Schemes

Government Statistical Service

With a growing demand for analytical services, a career in statistics puts you at the heart of decision making for the public good in government

Duration

3.5 years

Salary

£31,186

Location

UK-wide

About

The GSS is an independent body working together to provide the evidence and insight required by decision makers.

Roles in the GSS support the production of 'official' statistics alongside analysis and advice, providing a firm evidence base for decision making for the public good both inside and outside of government.

There is more information on 'official' statistics here

As a GSS fast streamer you will be joining the Government Statistical Service's flagship development scheme for our future senior statistical leaders.

Over the 3.5 year scheme you will be involved in a range of statistical work and analytical, for example, working with different data sets, creating surveys, disseminating and communicating statistics to non-analysts, across a number of different government departments as you build up the skills and knowledge needed to progress to senior leadership roles in the GSS and across the civil service.

For more information about the GSS please visit Government Statistical Service and Statistician Group.

The GSS is also part of the wider Analysis Function, a vibrant community of 16,000 cross government analysts working with colleagues to ensure policy is evidence based. You can read more here

Requirements

You need to be eligible to work in the UK
You need a 2:1 Honours degree in a subject containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar);
or A higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar);

What will you experience?

Your roles will consist of a combination of:

Collection and analysis of data and the publication of statistics including taking early responsibility of work strands to develop your leadership and technical capability
Research into new data sources, methodologies and techniques to improve statistical outputs
User engagement: identifying customer needs and ensuring research is fit for purpose
Working with policy teams to provide evidence-based analysis demonstrating your leadership and capability
Data science roles, finding new ways to extract value from data
Taking personal responsibility, from your 1st post and throughout the programme, to fulfil your broader leadership potential in a Statistics environment

Your progression through the programme

Year 1 - In your first year you'll work in a government department. You will work on projects like; research and analysis of data, developing new data sources, user engagement, working in policy teams, data science roles etc… You will use your statistical skills to innovate and solve problems in data management and analysis using a range of software packages and analytical techniques.

Year 2 - You will move into a new Government Department in another statistics-based role. You will have more challenge and opportunity to further develop your leadership capability. You can expect to see your analysis being used by decision makers in government and industry. You may often be required to give advice and inform policy decisions.

Year 3 - You will undertake either a 6-month 'complementary' posting in a further government department or a 'secondment' posting. A complementary posting is working in an area different to statistics such as policy or finance. A secondment is working in either a private sector organisation or a charity/not for profit organisation. Which would be most suitable for you will be based on your development needs, previous posting experience whilst on the scheme and any previous employment and experience prior to joining the Fast Stream. You will then finish the scheme moving in to an 12 month posting in another government department.

Year 4 - . A continuation of your 12 month posting undertaking a role that will firmly test the statistical and leadership skills you have developed throughout the programme. Upon successful completion of the scheme you will have the opportunity to be promoted to a Grade 7 position.

Supporting your learning

There will be a wide range of activities to support your learning and development in your roles. You won't be expected to have in-depth knowledge of all areas on day one.

Your formal learning offer will consist of:

Leadership and Management training
Access to a structured analytical learning and development curriculum
Training in coding/computing techniques (e.g. Python and R)

Up to £55k

Starting Salary - £31,186
Capability assessed salary increases throughout the scheme
Towards the end of Year 4, you will complete your End of Scheme Assessment. If successful, you will be promoted off the scheme, either into a role you have identified or into a priority permanent role allocated by the scheme. In your role on graduation from the scheme, you could earn between £45k and £55k.

What benefits will you enjoy?

You'll have a unique chance to work on issues that really make a difference to citizens
The skills you will develop are highly valued and transferable, with the ever-increasing demand for analytical services
Membership of the Government Statistician Group (GSG), our professional group for statisticians
Corporate membership of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS).
Part of a wider analytical community, the Analysis Function across the civil service.
Access to a structured analytical learning and development curriculum
Statistician led problem solving events across different cohorts of statistical fast streamers.
Possible opportunity for international posting.
Gain valuable experience across a range of government departments and other public bodies
Networking opportunities within and across cohorts.
Cohort days led and delivered by fellow fast streamers.
Up to £1000 bursary available in year three and/or four for relevant learning and development
Successful completion of the scheme and promotion will see you earn around £45k to £62k and the skills and leadership experiences you will access whilst on the scheme will give you the opportunity to reach more senior leadership roles faster enabling long-term career progression.
Highly competitive pension
25 days of annual leave, rising to 30, with 10 days of national holidays and privilege days
You'll be working for an employer committed to hiring from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Learning and Development on the Government Statistical Service Scheme

Alongside the scheme-specific learning offer, you will complete the universal training which provides core foundation skills and leadership & management skills.

Application process

Online assessments

The online assessments consist of Work Style Questionnaires, a multimedia Situational Judgement Questionnaire, Numerical Test and Work Based Scenarios.

Assessment centre

If you pass the online assessments, you'll be invited to undertake a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually on line. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist a leadership scenario, a team scenario and a written scenario. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.

Final selection

If you are successful at the assessment centre, you'll be invited to take part in a final selection process.

The specialist assessments will assess your broad capabilities and motivation to be part of the profession you've chosen. You'll be sent detailed guidance before the assessment to explain what is involved.