Data Scientist

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London- Canary Wharf (Core HQs)Job SummaryWe pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.  UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.  The Data Science QA Team is a small, friendly team who are experts in supporting teams to embed Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) practices across a wide range of analytical work including data science and modelling. We are looking for a Data Scientist to support our work maturing AQA across UKHSA. They will provide practical operational support for both the G7 Data Science QA Lead and G7 Modelling QA Lead to ensure analysts across UKHSA understand the importance of AQA, and to provide them with the practical tools to implement proportionate AQA in their day-to-day work. Job DescriptionTo support our work embedding AQA best practice processes and proceduresTo help identify and implement opportunities to mature AQA across UKHSA To support capability building initiatives to manage analytical risk by ensuring civil servants across UKHSA are aware of AQA and data science best practices and can use them To support AQA reviews across the analysis spectrum At This Role Level, You Will:Work independently and collaboratively to support data science and analytical QA. Have a good understanding of a range of topics, including data science techniques, delivery methods and stages, tools and technologies.Understand ethical considerationsUnderstand the role and benefits of data science within the organisationSupport data science and AQA capability building within the organisationPrepare and manipulate data, and perform complex analyticsPresent and communicate effectivelyData Science at UKHSAAt UKHSA all data science roles align to the role overviews and skill descriptions as set out in the GDD framework for data science: Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability FrameworkDetailed Job Description And Main ResponsibilitiesApplied maths, statistics and scientific practices: You can apply analytical methods including exploratory data analysis, visualisation and statistical testing to reach accurate conclusions. You can use analytical approaches to interpret data confidently. You can summarise and describe data to support decision making.Data engineering and manipulation: You can select and use the most appropriate tools and techniques to manipulate and transform the data for data science products. You can collaborate with data engineers.Data science innovation: You can apply data science innovation in your approach to new questions, opportunities, data and techniques by using an inquisitive mind. You can improve methods and maximise insights. You can apply your data science innovation to produce creative solutions to data science problems.Delivering Business Impact: You can understand processes, data and strategic priorities. You can apply data science techniques to produce and present data science products. You can design solutions that meet user needs, allowing for design and ethics standards. You can work towards the successful delivery of products and establish maintenance requirements.Developing data science capability: You can work with data scientists and developers to share skills. You can ensure that your team can access the right technologies to create products. You can develop your data science skills. You can routinely engage with and update your continuous professional development (CPD).Ethics and privacy (data science): You can understand and comply with frameworks, standards and laws, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the Equalities Act. You can work with legal, policy and public colleagues, government departments and ministers to clearly communicate ethical issues and ideas. You can store and treat data appropriately.Programming and build (data science): You can use programming tools to undertake analysis and create scalable data products. You can identify and reuse common approaches and code. You can document and test code to ensure its quality. You can understand the organisation's tech stack and get code into production by working with developers and architects.Understanding product delivery: You can use different product delivery methods (such as Agile) and phases to make decisions. You can work collaboratively with other professionals. You can use knowledge of product management to deploy data science products into the organisation. You can show data science is used effectively to support products and services.To support our work embedding AQA best practice processes and proceduresTo help identify and implement opportunities to mature AQA across UKHSA To support capability building initiatives to manage analytical risk by ensuring civil servants across UKHSA are aware of AQA and data science best practices and can use them To support AQA reviews across the analysis spectrum Detailed Job Description And Main ResponsibilitiesApplied maths, statistics and scientific practices: You can apply analytical methods including exploratory data analysis, visualisation and statistical testing to reach accurate conclusions. You can use analytical approaches to interpret data confidently. You can summarise and describe data to support decision making.Data engineering and manipulation: You can select and use the most appropriate tools and techniques to manipulate and transform the data for data science products. You can collaborate with data engineers.Data science innovation: You can apply data science innovation in your approach to new questions, opportunities, data and techniques by using an inquisitive mind. You can improve methods and maximise insights. You can apply your data science innovation to produce creative solutions to data science problems.Delivering Business Impact: You can understand processes, data and strategic priorities. You can apply data science techniques to produce and present data science products. You can design solutions that meet user needs, allowing for design and ethics standards. You can work towards the successful delivery of products and establish maintenance requirements.Developing data science capability: You can work with data scientists and developers to share skills. You can ensure that your team can access the right technologies to create products. You can develop your data science skills. You can routinely engage with and update your continuous professional development (CPD).Ethics and privacy (data science): You can understand and comply with frameworks, standards and laws, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the Equalities Act. You can work with legal, policy and public colleagues, government departments and ministers to clearly communicate ethical issues and ideas. You can store and treat data appropriately.Programming and build (data science): You can use programming tools to undertake analysis and create scalable data products. You can identify and reuse common approaches and code. You can document and test code to ensure its quality. You can understand the organisation's tech stack and get code into production by working with developers and architects.Understanding product delivery: You can use different product delivery methods (such as Agile) and phases to make decisions. You can work collaboratively with other professionals. You can use knowledge of product management to deploy data science products into the organisation. You can show data science is used effectively to support products and services.Person specificationEssential Criteria:A first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or IT equivalent which demonstrates core statistical skills OR have worked in a statistical/data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics/data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5)Proficiency in Python or R from coursework or projects, including using core libraries (e.g. pandas, numpy, dplyr, ggplot). Can undertake exploratory data analysis and apply statistical techniques and models using a script. Familiarity with Git and version control. Experience in wrangling, cleaning and preprocessing data in readiness for analysis. Understanding of Machine Learning approaches including regression, classification and clustering, using train-test approaches and evaluating performance with metrics such as precision, recall and F1 with guidance.Able to manage own tasks to a project plan, collaborate with others and ask for help at the right time. Good organisational skills including planning work, keeping clear notes and meeting deadlines. Can prioritise tasks with support when workloads change. Produces clear charts and dashboards and can explain findings in plain language for both technical and non-technical audiences. Ability to understand caveats and limitations.Understanding of quality assurance, data validity, reliability and confidentiality issues and statutory information governance requirements.Breaks problems into steps, experiments with simple prototypes. Helps translate user requirements into actionable tasks with guidance.Comfortable sharing progress, capturing requirements and incorporating peer and stakeholder feedback.Makes day-to-day decisions on own work, documents assumptions and escalates appropriately.Desirable Criteria:Understanding of techniques and applications of public health and healthcare intelligence including surveillance, needs assessment, audit and information support to commissioning.Familiarity with a range of health data sources, including clinical, epidemiological, environmental and socio-economic datasets.Experience of producing analytical products (e.g., software packages, automated reports, dynamic visualisations/dashboards).Familiarity with AI concepts and tools.Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your roleAn environment with flexible working optionsA culture encouraging inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Selection process detailsStage 1: Application & Sift This vacancy is using Civil Service behaviours (part of Success Profiles) and the Government Digital and Data Profession Framework for Data ScienceAt sift stage you will be assessed against the 11 essential criteria listed in the job advert.You Will Be Required To Complete An:Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)1250 word supporting statementHealthJobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250 words.This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If longlisting is used, we will take forward all applications that meet all essential criteria.In The Event Of a Large Number Of Applications An Initial Sift Will Be Carried Out Against The Lead Criteria Of:Understanding of quality assurance, data validity, reliability and confidentiality issues and statutory information governance requirements.Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.Stage 2: Technical Assessment You will be invited to remote Technical Test.Dates of the Technical Test to be confirmed.You will be provided with a representative data science task and data set and have 90 minutes to construct a code-based solution.You will then have an interactive remote discussion with a panel. Here you will present your outputs and respond to questions interactively. This session is expected to last around 25 minutes.The assessment is predominately designed to test your coding and mathematical skills, and the marking will align to the GDD data science framework.Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited to attend a final interview. The scores from both the technical test and interview stages will be combined to determine your overall outcome.Feedback will be provided at this stage.Stage 3: Interview- Success ProfilesYou will be invited to remote interview.Interviews dates to be confirmed.The Interview Will Assess The Following:Civil Service Behaviours: Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UKManaging a Quality ServiceCommunicating and InfluencingTechnical Skills From The GDD Data Science Profile:Developing data science capabilityDelivering business impactOnce this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Selection ProcessPlease note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.Eligibility Criteria External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).LocationThis role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ’s (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.Future location UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UKThe new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.Reasonable AdjustmentsThe Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service CareersInternational Police checkIf you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.Artificial Intelligence (AI)Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Link Below:Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service CareersInternal Fraud check If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.Careers websitePlease visit our careers site for more information UKHSA Hub , Civil Service CareersSalary InformationIf you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location:Higher Executive Officer (HEO)£33,422-£40,731 (National)£35,587- £43,244 (Outer London)£37,749- £45,353 (Inner London)Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecurityPeople working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob Contact :Name : Lisa TweedieEmail : lisa.tweedie@ukhsa.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.ukFurther informationThe law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.ukhttp://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7482400