse, numpy, pandas, scikit-learn) to clean, manipulate, and visualise data.
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
- Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
- Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, experience and technical questions
Candidates who are successful at shortlist stage will be sent full assessment requirements with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: w/c 27 March 2023
Interview Date: w/c 11 April 2023
Interviews are currently being completed remotely using Microsoft Teams. We would like to reassure candidates that the virtual interview will not be recorded (or retained) within the Planning Inspectorate, other than usual interview protocol and in line with the Civil Service jobs Privacy notice.
We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.
The Planning Inspectorate is committed to finding the right person for the job. We recruit using Success Profiles and consider the criteria you will need to demonstrate to be successful for the role, by doing this we are pushing up performance, diversifying our workforce and creating an inclusive culture.
ID and Documents
If specific qualifications/memberships are essential for the role and you are successful, you will be asked to provide accurate scanned or photographed images of the qualifications/memberships that you listed on your application prior to your start date.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to provide documents that show your Right to Work under Civil Service Nationality Rules and we must check the documents are valid with you present (either in person or over a video call).
Disability Confident Interview scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
To be considered for an interview under the scheme you must:
- have a disability defined by the Equality Act 2010
- provide evidence in your application that you meet the minimum criteria in the job description
- meet all of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential
While we will endeavour to provide you with all the appropriate information, you are the expert on your specific requirements so if you require any adjustments, you should consider the information provided about the assessment process in the candidate pack and then:
- 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. The earlier and more clearly you tell us what you need and why you need it, the more likely we are to be able to accommodate you in a timely fashion.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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 are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Head of HR, via the Recruitment Team ([email protected]).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission.
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmentcomplaints/
