Careers at ONS
What qualifications do I need?
What skills and experience do I need to demonstrate?
Statisticians, researchers and economists working in ONS can expect to play a leading role in developing and maintaining relationships with key users in central and local government and the wider statistical community. They work on the design and production of surveys and other sources of data, provide interpretation of the latest trends, and produce analysis and reports for government, researchers and citizens.
As part of this professional group of people, you can expect to be involved in work across a number of areas. There will be opportunities to work on a number of projects over time, often in multidisciplinary teams. We encourage our staff to work on a number of topics, or for some to develop topic expertise.
Depending on where you are working, you could be involved in activities such as designing surveys, analysing data, writing reports for publication or providing advice to our internal and external customers, to help them make informed decisions.
What qualifications do I need?
- You must have, or expect to obtain in 2008, the following:
| Statistician | Researcher | Economist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of attainment | Minimum 2:2 | Minimum of 2:1 or a 2:2 with a postgraduate degree. | |
| Degree discipline |
Statistics, Maths with Statistics, or another numerate degree discipline e.g. Geography, with a substantial statistical content (approximately 25%); or a social science degree, usually with a significant research methods, social policy or statistics component. A postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject area or in research methods would be an advantage. Alternatively, candidates may have another relevant social research, statistical or economics qualification at the appropriate level. |
Economics with at least 50 per cent of the course modules in economics. You must have studied both macro and microeconomics. | |
What skills and experience do I need to demonstrate?
The entry level titles of graduate, experienced graduate, experienced professional and senior professional are not used by the ONS as job titles. They are labels used as a recruitment tool and guide for candidates to self assess their current level of skills and experience.
Assuming you are successfully shortlisted, ONS trained assessors will determine where your skills and experience fit within ONS pay ranges, based on your application and performance at assessment centre.
Graduate & Experienced Graduate
For graduate entry level, no relevant work experience is required. However you will be expected to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge gained from your degree studies.
For experienced graduate entry level you will be expected to demonstrate some relevant work experience gained from your post-graduate studies and/or employment to date. You will be expected to:-
- demonstrate your ability to analyse data
- draw out main findings
- understand and apply basic statistical theory
- have experience of using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS, SAS.
As a graduate or experienced graduate you can look forward to gaining experience in the latest and best statistical methods. There will also be excellent opportunities to develop your team working, communication and project management skills. Further opportunities will be available to develop and enhance your potential for promotion.
Experienced Professional
You will be required to demonstrate an established range of skills gained from your varied relevant work experience. This includes:-
- proven experience of carrying out complex statistical/research analysis
- knowledge of a range of statistical/research techniques
- evidence of leading projects including some management of others
- presenting statistical/research findings to a range of audiences
You can expect to be allocated a position that will allow you to further develop and progress your professional career in statistics, research or economics. Some positions will offer you opportunities to develop other key skills, such as people and project management.
Senior Professional
You will be required to demonstrate a wide range of skills gained from significant relevant work experience that encompasses technical and intellectual leadership on statistical/research development projects. Your skills will include:-
- proven experience of conducting complex statistical/research analysis
- evidence of well–established strategic, planning and policy skills
- dealing with customers at a senior level
- proven team leadership – managing a team’s work and individual’s personal development
- proven experience of delivering presentations and statistical/research findings to varied audiences
You will be able to enhance your existing professional career by contributing to government policy and quality work to an international standard. You will play a lead role in providing high quality data by working on the cross–cutting research, statistical or economic projects that are important to people and society enabling you to expand on your well established range of skills.
