Sandwich Year Placements 2025 - GSS - AO

Have you got a naturally curious mind, keen to find solutions?
Are you studying a numerate degree?
Are you interested in pursuing a career in statistics in the data analytical field?

If the answer is yes, we have an exciting opportunity for you in the Government Statistical Service.

You could be spending your university sandwich placement year in one of our departments across the UK, working at the heart of government, in roles that really make a difference, including;
• Supporting the transport network and infrastructure to keep the UK on the move
• Safeguarding our natural environment to sustain a thriving rural economy
• Supporting immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism and police

The Government Statistical Service (GSS) collects, analyses and publishes official statistics to help government, business, and the public understand the current state of the UK economy and society. We are a community for all civil servants working in the collection, production and communication of official statistics. They are spread across most UK government departments and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The numbers and analysis we produce are at the centre of the stories that make the news and affect our lives. In the GSS you will use your expertise and develop data science skills to tackle the big issues affecting society. Your relevant and timely advice will contribute to the GSS vision of "Better Statistics, Better Decisions."

Join us, and you'll be part of a small and select team who are able to influence the decisions of policy makers at over 30 departments.

There may be opportunities in the following departments;

• Department for Works and Pensions (DWP)
• Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
• Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (OFSTED)
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
• Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
• Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)
• Ministry of Defence (MOD)
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Job description

The work is high profile and you might find yourself working with requests from Ministers and other senior officials. You will work with existing team members focusing on research work which will form part of larger projects. This role may also include:

• Being exposed to multiple arms of government such as central policy, delivery of frontline services, finance and long term strategy;
• Working with a variety of professions including analysts, policy, delivery and IT specialists
• Working in a government environment which promotes a healthy work-life balance and encourages learning and development
• Joining a community of placement students and network across the GSS

We have year-long placement opportunities in locations across the UK (some roles may be offered on a slightly shorter/longer period than 12 months).

These placements are an opportunity for you to put into practice the techniques you have learnt during your studies within a working environment. You will work with others, including Data Scientists to learn new techniques and understand how the work across the GSS influences and shapes policy decision making.

You will have the opportunity to learn the skills required for professional life whilst working for the GSS which has been ranked as one of the top graduate employers in the country (rated by the graduates themselves).
If you enjoy your time with us as a sandwich placement we would love you to make this a full-time career. As part of your placement you will be fully supported in your development to help you apply for any related external recruitment campaigns in the future. Many successful students secure a job offer during their placement ready for when they have graduated - a fantastic opportunity not to be missed.

For details of longer term career development opportunities - https://analysisfunction.civilservice.gov.uk/government-statistical-service-and-statistician-group/

* Candidates who are offered a placement may also be invited to apply for a permanent role as a Statistical Officer in Government. To do this, candidates who are on track to successfully complete their placement will be given a Fast Pass through the application process and invited to undertake the Statistical Officer Assessment. This consists of the GSS online test and if successful, candidates will be offered an interview to assess their suitability for the permanent role via technical and behavioural assessment. Government Statistical Services roles are also advertised to external candidates on Civil Service Jobs. 

Person specification

• Experience in collection, manipulation and analysis of data and presenting research results (theoretical or practical understanding of basic statistics.

• IT literate, with experience of working with a variety of software, especially Excel, including experience of or aptitude for statistical software.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate analysis to non-specialists

• Ability to work as part of a team to deliver quality statistical advice and analysis, often to tight deadline.

Qualifications

You must be currently studying in your second year of a highly numerate degree (e.g. mathematics, engineering, chemistry, physics), expecting to achieve a 2:2 or above and seeking a one-year placement for your third year before returning to University for your final year.

Please note this vacancy is open to Undergraduates and those studying a combined Masters Degree only. Please do not apply if you are graduating in 2025.

In the qualifications section, please ensure you include the following mandatory details;
1. The degree you are studying
2. Your current year of study
3. Your expected graduation year
4. Predicted grade

Failure to provide these details may result in your application being rejected.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Presenting and Disseminating Data
• Data Analysis

Benefits

The Government Statistical Service is a community for all civil servants working in the collection, production and communication of official statistics. Our statisticians work across a range of government departments, agencies and other public bodies playing a pivotal role in government decision making. We have some benefits that are relevant across all of our department, and others that are specific to certain departments, to find out more please contact our recruitment team.

As a government statistician, as well as the benefits offered by the department you are allocated to, you will:

• have opportunities to maintain your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through a statistical learning and development programme
• earn a competitive salary with opportunities for future career progression
• work in a sector that promotes flexible working and work/life balance
• have the ability to join a highly competitive pension scheme
• obtain membership to the Government Statistical Group GSG, a professional community of Statisticians and Data Scientists.
• be part of a diverse and inclusive GSS family.

Inclusion & Accessibility

In GSS we're always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.

As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.

If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
If you need help with any part of the application process or completing your CV or personal statement please contact our Recruitment Team at GSS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk one of the team will be happy to help you.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please make sure that you fully complete the qualifications section in the application form. Applications submitted without details of degree studied, predicted grades and year of graduation will be discounted. Failure to provide this information will result in your application being sifted out of the process

Please provide a personal statement of up to 750 words to evidence your competence against the person specification.

Candidates that pass the sift will be invited to interview.

The interview will test candidate's knowledge and experience against two technical competencies as well as two Civil Service Behaviours.

These are;
*Working Together
*Changing and Improving

You will be asked to prepare a short presentation. If required details will be included with the invite to interview.

Sifting will take place W/C 25th November 2024
Interviews start from W/C 6th January 2025
(Dates are subject to change)

A reserve list may be held for period of up to 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Candidates should note this is a multi-location campaign and therefore the reserve list is recorded by location in merit order.

*Please also note that some government departments and locations including London may require additional security clearance in addition to the basic personnel security standard checks.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).