Lead Data Scientist - Projects and Capability

This role is designed to develop innovative data science and AI approaches in analysis, a core function of FCDO's Data Science and Innovation Unit (DSIU) in the Centre for Data Analysis (CfDA), at the centre of FCDO in the Analysis Directorate. It combines methodological development in data science and AI, delivery of impactful technical projects, and strategic capability building to support analytical data science and AI, offering an exciting opportunity for an accomplished data scientist to step into a more strategic and influential position. You will lead and manage analytical data science and AI projects with partners across FCDO, applying new methodologies and exploiting emerging technologies to advance tech-enabled analysis. You will drive innovation in the use of data at scale, leading experimentations, providing technical quality assurance, ensure skills and tools are aligned to deliver maximum value, and help set and support analytical data science standards. You will work closely with analysts from a wide range of professions across the organisation to strengthen data science capability in analysis, developing a thriving community of practice. You will also work seamlessly with colleagues in the Information and Digital Directorate, which is building FCDO's digital and enterprise-wide professional capabilities on data science. DSIU's mission is: Turning data into impact. Leveraging data science, AI and automation to drive efficiency and insights across FCDO. Ultimately, your goal is to deliver timely, relevant insights that inform FCDO's top priorities and increase real-world impact, while shaping approaches for analytical data science across the organisation as a leader in the Analytical Community. Roles and Responsibilities The successful candidate will:

• Contribute to the collective leadership of the Data Science and Innovation Unit (DSIU), build a motivating and collaborative environment and act as a role model for teamwork and initiative.

• Engage with teams across FCDO to identify where data science can add the most value.

• Manage end-to-end delivery of analytical, data science and AI projects, leading multidisciplinary teams using matrix management approaches, focusing on impact for partners / client teams.

• Drive innovation, developing and implementing new methodologies, identify and test emerging technologies, for example, AI tools or new data sources.

• Line manage and support the career development of some other members of the team. Nurture the professional development of junior colleagues and support peer-learning.

• Strengthen the Community of Practice on Data Science for Analysis to increase capability across the organisation.

• Promote best practice and uphold technical and analytical standards in data science, as well as compliance with legislation. You will have many opportunities to innovate, learn, work with enthusiastic colleagues, deepen your technical expertise, develop your leadership and wider range of personal and professional skills. The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. Candidates who secure a role that is considered specialist/technical, may be required to affiliate to the relevant specialist network, if not already a member. You may be required to travel in the UK with possible travel abroad. This will include visiting our teams in the UK at our London, East Kilbride and Hanslope Park sites, a few times a year. If International travel is required, it will be less frequent involving only short visits to some missions and embassies once or twice a year., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing

• Managing a Quality Service

• Changing and Improving We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Applied maths, statistics, and scientific practices (Expert Level)

• Data Science innovation (Expert Level) We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Applied maths, statistics, and scientific practices (Expert Level), This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. This vacancy uses the Success Profiles Framework to assess your Behaviours and Experience. We will use the Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework to assess your Technical skills. Please see the 'Hints and Tips' that are provided for your information about how to prepare Behaviour examples at the Application and Interview stage. Application Stage You will be required to complete an online application form and submit a CV and Personal Statement of 500 words. Your Personal Statement should explain how your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Minimum Criteria. It is essential that you provide clear evidence and proven examples addressing each of the Minimum Criteria, Behaviours and the Technical skill listed below. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates. The Behaviours you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows:

• Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour)

• Managing a Quality Service The Technical Skill you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows:

• Applied maths, statistics, and scientific practices - Based on the competency framework: Role profile: data scientist - Government Analysis Function (civilservice.gov.uk) (Expert Level) If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments in order to complete your application, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and certainly by the closing date. In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift by a lead Behaviour. For this campaign we will be prioritising Communicating and Influencing. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this Behaviour will have the rest of their application fully assessed. Interview Stage In advance of the interview you will be asked to take an online test on:

• Programming and build (data science) (Expert Level) The Behaviours you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows:

• Communicating and Influencing

• Managing a Quality Service

• Changing and Improving The Technical Skills you will be assessed on during the interview (against this Framework: Data scientist - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework) are as follows:

• Data Science innovation (Expert Level)

• Applied Maths, Statistics and Scientific practices (Expert Level) Candidates will be required to give a Presentation at the Interview and the topic will be sent to you a couple of days in advance of your Interview). The Presentation will test the following (Technical) skill:

• Data Science innovation (Expert Level) Please note that the FCDO carries out name-blind (anonymised) recruitment to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The personal information on your Application form and/or CV will be concealed during the sifting phase, and only the names of those who are being invited for Interviews will be made known to the Panel. Reasonable Adjustment 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.

You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you., + A strong enthusiasm for data science and AI, manifested through hands-on practice, strategic thinking and staying abreast of technology developments.

• Strong interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with collaborators and client teams across FCDO.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including between the technical and non-technical, and effective analytical report writing.
• Experience of leading and delivering data science and AI projects yourself and through others, including methodology development, project management, and awareness of data compliance.
• Experience in capability building.
• Experience of programming in one or more languages (Python preferred).

£57,500 London based - The total package for this role at Grade 7 is £62,500 per annum (non-negotiable). This figure includes a non-pensionable, non-consolidated Location Allowance of £5,000. East Kilbride based - The total package for this role at Grade 7 is £57,500 per annum (non-negotiable). A specialist allowance of up to £9,200 per annum (non-contractual, non-consolidated and non-pensionable) may be offered based on the candidate's demonstrated skills, competence and experience at interview. This allowance will be subject to regular review and may be changed or removed with written notice. The maximum total remuneration for this role will not exceed £75,400 per annum. Future pay awards will be performance related, linked to the annual appraisal process and may also include a non-consolidated Performance Related Payment (PRP), dependent on the level of performance. All future awards are subject to guidance issued annually by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP, Alongside your salary of £57,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £16,657 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. · A Civil Service Pension. · 25 days Annual Leave per annum. · 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum. · Learning and Development tailored to your role. See the attached candidate pack., Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK's role in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. We employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, which consists of 282 officially designated Posts. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.