I would like to draw your attention to the following vacancy at ONS:

Head of Sampling and Research Branch
Vacancy in Consumer Prices & General Inflation Division
SALARY:  £33,765 to £48,959 (Pay Award Pending)
Vacancy Number:  L-340  Closing date 4 March 2002

Job Name:       Head of Sampling and Research Branch
Pay Group:      D2
Directorate:    Economic Statistics Directorate
Group:  Prices & Business Group
Division:       Consumer Prices & General Inflation Division
Branch: Research, Planning & Sampling

Location of Post: London

Job Type:       Full Time

Job Type Description:
 Improving the methodology of the Retail Prices Index and associated
indices. This is a full-time post. and is not open to job share because of
the operational requirements that arise from the integral nature of the
work, the strategic responsibilities and the strong inter-relationships
between different projects and with other work being carried out in the
Division.

Job Summary:

Research and application of methodological improvements to the Retail Prices
Index (RPI) and the European Harmonised Index of Retail Prices (HICP)
involving a wide range of statistical issues with an emphasis on sampling.

The Branch is responsible for improving the methodology of one of the most
important and high profile statistics produced by the Office for National
Statistics. It is actively engaged in a research programme which is aimed at
ensuring that the Retail Prices Index and its European equivalent are free
from statistical bias and are compiled using the best available methodology.
The outputs are of direct interest to the Treasury and Bank of England and
outside the UK to the Statistical Office of the European Community where the
work is of direct relevance to Eurostat's own programme for improving its
harmonised measure of consumer inflation. The work will involve drawing on
and sharing experiences with other statistical offices who face the same
challenges. The Branch also works closely with colleagues in the Methodology
Directorate of ONS and also manages contracts with outside experts.

Key responsibilities are:

researching and making operational recommendations on sample replenishment,
including reviews of locations and outlets chosen for the collection of
prices that are used to compile the index;
to provide advice on the sampling of prices from large retail chains and how
these may be more effectively collected centrally;
consideration of methodologies that could be employed to ensure that the RPI
fully reflects new trends in shopping such as purchases over the internet
and large shopping centres on the edge of towns;
the analysis of the impact of sample design on the measurement of inflation
using different index number formulations and making recommendations on the
practical consequences;
estimating the variance of the index, working in close conjunction with
academia;
 the investigation of new data sources such as scanner data and how these
might be employed;
to provide an input into other work being undertaken on RPI methodology
including a review of adjustments made to reflect changes in the quality of
goods and services purchased;
to provide a strategic overview of the RPI methodological research
programme, jointly manage the programme to achieve value for money when
measured against objectives, advise on future directions;
the management of two junior statisticians and some research contracts plus
liason with other experts including colleagues in the Methodology
Directorate of ONS and those involved in similar issues at othe statistical
agencies.

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

good statistical skills particularly sampling;
strong project management skills;
an appreciation of practical problems associated with data collection and
the ability to deliver practical solutions;
an ability to communicate and work well with colleagues including others
engaged in methodological research and also those responsible for the
monthly production of the RPI and HICP;
an ability to manage and motivate junior staff.

Job specific criteria

1. a strong background in statistics

2. project management skills

3. a good team player

The Division prides itself in putting into practice the principles
underlying Investors in People. We will:
agree a personal development plan that will be reviewed regularly to ensure
skills gaps are identified and addressed;
provide, as standard, induction training on the work of the Division
including the compilation of the RPI and HICP;
give more detailed training where appropriate on specific skills required
for the job, including sampling and index methodology and relevant computing
packages. This will be a mixture of on-the-job training and formal courses

HRD Contact   1 Hilary Porter Phone Number 0207 533 5033
Advertising Line Manager   1            David Fenwick, Director, CPGID
Phone Number:  0207 533 5815   1