Overview
The National Statistician is the expert adviser to the Government and the Authority Board on statistics and the head of the GSS. As set out in the 2007 Act, the National Statistician is the Board's principal adviser on the quality of official statistics, good practice in relation to official statistics, and the comprehensiveness of official statistics. The post has an important role in ensuring the trustworthiness of the statistical system used to inform UK government policy and leading the community of statisticians and analysts throughout government to deliver for the public good.
Responsibilities
* Provide expert statistical and methodological advice to the UK Statistics Authority Board, ONS Permanent Secretary, Parliament, ministers, the Cabinet Secretary and other senior officials on the production, dissemination and use of statistics across government.
* Work in partnership with the UK Statistics Authority Board to deliver its strategic priorities. This will include working with the ONS Permanent Secretary to support the ONS's recovery plans for core economic statistics and surveys, restoring capability and user confidence in its outputs. The National Statistician will focus on strategic methodological and statistical issues within ONS.
* Set a clear vision and standards for the GSS, demonstrating integrity and commanding the confidence of its members and users alike. Embrace the GSS Vision and help build statistical and analytical capability across the system.
* Build and maintain excellent relations with the Authority's independent regulator, the OSR, and its Director General for Regulation, working collaboratively while respecting its independence. OSR sets the standards official statistics must meet in the Code of Practice for Statistics and provides public assurance on whether statistics comply with the Code.
* Promote best practice and compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics (and its pillars of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value) across the ONS and the GSS.
* Embrace innovation and address shared challenges across the UK and internationally (e.g. data gaps, statistical coherence, and technological advancements).
* Chairing the Inter-Administration Committee to work collaboratively with the Devolved Governments to deliver statistics the nation needs to support decision-making and you will represent the UK on the international statistical stage to share best practice and support the global good of statistics.
* Hold membership of the Civil Service top leadership cadre and the opportunity for strong networks with other senior advisers working in Government and the Civil Service.
Qualifications and experience
* A statistical expert with extensive professional knowledge and experience of statistics: you should be a credible and passionate advocate for statistics and have a proven track record of sound knowledge and experience in statistics and/or methodology and statistical research.
* Excellent analytical skills at the strategic level coupled with a strong intellect, with a track record and established profile as an authority and leader in the field of evidence and analysis, and a good understanding of the changing digital environment.
* Evidence of deploying professional skills in a way that commands the respect of statisticians, a thorough understanding of official statistics and how they serve the needs of a range of users including the public, Parliament and government.
* Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain and communicate the importance of statistics to a range of stakeholders including Parliamentarians, the media and the general public. Able to operate credibly on the international stage.
* Exceptional leadership and influencing skills, with a proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder relationships and navigate potentially conflicting interests to gain confidence of ministers, Parliament, the public. This includes a track record of raising standards and improving services by effectively motivating others and ensuring the development of user-focused products while maintaining technical quality.
Security, independence and values
Security Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks. To help you succeed in this role, you must have a strong commitment to the Civil Service values of impartiality, honesty, integrity and objectivity, and be committed to the independence of statistical production from Government.
Other information
* Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
* Alongside your salary of £200,000, the Office for National Statistics contributes £57,940 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* Learning and development tailored to your role
* An environment with flexible working options
* A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Application documents
* Your CV, with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, including an explanation of any gaps in your employment history, and details where possible of budgets and numbers of people.
* A short covering statement of no more than two A4 sized pages (1000 words) explaining why this appointment interests you and how you can evidence your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the 'relevant experience' section.
* A Diversity Questionnaire: The Civil Service is committed to achieving a workforce that reflects the society it serves. This form will not be disclosed to anyone involved in assessing your application. Please note that applications will not be accepted unless the form is completed. If you do not wish to provide a response to a particular question, you should complete the 'prefer not to say' option.
* A completed Declaration of Interests form. Please note that applications will not be accepted unless the form is returned. Details of two referees - these will only be contacted for shortlisted candidates, and not without prior notice.
* For further details on the recruitment process please see the attached candidate pack.
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