Office for National Statistics
Senior Health and Safety Practitioner - Census 2031
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This role requires regular attendance at an ONS office, with a minimum of 2-3 days per week worked on site. The location for this role is Titchfield (Fareham).
The postholder will be expected to work in the office on a regular basis to undertake in-person activities. This level of attendance will apply for most of the programme, although requirements may vary at different stages, with periods of increased or reduced on-site working in response to census priorities, delivery phases and business need.
The induction process for the role will be conducted in person.
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK's largest producer of official statistics and home to over 5,000 colleagues. We create the data that drives decisions, from measuring economic growth and tracking population changes to informing policy on everything from housing to healthcare. Our statistics don't just sit in reports; they directly influence how billions of pounds are allocated, how services are planned, and how communities are supported across the country.
Census 2031 represents our most ambitious data collection project yet – a once-in-a-decade opportunity to capture a complete picture of everyone living in England and Wales. Building on the digital success of 2021, we're pioneering new ways to reach every household and community, ensuring no one is left uncounted. This vital work will provide the foundation for policy decisions, resource allocation, and community planning for the next decade.
Your work will support delivery of this transformational project that will shape how we understand and support our nation's future. You’ll be part of a team that ensures everyone is counted—and every voice is heard. We're building a culture that values collaboration, fresh thinking, and respect for diverse expertise. Whether you're a seasoned professional or bringing new perspectives, you'll be part of a team that welcomes bold ideas, works transparently, and thrives on solving complex challenges together.
Job Description
Are you ready to be part of something that shapes the future of our nation? Do you thrive on variety, enjoy working with lots of teams, and want to make a real difference? If so, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
The post holder will be responsible for leading and coordinating health and safety provision for the Census 2031 nationwide field data collection operation.
This role ensures that Health & Safety risks to field colleagues and managers are identified, assessed and controlled, and that the field procedures (including recruitment, training, logistics and operations) are compliant with relevant H&S legislation and organisational policy.
Reporting to the G7 Census HR Operations Lead, the Health and Safety Advisor acts as a bridge between the Census 2031 Programme’s Field Services and commercial function, as well as ONS’ corporate Health and Safety function, Social Surveys Directorate and People & Places Directorate.
Building on and modifying processes already established in ONS’ Social Surveys Field teams, the role shapes the Health & Safety requirements for the Census Field operation (and supporting services) and oversees the Health and Safety of the field operation in the 2027 Census Test, the 2029 Census Rehearsal and the 2031 Census operations. In 2027, the field teams are planned to be c450 posts, based in 6 Test Areas. In 2031, the field teams are likely to be up to 30,000 Field Officers and Managers, dispersed across England and Wales.
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Role Responsibilities
Working in support of Field Service Owners and other senior leaders, you will use your leadership and H&S technical skills and experience to:
- Lead the development, implementation, assurance and continuous improvement of Health and Safety arrangements for Census field operations, ensuring compliance with legislation, organisational policy and industry best practice.
- Provide expert health and safety advice to senior leaders, operational managers and field teams, supporting effective management of operational, wellbeing and regulatory risks.
- Develop and maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work, guidance, controls and implementation plans, to support the safe delivery of Census field activities.
- Ensure effective controls are in place for key operational risks, including (but not restricted to) lone working, personal safety, travel, adverse weather, and out-of-hours working.
- Support statutory compliance and operational readiness by ensuring field colleagues have access to appropriate training, information, equipment, supervision, emergency arrangements and welfare support.
- Oversee health and safety governance, conducting audits and assurance checks to ensure arrangements are suitably applied and managed.
- Implement and oversee incident and near-miss management, providing trend analysis, assurance reporting, compliance monitoring and implementing lessons learned.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including trade unions, contractors, partner organisations and corporate health and safety teams, to promote practical and inclusive health and safety arrangements.
- Produce and present risk updates, assurance reports and recommendations to governance forums and senior leaders, maintaining clear records and audit trails to support effective decision-making.
- Advise commercial colleagues on H&S requirements for Census contracts to ensure H&S requirements are included where applicable and that liability is correctly attributed and documented.
The role is embedded in the Census 2031 programme and is required to work across the Census Field Services teams, with a dotted line into the corporate Health and Safety team, ensuring that Census Field H&S processes and procedures are aligned with the corporate ONS policies.
There may be some requirement to attend corporate H&S meetings and events on occasion.
The field team for 2031 is likely to be around 30,000 field officers, spread across England and Wales, and this role will ensure that all officers have access to adequate health and safety provision.
Are you ready to be part of something that shapes the future of our nation? Do you thrive on variety, enjoy working with lots of teams, and want to make a real difference? If so, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
The post holder will be responsible for leading and coordinating health and safety provision for the Census 2031 nationwide field data collection operation.
This role ensures that Health & Safety risks to field colleagues and managers are identified, assessed and controlled, and that the field procedures (including recruitment, training, logistics and operations) are compliant with relevant H&S legislation and organisational policy.
Reporting to the G7 Census HR Operations Lead, the Health and Safety Advisor acts as a bridge between the Census 2031 Programme’s Field Services and commercial function, as well as ONS’ corporate Health and Safety function, Social Surveys Directorate and People & Places Directorate.
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Building on and modifying processes already established in ONS’ Social Surveys Field teams, the role shapes the Health & Safety requirements for the Census Field operation (and supporting services) and oversees the Health and Safety of the field operation in the 2027 Census Test, the 2029 Census Rehearsal and the 2031 Census operations. In 2027, the field teams are planned to be c450 posts, based in 6 Test Areas. In 2031, the field teams are likely to be up to 30,000 Field Officers and Managers, dispersed across England and Wales.
Skills
Working in support of Field Service Owners and other senior leaders, you will use your leadership and H&S technical skills and experience to:
- Lead the development, implementation, assurance and continuous improvement of Health and Safety arrangements for Census field operations, ensuring compliance with legislation, organisational policy and industry best practice.
- Provide expert health and safety advice to senior leaders, operational managers and field teams, supporting effective management of operational, wellbeing and regulatory risks.
- Develop and maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work, guidance, controls and implementation plans, to support the safe delivery of Census field activities.
- Ensure effective controls are in place for key operational risks, including (but not restricted to) lone working, personal safety, travel, adverse weather, and out-of-hours working.
- Support statutory compliance and operational readiness by ensuring field colleagues have access to appropriate training, information, equipment, supervision, emergency arrangements and welfare support.
- Oversee health and safety governance, conducting audits and assurance checks to ensure arrangements are suitably applied and managed.
- Implement and oversee incident and near-miss management, providing trend analysis, assurance reporting, compliance monitoring and implementing lessons learned.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including trade unions, contractors, partner organisations and corporate health and safety teams, to promote practical and inclusive health and safety arrangements.
- Produce and present risk updates, assurance reports and recommendations to governance forums and senior leaders, maintaining clear records and audit trails to support effective decision-making.
- Advise commercial colleagues on H&S requirements for Census contracts to ensure H&S requirements are included where applicable and that liability is correctly attributed and documented.
The role is embedded in the Census 2031 programme and is required to work across the Census Field Services teams, with a dotted line into the corporate Health and Safety team, ensuring that Census Field H&S processes and procedures are aligned with the corporate ONS policies.
There may be some requirement to attend corporate H&S meetings and events on occasion.
The field team for 2031 is likely to be around 30,000 field officers, spread across England and Wales, and this role will ensure that all officers have access to adequate health and safety provision.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Proven experience leading H&S initiatives in a large-scale operational environment, providing clear H&S
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