Associate Data Scientist

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Are you inquisitive, do you like solving problems and are interested in finding new ways to do existing tasks and visualise data? If so, then joining HMRC's Data Science Services Low/No Code team could be the job you are looking for.

Our Team operate at the cutting edge of low-code technology, chiefly Power Platform, using a wide range of data and tools to support the strategic objectives of the department and to help solve some of the key challenges, whether that's ensuring HMRC collects the right taxes; pays out the right financial support; making it easier for our customers to get their taxes right; or supporting wider government economic aims.

Agile delivery enables projects to generate a range of data science products, including tailored interactive visuals, dashboards, applications, AI solutions, and impactful analysis and insight. Our interactive products drive operational decisions and aid our customers with their day-to-day processes, making real change within the organisation.

To develop and deliver these products the team primarily utilise the Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Bi, Co-Pilot Studio and AI Builder The team have access to a range of ever-developing analytical tools that we are keen to investigate., This role sits at the heart of the Data Science Services Low/No Code team. The team uses low code/no code tools, primarily but not limited to Power Platform, to develop a range of interactive apps and data visualisations that are relied upon daily by thousands of colleagues across the department, delivering tangible, large-scale operational impact, while also pioneering the use of low-code AI tools to solve business problems, making this an exciting time to join.

On a day-to-day basis you will work alongside other data scientists, data engineers and other IT professionals, using the analytical tools and environments in the Department (Power Platform, R, R Shiny) to help develop and deliver interactive products, as well as statistical analysis and insight.

You will collaborate with others to develop data science solutions and outputs supporting the organisation. You’ll also prepare and manipulate data, perform analytics and present these to stakeholders.

• Developing low code/no code data science solutions.
• Creating apps to gather data and automate processes.
• Developing automation solutions to processes.
• Creating dashboards/data visualisations to aid analysis and data driven decision making.
• Taking an inquisitive approach, seeking out and evaluating new and emerging technologies.
• Supporting the wider citizen developer community., * Seek out and research new data science techniques, particularly using the Power Platform, to support learning.
• Ask questions to improve your knowledge and learn about data science norms.
• See possibilities for improvements and innovation.
• We expect the candidate to have strong knowledge of Power Apps, and Power Automate.

Delivering Business Impact

• Collaborate to help identify user needs and develop and deliver data science products, using Power Apps and Power Automate.
• Communicate effectively and present analysis and visualisations tailored to your audience., Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly., If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You’ll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate., HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment., * 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 R?, An ideal candidate would be inquisitive, curious about data and keen to learn and develop. We are looking for someone who is aware of project delivery methods, ethical considerations as well as having knowledge of the technologies used. You’ll also be a good communicator, who is able to describe technical issues to non-technical stakeholders and conversely be able to understand and liaise with technical specialists.

We expect the candidate to have strong knowledge of Power Platform, particularly Power Apps and Power Automate.

Essential Criteria

Programming and Build (data science)

• Write and test scripts and create basic models in one or more languages, particularly PowerApps and Power Automate.
• Collaborate on shared codebases, using a variety of methodologies., * Knowledge of CoPilot Studio, AI Builder, CoPilot Agents would be an advantage., This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills., * A 250-word Personal Statement which should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the Essential Criteria and Person Specification as outlined in the advert.
• Three 250-word statements addressing the Technical Skills required for the role.

Please evidence any Desirable Criteria where applicable (up to 250 words max). This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy holder where candidates have the same score at interview., During the panel interview, you will be asked a behaviour-based question on Delivering at Pace to explore in detail what you are capable of.

You will be asked two Technical Skills questions as follows:

Programming and Build (data science) Please provide an example demonstrating your practical knowledge of using Power Apps and Power Automate to write, test and implement data science solutions, including collaborating on shared solutions or codebases.

Data Science Innovation Please provide an example demonstrating your practical knowledge of using PowerApps and Power Automate to develop data science solutions., Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process., Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Pulled from the full job description

• Company pension
• Work from home, Alongside your salary of £37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension- We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk . Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.