Senior Data Scientist

Home Office Digital designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.

Senior Data Scientists provide technical advice and guidance to project teams, specialising in various Data Science areas within government. You’ll work on high-profile projects, engaging with senior stakeholders to promote the value of Data Science. With expertise in advanced techniques, you’ll contribute to the wider Data Science community and mentor junior staff, fostering their development and ensuring best practices are followed across projects.

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., As a Senior Data Scientist, you will be a recognised authority on a number of data science specialisms within government, with some knowledge of cutting-edge techniques.

You will be challenged to undertake work in our Automation Centre on delivering AI at scale, supporting the roll out of emerging AI technology and products to help automate and streamline processes for teams across the Home Office., Your main day to day responsibilities will be:

• Developing knowledge of cutting-edge techniques and sharing knowledge of data science within the Data Science team.
• Creating data science products which are proportionate to the business benefit and achieve significant impact.
• Presenting analysis and visualisations in a clear way to communicate complex messages to technical and non-technical audiences outside of the Data Science team.
• Supporting the evolution of data governance and ensuring that both project teams and users of the products apply core Data Science ethical frameworks in their business area.
• Designing, coding, testing, correcting and documenting moderate to complex programmes and scripts from agreed specifications and subsequent iterations, using agreed standards and tools.
• Working with data engineers to map, produce, transform and test new data feeds for data owners and consumers, selecting the most appropriate tools and techniques., Strategy and Architecture:
• Strategy and Planning

• Innovation (INOV) – Level 3

Development and Implementation:

• Systems Development

• Programming / Software Development (PROG) – Level 3

• Data and Analytics

• Data Modelling and Design (DTAN) – Level 2 [note: this skill relates to ‘Acquiring Data/ Understanding Customer Needs’ (GSS) and ‘Data Management’ (SFIA)]
• Data Science (DATS) – Level 4

Skills and Quality

• Quality and Conformance

• Professional Standards and Quality – Level 3 [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

• Achieve Impact with Analysis – Level 3 [note: this skill relates to ‘Achieving Impact with Analysis’ (GORS) and ‘Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively’ (GSS)], 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: £46,062 minimum - £49,287 maximum and London £50,182 minimum - £53,695 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 .

See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks., * UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• 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)
• 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 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Do you have experience in S3?, You’ll have demonstratable passion for Data Science, with the following skills or some experience in:

• Proficiency in Python or R and in version control (Git).
• Cloud Platform experience (Azure, AWS).
• A deep understanding of a range of Data Science techniques and the ability to apply them effectively.
• Proven ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams, (e.g. engineers, architects).
• Ability to clearly communicate complex analyses to both technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring impact and understanding.
• Track record of identifying opportunities for innovation and actively sharing knowledge and best practices with colleagues.

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).

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., * Changing and Improving

• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Programming / Software Development (PROG) – Level 3
• Data Science (DATS) – Level 4
• Achieve Impact with Analysis – Level 3, This vacancy is using Success Profiles , 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 750 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., Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your technical skills (SFIA Framework), Behaviours (Changing and Improving and Working Together) 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.

£46,062 New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the salary band minimum. £46,062 for National roles or £50,182 for London roles. You may be eligible for an additional non-pensionable allowance, pending a Capability and Skills Assessment, with a value of up to £11,338. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP, Alongside your salary of £46,062, Home Office contributes £13,344 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., If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.