The following advertisement will appear in The Guardian on Wednesday
The Office for National Statistics is responsible for compiling, analysing
and disseminating a wide range of information on society, population,
health, the labour market, business and the economy.
METHODS AND QUALITY DIVISION - CENTRAL METHODOLOGY UNIT
ASSISTANT METHODOLOGIST
(PAY BAND C1)
METHODOLOGIST
(PAY BAND C2)
The Division currently has two vacancies for Methodologists to join a small
team. You will play an important role in promoting the development of
methodology in the ONS and will be involved in work that is expected to
range over many aspects of health and social policy and the labour market.
Previous experience of analysing and modelling health, social, economic or
educational data will be an advantage. If you wish to discuss these posts
in more detail ( John Charlton on 0171 533 6239 or Patrick Heady 0171 533
6240.
For both posts you will need:
? a good first degree (or a postgraduate qualification) in statistics, or in
mathematics or a social science with very strong statistical components;
? proven skills at statistical modelling and programming;
? the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of
disciplines with different levels of statistical expertise, and write
reports.
The salary range for the C1 band is £17,754 to £25,500, and for the C2 band
is £19,320 to 28,844. The starting salary, and the pay band to which you
will be appointed, will depend on your skills, qualifications and
experience.
Further details and an application form for either post can be obtained from
Paul Netti, D4/01, Personnel, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ or ( 0171
533 5006. The closing date for completed application forms is Tuesday 8
December 1998.
ONS is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from
suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of racial origin, sex or
disability. All applications will be treated on merit.
RECRUITMENT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
METHODOLOGISTS (C2)
ASSISTANT METHODOLOGISTS (C1)
ONS
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the government agency
responsible for compiling, analysing and disseminating a wide range of
information - on society, population, health, the labour market, business
and the economy. Additional responsibilities include the statutory
registration of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales and
running the population census carried out every 10 years.
ONS was formed in April 1996 from a merger of the Central Statistical Office
and the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys. The agency is
independent of any other government department and is accountable to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer. The office has about 3,000 staff operating in
London, Newport (Gwent), Runcorn, Southport and Titchfield (Hampshire).
ONS works in partnership with the Government Statistical Service (GSS)
located throughout many Government Departments. Together they provide a
quality statistical service to many users, and this is reflected in the GSS
Mission Statement:
"To provide Parliament, government and the wider community with the
statistical information, analysis and advice needed to improve decision
making, stimulate research and inform debate."
Methods and Quality Division
Methods and Quality Division (MQD) consists of five units: Time Series
Analysis (TSA), Business Statistics Methods Team (BSMT), Classification Unit
(CU), Survey Control and Regulation (SCDU) and Central Methodology Unit
(CMU).
The main aim of the three methodological units (CMU, TSA and BSMT) is to
ensure that ONS uses, and is known to use, the best practicable statistical
methodology and that it measures the quality of its outputs.
The aim is also to strengthen the quality of statistical methods across the
Government Statistical Service as a whole by providing guidance, advice and
training.
The CMU, which is where the vacancies exist, has a general coordinating
function but also gives advice, and carries out specific projects, in
connection with demographic, social, and medical statistics.
About the posts
Both successful candidates will be expected to:
* identify appropriate statistical methods and software for investigating
substantive questions, and implement the analysis.
* design and implement appropriate databases prior to statistical analysis.
* communicate statistical concepts clearly to both colleagues and outside
clients in both written reports and oral presentations
* maintain an active interest in developments in statistical analysis and
assess their possible impact on the units' projects
One of the successful candidates will become a member of a 4-person team
working on social and geographic modelling. Its main current project relates
to small area estimation. The goal is to develop a system that can produce
estimates of the social characteristics of small areas - such as wards and
local authorities - by linking data from national social surveys to census
and administrative statistics from the areas concerned. The project involves
extensive use of multi-level modelling as well as model-assisted techniques
for surveys such as regression estimation. It also involves extensive
data-base manipulation and the interfacing of statistical estimation with a
GIS (a computerised geographical information system). A final aspect of the
project is the production of a full system of documentation as well as of
user-friendly interfaces which will enable other members of ONS staff to
operate the system independently once it is set up. The successful candidate
will be expected to contribute to all aspects of the work - though the
emphasis of the job will be on statistical estimation and the
data-manipulation that supports it.
The other successful candidate will be expected to work on a range of
projects concerned with demographic, social and health topics, as a member
of the CMU's Social and Health Methodology Team. Recent projects include:
analysis on population trends and migration as part of the preparatory work
for the 2001 Census; multi-level regression analysis of psychiatric
morbidity in prisons; cluster analysis of local and health authorities; and
several projects funded by Eurostat. The unit also undertakes activities
aimed at promoting methodology generally across the organisation, such as
lunchtime methodology meetings and publishes a series of Methodology
Monographs.
The Unit has a good deal of contact with academic colleagues, particularly
from Southampton University, Department of Social Statistics, and the
multi-level modelling team at the London University Institute of Education.
Qualifications and experience
For both posts you will need:
* a good first degree (or a postgraduate qualification) in statistics, or in
mathematics or a social science with very strong statistical components;
* proven skill at statistical modelling and programming;
* the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of
disciplines with different levels of statistical expertise, and write
reports.
The level at which the appointment is made will depend on your
qualifications and experience. To obtain a post at the higher level
(Methodologist (C2)) you will need to have at least two years directly
relevant post-graduate experience - either as part of a post-graduate degree
or through working as a statistical analyst and programmer. The point at
which you are appointed within each pay band may also be related to your
previous experience.
Pay
The salary range for the C1 band is £17,754 to £25,500, and for the C2 band
is £19,320 to 28,844. The starting salary, and the pay band to which you
will be appointed, will depend on your skills, qualifications and
experience.
Prospects
In the case of Assistant Methodologists there will be automatic promotion to
Methodologist after the satisfactory completion of 2 years probation and
training. Formal and on-the-job training will be given. Subsequent career
progression will depend on performance.
There may be opportunities to work in methodological posts in other ONS
Divisions, and also to move on to other kinds of statistical and research
work.
*********************************************************************
Requirements
Age
There is no age limit but please note that the retirement age is 60.
Nationality
Candidates must be of either British or Commonwealth nationality, or
citizens of the Irish Republic, or an EEA national. All applicants must
hold, and be able to show, a full work permit which allows them to accept
any employment offered. Working holiday permits will not be accepted.
Health
You will be asked to complete a health declaration and if necessary attend a
medical examination. You should be able to give regular and effective
service for at least one year.
Disabled Persons
The Office for National Statistics operates a guaranteed interview scheme
for disabled people (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995)
who meet the minimum criteria for this appointment as published in these
notes. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please
completed the enclosed form and return it with your application form. In
addition, if you require any special arrangements at interview, please give
details in a covering letter to enable us to make appropriate arrangements,
if necessary.
*********************************************************************
Terms of appointment
* A flexible working week of 36 hours is operated. There may be some
occasion when you are required to work late.
* Interest free loans are available for season travel tickets after the
first 3 months of service.
* Annual leave is 22 days in the first year rising to 25 days after one
year, and 30 days after 15 years for the C1 pay band, and 25 days in the
first year rising to 30 days after 10 years for the C2 pay band. In
addition you will receive 101/2 days public holiday and privilege holidays.
* The normal retirement age in ONS is 60 and at this age all officers are
compulsorily retired, and pension benefits become payable.
* You will be eligible to join the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme,
which is contracted out of the State scheme, although a full range of
benefits will be dependent on your health. It is non-contributory apart from
11/2% of salary for widow's/widower's benefits which is refundable if you
are unmarried when your service ends.
* In certain posts you may be required to inform the ONS of any shares you
hold.
* All grades will serve a two-year probationary period.
*********************************************************************
Sports and Social
There is a gymnasium available for the use of staff and a Sports and Social
Club which staff can join. Outings, sports events, etc. are arranged on a
regular basis.
Selection
The candidates who appear from the information available to have the best
qualifications and experience will be invited to attend an interview. It is
therefore essential that your application form gives a full but concise
description of the experience you have against the competences required for
the posts.
The Selection Board will recommend the candidates considered most suitable
for appointment.
*********************************************************************
Pre-appointment Enquiries
If you are successful, the ONS will carry out enquiries into you
nationality, health and other matters, to ensure that you are qualified for
appointment. When the enquiries are completed satisfactorily, the Office
for National Statistics will make you a formal offer of appointment. You
will be expected to take up post as soon as possible.
*********************************************************************
Applications
Your completed application form should reach us by Tuesday 8 December 1998.
Please note that we will be unable to accept application forms received
after the closing date. Please return your forms to:
Paul Netti, Personnel, Room D4/01, 1 Drummond Gate, London SW1V 2QQ
It is planned to hold the interviews in the week beginning 11 January 1999.
Prior to the interview, short-listed candidates will also be required to
visit the office for half a day on Friday 8 January to take part in a short
written exercise which will last about an hour. Candidates will be given
some data on a common social phenomenon and will be asked to draft a short
paper summarising the information contained in the tables. These papers
will be assessed by the board members as part of the selection process.
Following on from the exercise there will be the opportunity for candidates
to meet some of the staff in the areas and to learn more about the work of
the division.
Unfortunately we do not have the resources to write to unsuccessful
candidates. If you have not heard from us by Friday 8 January 1999 you
should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.
*********************************************************************
Equal Opportunity
The ONS is an equal opportunities employer. It's policy is to provide equal
opportunity for all employees based on ability, qualifications and
suitability for the work. Applications are welcome from all those who fill
the recruitment criteria regardless of ethnic origin, gender or disability.
Applications are particularly encouraged from women, ethnic minorities and
people with disabilities.
J Charlton
195 Warren Road
Chelsfield
Kent
BR6 6ES
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