62874 - Data Scientist
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Who are we?
The YJB is the public body which advises Ministers, including the Secretary of State for Justice on the youth justice system. Our ambition is to see a Child First youth justice system. A system which looks to children’s’ strengths and supports children to become the best version of themselves. To this effect we engage with a wide variety of organisations, partners and parties with an interest in youth justice, we share good practice, champion improvement and issue grants.
Our recruitment is based on merit, we welcome applications from all who can commit to our vision and values, we offer considerable flexibility in how you work and expect commitment and flexibility in return. We continue to strive for equality, diversity and inclusion in our culture and our staff group to this end we encourage applications from those people with traditional protected characteristics. Our staff are public servants, eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme and we are accredited by the Civil Service Commission. This means applications from across Civil Service Departments, their agencies and Arms-Length Bodies are treated as internal applicants. We also welcome applications from those who do not work in these bodies.
Our Vision
Working to ensure a youth justice system that sees children as children, treats them fairly and helps them to build on their strengths so they can make a constructive contribution to society. This will prevent offending and create safer communities with fewer victims.
Aims of the Youth Justice System
Prevention of offending by children and young people:
- To reduce the number of children in the youth justice system
- To reduce reoffending by children in the youth justice system
- To improve the safety and wellbeing of children in the youth justice system
- To improve outcomes of children in the youth justice system
Summary
YJB is the only public body with oversight of the whole youth justice system. Research and evidence are key to our understanding of the youth justice landscape. This supports effective decision making, gives assurance to ministers that our advice has a solid evidence base and supports the achievement of our strategic objectives.
The Business Intelligence and Insights Directorate gathers and interprets information from a range of sources (including data, research, and wider intelligence). This information supports: the YJB’s oversight of the Youth Justice System (YJS), helps us to understand how the system is operating and whether it is achieving its aims, and helps to identify future opportunities and challenges for children and the YJS. The directorate leads the organisation in gathering, developing and using data and evidence well.
Job Description
We are seeking an innovative Data Scientist with the technical skills to mine key data elements from published literature or other sources of information about youth justice by developing algorithms and tools and deploying these across diverse data sources. We seek someone with experience and expertise in linking data from multiple systems and the skills and ability to explore and visualise data to present the ‘story’ of data in a meaningful way to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.
You will:
- Have a demonstrable knowledge and understanding of a range of cloud-based tools and technologies, including AWS.
- Develop strong infrastructure skills to reveal information hidden away in unstructured data (scanned documents, email conversations, audio conversation) and turn it into actionable insights. search for, prioritise and mine information sources relating to youth justice derived from them across diverse youth justice domains.
- Source, access, manipulate and engineer data processes with large volumes of varied data.
- Work collaboratively across the directorate, the organisation and the youth justice sector to understand our evidence and to make sure it is fit-for-purpose.
- Enable a culture of evidence-based decision making and innovation in the sector.
- Adhere to the data science ethics framework to ensure fair, transparent, auditable and accountable automated decision making.
- Promote data science skills in the Evidence and Insights team and the understanding of how they can be most effectively applied to solve business problems.
All posts within the YJB operate flexibly to ensure the requirements of the business are met and as such you may be required to undertake other duties in their role or duties in other parts of the business at their grade to meet business priorities.
You will expect to work within a matrix management approach often undertaking regular tasks alongside providing project support to wider programmes; you will be expected to take on corporate responsibilities in addition to your role.
- In carrying out your duties you will respect the YJBs commitment to equality of opportunity and the diversity of the YJB and its stakeholders.
- You will make sure you understand and adhere to your responsibilities in relation to health and safety and data protection.
Main Responsibilities
- Use a range of coding practices to build data products for a range of users, applying innovative techniques and a range of analytical approaches.
- Develop and deliver dashboards, to present the latest quantitative analysis and qualitative insights relevant to the Youth Justice Landscape.
- Bring together expert analysis, data visualisation and data science, and will provide a unique insight into the workings of Youth Justice system at the very highest level.
- Use technical skills to mine key data elements from published literature or other sources of information about youth justice by developing algorithms and tools and deploying these across diverse data sources.
- Manage multiple competing priorities, effectively identify and solve technical challenges as well as strong analytical ability.
- Identify and improve data product performance by selecting the most appropriate tools and technologies.
- Communicate and disseminate data products to varying audiences across the Youth Justice System.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience in analysing data to draw new insight and present it to stakeholders
- Proficiency in Python programming.
- Have a demonstrable knowledge and understanding of a range of cloud-based tools and technologies, including AWS, and the role of data integration and data process-flow.
- Experience with visualising various types of data in Tableau and Power BI.
- Good working knowledge of statistical software such as R and/or SQL.
- Knowledge and skills in one of the following areas – applied statistics, Machine Learning, graph theory, pattern analysis or related.
- Proficiency in two or more languages (Python, C++, JavaScript, Go) and willingness to learn more as needed.
- Strong communication skills – especially being able to explain complex solutions to non-experts, translating data-driven insights into decisions and actions.
Desirable Skills
• Comfortable working with large amounts of data or varying formats and types
• Agile ways of working
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Technical Skills, Abilities, Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
The assessment process will be made up of two parts:
- Application
- Interview
Application
Please provide:
- A statement demonstrating in no more than 250 words the lead behaviour Communicating & Influencing
- A statement, no more than 1000 words, which sets out your suitability for the role. This should include how you meet the essential and desirable skills above and essential Technical and Ability criteria (outlined below).
Essential Criteria
Technical:
- Professional qualification e.g. Computer Science, Data Science degree.
- Membership of (or willingness to obtain when in post) an analytical profession such as GSG, GORS.
- Technical skills as described in GAF Technical Skills and at the end of this job description.
Ability:
- Proficient in Python/R/SQL
- Proficiency in two or more languages (Python, C++, JavaScript, Go) and willingness to learn more as needed
- Proficient in MS Office suite, including advanced Excel skills.
- Proficient in data visualisation tools, such as Power BI/Tableau.
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of cloud-based tools, such as AWS.
Interview
The interview will be a blended interview with a presentation and focus on:
- GAF technical skills and behaviour;
- Civil Service behaviours: Communicating & Influencing (Lead), Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
- Strengths as described in the Success Profiles (this is a very particular style of interview please make sure you make yourself aware of these in advance).
- The interview will include a GAF Key Skills presentation. Further details on presentation will be provided nearer the time.
Contact for information:
Rhian Manley (email: Rhian.Manley@yjb.gov.uk; Phone: 07929712426)
Civil Service Behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing (Lead)
Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand. Take into account people’s individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required. Consider the impact of the language used. Remain open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others. Introduce different methods for communication, including making the most of digital resources whilst getting value for money. Monitor the effectiveness of own and team communications and take action to improve where necessary.
- Seeing the Big Picture
Develop and maintain an understanding of economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to ensure activity is relevant. Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies. Adopt a government wide perspective to ensure alignment of activity and policy. Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities.
- Working Together
Encourage joined up team-work within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Technical skills Summary
Government Analytical Function Data Analyst Key Skills;
- Programming and build - Practitioner
- Data Science Innovation – Expert
- Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices – Expert
- Ethics and privacy – Practitioner
- Developing data science capability - Practitioner
- Delivering business impact – Practitioner
- Data engineering and manipulation – Expert
- Understanding product delivery across the life cycle - Practitioner
Benefits of working for the Youth Justice Board
- Opportunity to work in an organisation that seeks to make a positive difference to the lives of children at risk of entering and within the youth justice system
- Family friendly policies including flexible working opportunities. Many of our staff combine working from our offices in either London or Wales with working from home; compressed hours, part-time working
- Civil Service Pension Scheme, and/or continuous service transfer of Civil Service Pension Scheme as applicable
- Annual leave of 25 days per annum plus public holidays (or for those transferring directly from Civil Service Departments, their Agencies, Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs) and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) we will match current annual leave entitlement, up to 30 days)
- As an accredited NDPB we can accept your continuous service from other Civil Service departments their agencies and ALBs/NDBPs
- Special recognition bonus scheme
- Special leave for unplanned emergencies and for voluntary work
- Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support and advice for personal and work issues and occupational health
- Health and well-being initiatives such as flu-vaccinations
- Free eye tests and eyecare vouchers for VDU workers
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Regular professional development
- Professional HR Case Management support for managers
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on UKor Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
26/08/2022, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· 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 (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.