Office for National Statistics
Methodologist
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The locations for this role are Newport, Titchfield (Fareham), Manchester, London & Darlington
This role is aligned to ONS hybrid working principles, which are based on attending the office with purpose. The postholder will be expected to contribute to the organisation’s overall 40% office attendance, in line with business and role requirements.
Due to workforce controls you can only select Manchester and London if you are an existing ONS employee contracted to that location. If you are not contracted at one of these sites, these options are not available to you.
Only existing ONS contractual homeworkers can select Homeworking.
Applicants who select a location they are not eligible for will be removed from the recruitment process and will not be considered for alternative locations.
Please refer to attachments for further terms and flexibilities.
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration.
Methodology and Quality Directorate (MQD)
Methodology and Quality Directorate (MQD) ensures that analysis carried out by ONS and the analysis community across government is aligned with the Statistics Authority’s strategic vision and relevant quality standards. We aim to improve the rigour and cost effectiveness of regular statistical outputs and the quality of data used for both statistical purposes and more widely in government. We provide advice and guidance on best practice and ensure that new methodologies deliver improved statistics. We seek to exploit technology and emerging methodologies to research and develop innovative solutions to new and existing issues. We provide a forward-looking, efficient, professional, and accessible service to our stakeholders.
If you want to hear more about ONS, the MQD Directorate or the role then please come along to our webinar on 11th August at 12:30. We'd love to see you!
Job Description
Our Methodologists help shape the quality, reliability and impact of statistics across government. They lead research projects, develop innovative methods, and provide expert advice to colleagues, policymakers and external partners.
You'll work alongside specialists across ONS, academia, other government departments and international statistical organisations to solve complex analytical challenges and improve the way statistics are produced and used.
Depending on your skills and experience, you'll primarily work within one methodological specialism while having opportunities to contribute to a wide range of projects that support economic, social and population statistics.
Areas Of Expertise Include:
- Analysis and modelling
- Bayesian methods
- Data linkage
- Editing and imputation
- Machine learning
- Qualitative research
- Questionnaire design
- Quality measurement
- Sampling and estimation
- Statistical disclosure control
- Time series analysis
Where could you be based?
We are recruiting across three divisions within the Methodology and Quality Directorate:
Quality and Improvement Division
Improves the quality of statistics and data across government by developing guidance, delivering quality reviews, providing consultancy and building capability through training and cross-government collaboration.
Methods and Statistical Design Division
Ensures ONS statistics are underpinned by robust methodology and high-quality statistical design. The division develops innovative solutions, improves existing methods and helps deliver efficient, trusted statistics.
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Methods and Analysis Capability Division
Supports analytical capability across government by developing technical training, driving innovation in analytical methods and working across the Analysis Function and Government Statistical Service (GSS) to improve statistical standards and collaboration.
What you'll do as an SEO Methodologist
SEO Methodologists typically have experience leading statistical or survey research and may manage or mentor more junior methodologists.
You'll:
- Lead or contribute to methodological research projects
- Apply appropriate analytical and research methods to solve real-world problems
- Develop and improve survey or statistical methodologies
- Communicate findings through reports, presentations and stakeholder engagement
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and customers
- Coach and support colleagues, sharing knowledge and expertise
- Manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs independently
- Contribute to strategic methodological initiatives across ONS
What we're looking for
We're interested in candidates with strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills who enjoy solving problems, working with data and improving the way evidence is produced and used.
Whether your background is in statistics, social research, data science, economics, behavioural science or another analytical discipline, you'll have the opportunity to develop your expertise while working on projects that influence decisions across government.
As an SEO, you'll receive ongoing professional development and support, while being trusted to work independently and apply your expertise to complex methodological challenges.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
For SEO-level Methodologist posts, we require our staff to have the following,
- a mathematical and statistical awareness of a broad range of topics, especially in methods related to the production and development of official statistics, as well as a more in-depth understanding of particular areas.
- a track record of applying knowledge, skills and experience to good effect in a range of projects, establishing a proven approach to investigating methodological issues and being innovative in developing solutions.
- experience of guiding, developing and coaching other analysts and quality assuring their work in order to lead a team effectively.
- experience of managing and delivering multiple projects.
- an aptitude to providing statistical consultancy, with experience of working with customers to establish and meet their needs.
- Computer literacy, with a strong aptitude for programming, including substantial experience in independently developing code to perform statistical and methodological analyses using software such as R, SAS, or Python
Qualifications
Essential
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree or post-graduate degree (conditional offers may be made for predicted grades) in a mathematical, statistical, or data science discipline, or other subject with substantial statistical or quantitative analytical content.
OR
Clearly demonstrated equivalent experience, knowledge or qualifications may also be considered.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Acquiring Data
- Data Analysis
- Presenting and disseminating data effectively
Alongside your salary of £43,644, Office for National Statistics contributes £12,643 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our 5400 valued colleagues across the business.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that the benefits pack attached (bottom of page) will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a member of the Business Disability Forum and a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security Clearance
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
Visa Sponsorship
ONS are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants are expected to hold a valid right to work in the UK when employment commences. If you are applying on a time-limited visa, this will need to be valid for at least 18 months at point of application.
To work at the ONS, candidates must meet both UK right to work and security clearance requirements (where applicable).If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will
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