Details
Reference number
421805
Salary
£37,300 - £44,191
National pay locations: Manchester, Sheffield £37,300-£39,911; London pay location: Croydon £41,300-£44,191. This post is eligible for a DDaT Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) up to £4000.
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - Digital Data and Technology - Data Services and Analytics (DSA)
Type of role
Analytical
Digital
Operational Research
Statistics
Working pattern
Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
4
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Croydon, Manchester, Sheffield
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Home Office Digital, Data and Technology designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.
Within DDaT, the Data Services and Analytics (DSA) team find innovative uses for Home Office data and contains one of the most advanced data analytics centres in Government. We strive to lead the way in appropriate and proportionate use of data and analytics to deliver joined-up, intelligent services that unlock the value from data and improve decision making, policy and operations.
What this means is a daily opportunity to work with teams across Home Office areas of responsibility, from borders, visas and passports, to policing and national security, with some of the largest and most varied datasets and in support of critical national initiatives.
DSA team consists of technical and non-technical professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds; we are the hub of data expertise within the department. We support our teams with structured learning, both formal and on-the-job, mentoring and feedback.
By joining DSA now, you can help drive forward our aim to become recognised as the leading provider of data insight services in Government.
Job description
Data Scientists work to develop their technical ability whilst adhering to core Data Science ethical frameworks. As a Data Scientist, you will have a recognised technical ability in a number of data science specialisms and provide detailed technical advice on your area of expertise. You will draw on other technical and ethical standards from across government and industry. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside Data Architects, Data Engineers and Data Analysts, clearly communicating the value of Data Science to all stakeholders. You will promote and present data science work both within and outside of the organisation. You will be engaged with, and actively contribute to, the Data Science community and be comfortable with mentoring to upskill junior staff.
Please note: A professional qualification is not required to apply for this role. Existing civil servants from the Government Operational Research (GORS) profession will be able to maintain their professional badging if applying on level transfer. If interested, other candidates meeting eligibility criteria can obtain GORS badging following appointment.
Key Responsibilities
• Using data science techniques to solve problems and create products which have an impact on Home Office operations.
• Writing simple code and scripts, using agreed standards and tools.
• Presenting your analysis to a wide variety of audiences.
• Developing knowledge of new techniques and sharing this with other team members.
• Ensuring that our products adhere to core data science ethical principles.
Working Pattern
This role is available on a full-time basis with the options of job-share and compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours.
Person specification
Essential criteria
You should have demonstrable skills or experience in:
• Conducting exploration and pre-processing of data in common formats.
• Researching and applying data science techniques to provide insights in a real-world or academic setting (e.g. text analytics, machine learning, data matching).
• Using python or R to deliver analytical work.
• Clearly communicating findings and making recommendations, using media tailored to the audience.
• Demonstrating awareness of data governance and data ethics in your work.
The essential criteria listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework- Use the levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed). Please see below for the relevant skills for your role:
Strategy and Architecture:
• Strategy and Planning
o Innovation (INOV) – Level 2
Development and Implementation:
• Systems Development
o Programming / Software Development (PROG) – Level 2
• Data and Analytics
o Data Modelling and Design (DTAN) – Level 2 [note: this skill relates to 'Data Management' (SFIA)]
o Data Science (DATS) – Level 3
Skills and Quality:
• Quality and Conformance
o Professional Standards and Quality – Level 3 [note: this skill relates to 'Quality Assurance' (SFIA)]
Relationships and Engagement:
• Stakeholder Management
o Achieve Impact with Analysis – Level 2 [note: this skill relates to 'Achieving Impact with Analysis' (GORS)'
Desirable criteria
Ideally you will also have the following skills or some experience in:
• Applying quality assurance, data handling, security and privacy best practices in multi-disciplinary agile teams.
• Working with customers and stakeholders, visualising and presenting analysis to inform decision making.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Changing and Improving
* Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* SFIA: Development and Implementation: Data and Analytics - Data Science (DATS) – Level 3
* GORS: Achieving Impact with Analysis – Level 2
* SFIA Development and Implementation: Systems Development - Programming / Software Development (PROG) – Level 2
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
* SFIA: Development and Implementation: Data and Analytics - Data Science (DATS) – Level 3
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
* This post is eligible for DDaT Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) of up to £4000. Successful candidates with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a Recruitment Retention Allowance. This allowance is subject to an initial review within 6 months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in line with departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
* 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.
* See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
1. Application – by 1st September 2025
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
* CV.
* Personal Statement (maximum 750 words).
* Evidence of the Technical Skill SFIA: Development and Implementation: Data and Analytics - Data Science (DATS) – Level 3 that aligns to the SFIA Framework (Maximum 250 words).
Your CV should consist of your career history and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV and Personal Statement), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
1. Sift – week commencing 1st September 2025
The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and Technical Skill.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Technical Skill SFIA: Development and Implementation: Data and Analytics - Data Science (DATS) – Level 3. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the CV and Personal Statement.
1. Interview – week commencing 29th September 2025
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours and Technical Skills based questions.
For guidance on the Technical skills, please refer to both the SFIA framework and GORS Technical Framework - GOV.UK.
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews.
The presentation will be assessed against the Technical Skills as listed in the job advertisement, specifically SFIA: Development and Implementation: Data and Analytics - Data Science (DATS) – Level 3 and SFIA: Development and Implementation: Systems Development - Programming / Software Development (PROG) – Level 2.
The interview will take place on Teams.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you've made a mistake on an initial application, please contact, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Location Preferences
You can select up to three locations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred location(s) and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.
Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further Information
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Serviceon your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
* Complete the "Assistance Required" section in the "Additional Requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .
See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission