Lead Data Scientist - Automation and Innovation

The Automation & Innovation (A&I) function is the Home Office's strategic partner for automation, AI, and innovation delivery, operating within the Chief Technology Office. Automation & Innovation delivers secure, value driven solutions that remove manual effort, improve operational efficiency, and enable smarter ways of working across the department. Our AI as a Service platform is a critical enabler for AI delivery across the department. This trailblazing multi-cloud service is creating secure, scalable and reusable AI microservices to enable teams across the Home Office to harness AI to transform public services. The successful candidate for this role will join our growing AI as a Service team. As a Lead Data Scientist, you will provide technical guidance and support to delivery teams, specialising in advanced Data Science techniques. You'll oversee high-profile projects and engage with senior stakeholders to advocate for Data Science. You'll work with technical teams to develop analytical models into scalable automated solutions. You'll also mentor junior staff, managing their development, and contribute to the wider Data Science community, promoting best practice in the adoption of cutting-edge analysis methods. You'll get to work with some of the largest and most varied datasets around, and benefit from a wealth of continuous professional development resources and career opportunities. You'll play a key role in delivering joined-up, intelligent services that unlock the value from data and deliver better outcomes for the UK. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert. Watch this short video to hear from members of Home Office Digital talking about the projects they work on and their experience of working here: Working for Home Office Digital., Lead Data Scientists are experienced Data Scientists who provide detailed technical advice, support and guidance to project teams. As a Lead Data Scientist, you will inspire best practice and be a recognised authority on a number of data science specialisms within government, with the ability to understand, teach and supervise a wide range of cutting-edge analysis techniques. You will provide oversight of several workstreams within AIaaS including the discovery, development and customisation of a range of AI microservices. You will stay abreast of emerging technologies and conduct experimentation to inform future strategy of the Platform. This will involve projects of high political exposure, value and complexity, and engaging with senior stakeholders to champion the value of data science. You will work to develop scalable AI solutions. You will be a thought leader within the Data Science community and manage the development of junior staff., Your main day to day responsibilities will be:

• Designing, coding, testing, correcting and documenting moderate to complex programmes and scripts from agreed specifications and subsequent iterations, using agreed standards and tools.

• Developing knowledge of cutting-edge techniques and sharing knowledge of data science across the organisation.

• Presenting analysis and visualisations in a clear way to communicate complex messages to a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences.

• Building data pipelines at scale using a range of tools and technologies and advising on data engineering best practices across industry.

• Identifying future areas of innovation and showing how it can be applied to the organisation and wider government.

• Defining best practice to evolve data governance and ensure both project teams and users of the products apply core Data Science ethical frameworks in their business area. Essential skills, We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process. The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework). Use the SFIA Levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skills listed below. Strategy and Architecture:

• Strategy and Planning o Innovation (INOV) - Level 3 Development and Implementation:

• Systems Development o Programming / Software Development (PROG) - Level 3

• Data and Analytics o Data Modelling and Design (DTAN) - Level 3 [note: this skill relates to 'Acquiring Data/ Understanding Customer Needs' (GSS) and 'Data Management' (SFIA)] o Data Science (DATS) - Level 5 Skills and Quality

• Quality and Conformance o Professional Standards and Quality - Level 4 [note: this skill relates to 'Sustaining and Developing OR Professionals and Professionalism' (GORS), 'Working with Credibility' (GSS) and 'Quality Assurance' (SFIA)] Relationships and Engagement

• Stakeholder Management o Achieve Impact with Analysis - Level 4 [note: this skill relates to 'Achieving Impact with Analysis' (GORS) and 'Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively' (GSS)], We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process, The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a digital capability-based allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the Home Office Pay Framework Allowance Careers page for more information. The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time. For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. The pay ranges for this role are National: £62,109 minimum - £68,320 maximum and London £66,229 minimum- £72,852 maximum. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply. Working at the Home Office Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best. We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer. 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. For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application. Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details. Transfer Terms: Voluntary You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. Any move to the Home 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. Reasonable Adjustments If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security 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 security check (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 This job is broadly open to the following groups: o UK nationals o nationals of the Republic of Ireland o nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK o nationals 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) o 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) o individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 o Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.

Diversity and Inclusion The 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).

As a Lead Data Scientist in Automation and Innovation you'll have a demonstrable passion for Data Science, with the following skills or some experience in:

• Effectively deliver innovative, data driven solutions on large or complex data sets including gathering disparate data, extensive data manipulation, iteration of analytics techniques and visualisation of results.
• Demonstrating software or data engineering essentials, such as producing repeatable data pipelines, version control, testing and performance optimisation, while proactively solving problems with curiosity and engaging senior stakeholders to understand and align with their strategic goals and needs.
• Confidently communicating technical / analytical findings and recommendations that inform wider decisions in a compelling way to senior technical and non-technical audiences.
• Using a range of data science techniques (e.g. machine learning, network analysis, data matching, information retrieval, text analytics) in a real-world setting.
• Demonstrating a deep understanding of data privacy, data protection and the ethical implications of Data Science.
• Leading a/several teams and setting best practice to develop programming and analysis skills of self and others. SFIA capability framework Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills A - Z English (sfia-online.org)., + Communicating and Influencing

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

• Innovation (INOV) - Level 3
• Programming / Software Development (PROG) - Level 3
• Data Modelling and Design (DTAN) - Level 3
• Data Science (DATS) - Level 5
• Professional Standards and Quality - Level 4
• Achieve Impact with Analysis - Level 4, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement 1000 words. Please note your CV and personal statement should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. We recommend that you use the STAR format in your examples and ensure that both components are completed thoroughly. Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender. (Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected)., Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your technical skills (SFIA Framework), lead behaviour (Communicating and Influencing) and experience using technical and experience-based questions. At the beginning of the interview, you will be required to deliver a presentation. The presentation topic will be provided to you at least 48 hours before your interview. If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks. Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents., For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers. Please note this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance which would normally need 5 years' UK residency in the past 5 years. However, in exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected., We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License.

Alongside your salary of £62,109, Home Office contributes £17,992 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Why work for us... Find out more information at: benefits - Home Office careers, but some of the primary ones are:

• A competitive starting salary.
• A civil service pension with employer contribution rates of at least 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• The ability to potentially adopt flexible working options that suit your work/life balance, plus the opportunity in future to take a career break.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service.
• Eight days public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• 26 weeks maternity, adoption or shared parental leave at full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks' unpaid, after qualifying service.
• Maternity and adoption support leave (also known as paternity leave) of two weeks full pay, after qualifying service.
• Paid leave for fostering approval processes, support when a child is substantively placed with you plus a foster to adopt policy.
• Support for guardians and kinship carers.
• Corporate membership of 'Employers for Carers' providing additional information and advice for carers, plus a 'Carer's Passport' to discuss workplace needs and underpin supportive conversations.
• Time off to deal with emergencies and certain other unplanned special circumstances. Sign-up on our website to receive emails with information about careers at the Home Office.