Principal Data Scientist - Leeds, United Kingdom - UK Civil Service

Description

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose � to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you�d like to work in, we�d love to hear from you.

The public should expect decisions around their health to be based on the best insights derivable from the data they give to us - that requires data scientists

The Data Science hub are raising capability with the ingredients that allow great data science to happen everywhere in DHSC; Skills & Talent, Community & Culture, Leadership, Platform, Tools and Data. We work across the department to deliver innovative data science projects and are making AI work for DHSC with our Advanced Analytics programme.

To achieve this, we:

Deliver innovative data science products leveraging emerging technologies such as Generative AI.

Productionise AI applications through our Advanced Analytics programme

set strategic direction for data science in DHSC.

Are a friendly and accessible central resource of technical expertise

Bring in talented data scientists to DHSC and support them via a vibrant community and L&D offer

Foster relationships with data scientists across the health and social care sector, government, and industry.

Act as ambassadors for data science with all our colleagues.

Implement the government�s Reproducible Analytical Pipelines strategy.

Collaborate with academia and partners across government and the health sector

Our team serves as the central hub for data science, giving us access to an incredible breadth of projects. Recent work has utilised LLMs, machine learning classifiers, geospatial routing analysis, interactive data visualisations and natural language processing. We have applied these to topics as varied as dentistry, adult social care, mental health, and NHS performance, as well as focussing on how emerging AI tools can increase departmental efficiency.

We also serve as the professional anchor for data science, organising community events, providing learning and development opportunities, setting strategy for data science, and being visible as ambassadors for our work and the data science community.

Job description

We are looking to hire a principal data scientist at Grade 7 in the Data Science Hub. Principal data scientists are technical leaders with experience delivering complex projects individually and through a team.�

You will take on responsibility for leading on a particular strand of data science as the department�s go-to person ( for NLP or Geospatial work), but as we matrix-manage our delivery you can expect to contribute to a very wide range of projects outside of the topic you �own�. While the role comes with leadership and management elements, you can expect to spend a significant amount of your time coding and developing yourself technically. You will set out workplans for yourself and others and contribute to work prioritisation.

Our team has a strong focus on building capability in others and so you will build a large network of data scientists as we engage with the community. The role comes with line management responsibility for 1-3 data scientists.

Person specification

Role responsibilities

In this role you will have responsibility to:�

Contribute to and lead delivery teams of data scientists in deploying products and producing analysis.

Help to set direction for the team and the community

Scope new work and propose new directions.

Take on responsibility for leading on a particular strand of data science as the department�s go-to person ( for NLP or Geospatial work), �but as we matrix-manage our delivery you can expect to contribute to a very wide range of projects outside of the topic you �own�.

Be responsible for ensuring that projects you lead are delivered on time and to a high standard with requisite assurance in place.

Have line management responsibilities, looking after development and wellbeing of junior data scientists.

Contribute to learning and development of data scientists across the department through mentoring, structured learning, and informal ad-hoc support.

Key skills and experience required for this role

Our standards are aligned to the Data Science Capability Framework. Some key requirements are:

Expert in at least one of R or Python, ideally with a good working level in both.

Fluent in Git workflows

Good understanding of a range of a wide range of data science techniques and their deployment

Technical leadership � demonstrable in-depth knowledge of a specialist area

Sufficient expertise to set requirements for data engineers, architects and devops, experience working in cloud architectures

Experience leading technical delivery teams and choosing appropriate delivery method ( waterfall, AGILE)

Experience scoping and designing projects for impact

Commitment to upskilling others

Good knowledge of standards and assurance processes

Line management experience

Working knowledge of data ethics and data governance

Ability to communicate complex concepts for a variety of audiences

Details for badging into the Government Statistical Service (GSS):�

Candidates applying to be badged into the Government Statistical Service will be required to complete an online GSS test as part of the application process. This test will be shared with you shortly following the application deadline. You will need to pass this test to progress to the sift stage.�
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If invited to interview, candidates applying to be badged will complete an online dissemination test and present the findings of this test as part of the interview assessment. This test paper will be passed on to the assessment panel, who will ask some follow up questions as part of your interview. Candidates will also be asked technical questions in line with the GSG Competency Framework.�
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Candidates applying to be badged into the Government Statistical Service must meet the following eligibility criteria:�
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Either:

Must be a citizen of Britain, the EU or the Commonwealth

Holds a first or 2:1 degree in a subject containing formal Statistical Training ( statistics, mathematics, economics, sciences, business studies, psychology, geography or similar)

OR

Have at least 2 years appropriate experience in a relevant statistical field AND hold a minimum of the RSS Higher Certificate �

Candidates with a Data Science background may also wish to become badged as a Data Scientist, via the Government Statistical Service. The requirements and assessment are as per the above, and candidates must also be able to demonstrate relevant experience in your career as a professional data scientist.�

Details for badging into the Government Operational Research Service (GORS): �

Candidates applying to be badged into the Government Operational Research Service will be tested on technical Operational Research competencies as part of the interview. �
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Candidates applying to badged will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation prepared in advance, followed by around 10 minutes of questions from the interview panel. The subject of the presentation should be an Operational Research project the candidate has worked on which had an impact.
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Candidates applying to be badged into the Government Operational Research Service must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Must be a citizen of Britain, the EU or the Commonwealth �

Holds a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification. �

Frameworks for badging processes:

GSS:�

DDAT:

Working location requirements

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.� Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support.�

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.�

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.�

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.

Qualifications

Statistician: a 2:1 undergraduate degree or a higher degree in a subject containing formal statistical training or a higher degree in a subject containing formal statistical training. Alternatively, 2 years� work experience in statistical analysis or data science, or a level 4 apprenticeship including at least 2 years in a statistical or data analysis field in government, in both cases demonstrating Continuous Professional Development in statistical analysis or data science via a signed logbook.
Operational Research: a 2:1 highly numerate undergraduate degree or 2:2 with relevant work experience or a postgraduate qualification in a highly numerate discipline.

Behaviours

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

Changing and Improving

Developing Self and Others

Communicating and Influencing

Leadership

Technical skills

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

Candidates will be expected to present a piece of analysis which had impact.

Coding ability

Benefits

Alongside your salary of �53,116, Department of Health and Social Care contributes �14,341 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Learning and development tailored to your role

An environment with flexible working options

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

A with an average employer contribution of 27%