Principal Data Scientist

Job summary

The Home Office holds responsibility for a wide range of policies covering public safety (crime, policing, fire and public protection), homeland security, and migration and borders. These areas are complex, high profile, fast-paced and at the heart of the Government�s agenda, making Home Office one of the most exciting and stimulating departments to work in.

Home Office Analysis & Insights (HOAI) is a multi-disciplinary directorate including data scientists, economists, statisticians, operational and social researchers, and others. As the analytical authority in Home Office, it delivers high quality analysis and insight across the department, providing objective support to senior leaders, enabling the Department to understand and tackle complex problems, increase operational effectiveness and develop organisational strategy.

This role is based in the Central Analytical Services part of HOAI, which brings a cross-cutting analysis and insight capacity together with a number of capability building and leadership functions. Alongside other colleagues in the Data Science Insights function, you�ll collaborate with analytical professionals across HOAI to identify, initiate and deliver on opportunities to demonstrate new value and glean new insight from data for Home Office policy and operations. You�ll make innovative use of new techniques and new and existing data sets, and by delivering in collaboration with your HOAI colleagues you�ll inspire and stimulate demand for more work like it, and help dispel misconceptions and perceived barriers to such work among your colleagues and stakeholders. In doing so you�ll have significant lasting impact not only through delivering exciting new analytical insights, but by helping to unlock and further build the Department�s data science capability.

Job description

The Data Science Insights team is an innovation and capability building function which champions novel uses of data to unlock new analytical insight which supports the department�s policy and strategic decision making. Through its unique way of working, delivering data science projects in collaboration with other (subject matter focused) analytical teams, the function is also helping to foster a step change in the department�s data science capability by democratising the use of new techniques among these teams.

You�ll have good technical knowledge, skills, and experience from the data science domain, as well as an aptitude for problem solving and ability to bring structure and clarity of thought to complex issues. With your knowledge of techniques, and intrinsic interest in data and technology, you�ll have an eye for opportunities to make new and valuable uses of data to obtain analytical insight, and have the determination and adaptability needed to overcome barriers and drive those opportunities through to fruition. You�ll be an excellent communicator, and a good teacher, with the ability to develop others and bring them on the journey with you as you lead the delivery of data science projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

� Engaging with teams across HOAI, developing understanding of the domains they support, and working with them to identify and guide opportunities for commissions.
� Acting as a data science leader and ambassador for the team, sharing knowledge and providing technical consultation, continually building the profile of the team.
� Leading and overseeing data science project delivery, and providing technical leadership to others, including occasionally overseeing response to urgent ad-hoc requests for analysis, ensuring quality and timely responses to the business.
� Getting hands-on as needed, spending up to half of your time directly on development work.
� Ensuring effective use of Agile to deliver iteratively, and that outputs are always delivered to a high standard, including use of effective Analytical Quality Assurance processes.
� Creating maximum impact from the projects the team delivers, leading / supporting engagement with senior customers and partners to ensure demonstrate the value.
� Line management up to 1-2 data scientists, taking a proactive role in supporting their development, providing mentorship and coaching, etc.
� Keeping up-to-date with relevant new techniques, technologies, policies, initiatives, etc in the broad domain of data science � and continuing to learn and grow your knowledge as needed.�

Once in post, successful candidates who are not existing badged members of either Government Statistical Group (GSG) or Government Operational Research Service (GORS) will have the opportunity and are encouraged to apply for membership of the relevant profession subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.

We encourage applications from candidates who wish to work ; however,�part-time opportunities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to the requirements of the role and business. Candidates wishing to work part-time should notify the vacancy holder as soon as a provisional offer of employment is made, to explore whether this can be accommodated at your selected location.

Person specification

Essential criteria

A first- or second-class honours degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject, or; substantial experience working in quantitative analytical / data science roles and able to demonstrate substantial continuous professional development in data science ( with a Continuous Professional Development log).

You�ll have a demonstrable passion for data science, with the following skills or experience:

Generating / identifying opportunities to use new data sources and apply innovative techniques to solve business problems, translating these into plans for delivery as Agile projects. Working with large or complex data sets including gathering disparate data, performing extensive data manipulation, and engineering reproducible data pipelines. Strong proficiency in Python or R, familiar with software and data engineering essentials, including programming paradigms, source control, testing, and performance optimisation. Problem structuring and ability to distil and explain difficult concepts and complex issues, proactively solving with curiosity of stakeholder�s strategic goals and needs. Confidently communicating technical / analytical findings and recommendations that inform wider decisions in a compelling way to senior technical and non-technical audiences. Strong quantitative analytical skills including experience using a range of data science techniques such as machine learning, network analysis, and text analytics in a real-world setting. Demonstrating a good understanding of data privacy, data protection and the ethical implications of data science. Leading others and setting best practice to develop programming and analysis skills of self and others.

�Desirable criteria

A relevant higher degree, an MSc or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or similar discipline (this is not a definitive list).

Behaviours

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

Leadership Delivering at Pace Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

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

Home Office Data Sciences Framework: Analytics Home Office Data Sciences Framework: Achieve Impact with Analysis

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

Home Office Data Sciences Framework: Analytics

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

�A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements. 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days. Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.�This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office. This role currently attracts annual Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) up to �9,950 - once the candidate is in post, which is subject to approval from the business. This allowance is subject to review and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.