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Senior Data Scientist

Recruiter
Department for International Trade
Location
London
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
30 Nov 2022

View more

Employer Sector
Scientific
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Travel
None
Job Type
Analytics, Data Science
Contents
  • Location
  • About the job
  • Benefits
  • Things you need to know
  • Apply and further information

Location

Cardiff, Darlington, London

About the job

Job summary
As aSenior DataScientist at DIT,you'llwork closely with customer facing staff and technical colleagues to deliver cutting-edge data science products to inform and influence DIT strategic and operational activity.

Job description

You will be an experienced Senior Data Scientist who can:
  • Be expected to work independently to deliver projects and oversee the work of junior team members, potentially including line management
  • Lead on data science projects, making use of R/Python to exploit internal data on trade and open and commercial data sources.
  • Engage with colleagues across the department to explore new opportunities for data science to help frontline staff deliver against corporate objectives.
You'll use both structured and unstructured data held inside and outside the department to produce data science products. These will include:
  • Relevant data and management information held across DIT including commercial data on businesses the department has a relationship with.
  • Datasets from organisations such as the OECD, World Bank, UN, and WTO.
  • Unstructured free text data including user enquiries and feedback.
  • Large datasets available from ONS, HMRC, DFT, DEFRA and other government departments.
  • Open-source data on trade, shipment of goods, trade in services and digitally enabled trade. Commercially available data on trade, consumer prices and product quality.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience

You will have demonstrable skills and experience of:
  • Strong coding skills using Python or R.
  • A strong understanding of statistical foundations of data science, including classification and regression.
  • An ability to explain complex outputs to non-specialist audiences.
  • Worked on large and open-source datasets, including data wrangling and engineering.
Desirable Skills and Experience

This is not necessary but would be ideal if you:
  • Worked in user centred digital environments with technical and frontline specialists.
  • An understanding of user centred design and agile ways of working.
This role is available in three UK locations, including central London, Cardiff, and Darlington's new economic hub. This role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Most DIT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in the office on average. Changes to these working arrangements are available in certain circumstances, but must be agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DIT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.

Find out about our benefits and practical details like our office locations on the things you need to know page. Remember to check out our blog, Digital Trade and have a look at our video !

Benefits
  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Technical Skills and Behaviours

Sift will take place week commencing: 29thNovember 2022

Interviews will take place week commencing: 5thDecember

Please notes these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.

As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a CV and complete a personal statement outlining your experience, skills and fit for the role.

At the sift stage for this role, we will assess you against the essential skills and experience listed above. We willscore each essential criteria out of 3 using the evidence provided in your personal statement and CV. Your personal statement must be a maximum of 300/500 words. You can use bullet points and subheadings if you prefer. As well as evidencing the criteria you should also touch upon why you're interested in DIT, and in this particular role .

If we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct a 'short sift' and readoneelement of your application. For this campaign a short sift would be conducted based on: strong coding skills using Python or R and A strong understanding of statistical foundations of data science, including classification and regression.

How you'll be assessed

At the interview stage for this role, you will be asked to demonstrate relevant technical skills and behavioursfrom the Success Profiles framework. A role-specific list of these can be found below.

Salary is determined by performance at interview, within the range advertised. Candidates moving from another government department have the option to retain their current salary.

Technical skills

There will be a technical element within the interview where you will be asked questions about yourspecific professional skills and knowledgerelating directlyto the job role.

We will assess you against the following technical skills:
  • Agile working
  • Data-informed decision-making
  • Stakeholder relationship management
  • Strategic thinking
  • User-centred content design
Detailed explanations of each technical skill can be found on the DDaT Framework.

Behaviours

We will assess you against the following behaviours:
  • Making Effective Decision
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
Reserve list

Candidates who pass the bar at interview but are not the highest scoring will be held on a 12-month reserve list for future appointments. Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

The Department for International Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.

Harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Please note - the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

Any move to the Department for International Trade 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

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the DDaT Recruitment team before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DIT by email:

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:

Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.

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

For further information and to apply please click the link to direct you to the advertisers website.

Security Clearance Details

This role requires you to undergo Security Clearance. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. You will be asked to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
. click apply for full job details

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