The Team:

The No10 data science team, 10DS, offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop your career personally and within the Civil Service. Formed in mid-2020, 10DS is here to radically improve the way in which key decisions are informed by data, analysis and evidence. We do this by:

• Enabling No10 to utilise the best available evidence by combining cutting-edge data science with clear, engaging communication throughout the policy and decision-making process, ensuring that the Prime Minister and staff are intelligent customers of analysis, and embedding a culture of evidence-informed policy
• Provoking positive change across central government through providing challenge and feedback, and collaborating across Whitehall to drive long-term systems change and collectively solve the most pressing policy challenges

We actively encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, as we see the value in housing a wide range of skillsets across the team. Our current team members bring experience from a host of industries, including management consulting, technology, and academia.

The role:

As data scientist and economist, you will be instrumental in the success of priority economic policy, from tackling the cost-of-living to raising living standards across the country. You will own and shape the journey of data from source to use by system leaders, exercising significant range in the techniques you choose to deploy.

You will work closely with colleagues in No10 and across government collect data, conduct high quality analysis, create engaging visualisations and develop insights, all to inform critical decision making. Our customers include senior ministers, the Prime Minister and Civil Service leaders.

You will also contribute to the cross-government data science community, engaging with a range of stakeholders to champion the value of data science. 10DS has a strong programme of technological development, drawing on capabilities in Python and cloud computing.

10DS are strongly committed to learning and development, and are more interested in your aptitude and attitude than pre-existing expertise. Significant on-the-job training, mentorship and support can be provided for the right applicant.

Main responsibilities:

• Developing innovative and interactive visualisation tools to communicate economic data and analysis
• Establishing data flows and pipelines from a wide range of sources across Whitehall by establishing relationships and promoting use of rAPId
• Presenting evidence to the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, Special Advisors and senior civil servants
• Establishing and maintaining strong networks across government relevant to your policy area
• Applying advanced analytical techniques and machine learning (including natural language processing) to extract policy and delivery relevant insight from data

If you are interested but feel you don't yet meet every requirement, please apply. We value enthusiasm, aptitude for growth, and diversity of thought and experience, along with the skills and experience outlined.

You will be able to competently demonstrate:

• Strong numeracy and experience deploying a range of analytical techniques
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex information into meaningful, easily understood narrative for non-analytical audiences. Extensive experience briefing and influencing senior leaders, including but not limited to senior-level stakeholders, C-suite executives, ministers, and top officials.
• Strong understanding of key economic concepts
• Experience working with economic data
• Experience of working effectively at pace
• Strong interest in use of data and evidence to drive better outcomes
• Strong attention to detail, particularly in producing polished presentation materials and rigorous analysis
• Excellent data visualisation skills

Essential Skills/Experience:

• The ability to work at pace in a complex multi-stakeholder environment, driving progress in the face of a range of competing views and priorities
• Policy and strategic analysis skills that can be deployed flexibly across a wide range of priorities
• Highly developed communication and networking skills, an ability to build strong relationships and operate with senior stakeholders across government, and skills to translate complex information into meaningful, easily understood narratives

The following are desirable (but proficiency can be developed in post):

• Experience in health or education policy or delivery
• Coding in Python
• Use of GitHub
• Coding best practice – structuring, commenting and documenting code, developing and deploying reusable components, incorporating tests, validation and error handling
• Experience working with databases, structured and unstructured data, and large-volume raw operational data

On the job training can be provided, however pay will be commensurate with technical experience as per the DDaT allowance process.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership

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

• Data science and coding skills
• Data visualisation and presenting analysis

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Job contact :

• Name : 10DS Recruitment
• Email : DataScienceRecruitment@no10.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk