Population Statistics - Technical Innovation Lead
Office for National Statistics
Titchfield,
England,
United Kingdom
Research and Science
Skilled Worker
Job posted on May 12, 2026
APPLY NOW
Job Description:
The ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations working between office and remote throughout the week. The locations for this role are Newport and Titchfield (Fareham).
All colleagues are required to work from their contractually allocated site for at least 40% of their working time.
The induction process for the role will be conducted in person.
Job Summary
The successful delivery of outcomes by Population Statistics Directorate (PSD) relies on a variety of skills and services. Nurturing these skills and building relationships with delivery partners across ONS is key. This role will lead on the development and implementation of a strategy to ensure this core technical capabilities required are available within Population Statistics at the required standard.
Job Description
As the Technical Innovation lead, the post holder will seek opportunities for efficiency, innovation and integration across Population Statistics Directorate and make recommendations to address complex problems.
Own the team’s code/versioning approach and QA/diagnostics for outputs (e.g. GitLab repository organisation, versioning policy, and run‑time diagnostics), while coordinating assurance with Demography, DGO and Methodology as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities:
The role will have line management responsibility of 3-6 multidisciplinary staff (GSR, GSG, ODP) and will work alongside 2 to 3 other G7 teams who operate in a matrix management environment.
As the Technical Innovation lead, the post holder will seek opportunities for efficiency, innovation and integration across Population Statistics Directorate and make recommendations to address complex problems.
Own the team’s code/versioning approach and QA/diagnostics for outputs (e.g. GitLab repository organisation, versioning policy, and run‑time diagnostics), while coordinating assurance with Demography, DGO and Methodology as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities:
The role will have line management responsibility of 3-6 multidisciplinary staff (GSR, GSG, ODP) and will work alongside 2 to 3 other G7 teams who operate in a matrix management environment.
Person specification
Qualifications
There are two eligibility routes for applicants:
Qualifications Route
To apply you should have:
OR
Experience route
Alternatively You Could Apply If You:
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Alongside your salary of £56,861, Office for National Statistics contributes £16,472 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are 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 a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
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.
ONS are committed to flexible ways of working that support a healthy work-life balance. ONS has already considered how this job could be right sized for applicants working flexibly and we are happy to explore options with you about working part time, in a job share or flexibly, in line with our hybrid working policies.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security Clearance
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
Visa Sponsorship for
ONS can offer visa sponsorship as part of this recruitment campaign. However, applicants must still hold valid right to work in the UK at the point employment commences.
To work at the ONS, candidates must meet both UK right to work and security clearance requirements (where applicable).
If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.
Application Process
Number of Stages: 2 stage process
Stage 1: Application and GSS Online Test
Stage 2: Interview
Stage 1 – Application and GSS Online Test
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, CV, skills, experience, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.
A personal statement is required at application stage, the maximum wordcount allowed is 1000, which should not be exceeded. You should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.
In instances where a high number of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted, and candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order, i.e., those with the highest scores.
Once you have submitted your application you will be invited via email to complete the GSS online multiple choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by midday on the closing date to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.
Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting the GSS online test. To prevent your application being rejected please ensure you email your membership number or details to GSS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk as soon as you submit an application to notify us. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.
Stage 2 – Interview
If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills.
You will be required to provide a 7 minute presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed the initial online application stage, 1 week prior to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the Technical competency of Data Analysis.
Interviews may be in person or via Microsoft Teams.
Our main locations are Newport (South Wales), Titchfield and Darlington.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Important Dates:
The Sift will be conducted from W/C Monday 8th June 2026.
Interviews will be conducted from W/C 15th June 2026.
Dates are subject to change.
For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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:
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.
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).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission
APPLY NOW
All colleagues are required to work from their contractually allocated site for at least 40% of their working time.
The induction process for the role will be conducted in person.
Job Summary
The successful delivery of outcomes by Population Statistics Directorate (PSD) relies on a variety of skills and services. Nurturing these skills and building relationships with delivery partners across ONS is key. This role will lead on the development and implementation of a strategy to ensure this core technical capabilities required are available within Population Statistics at the required standard.
Job Description
As the Technical Innovation lead, the post holder will seek opportunities for efficiency, innovation and integration across Population Statistics Directorate and make recommendations to address complex problems.
- Lead the Technical Innovation team (G7) to upskill Population Statistics Division (PSD) researchers on the Data Access Platform (DAP) and embed Reproducible Analytical Pipeline (RAP) standards; (provide a responsive “hands-on” problem‑solving service for analysts; and act as statistical lead for innovation projects including the Demographic Index (DI) population pipeline (DIPPi)).
- Lead innovative analytical projects to support PSD in the production of high-quality population and migration statistics and introduce quality frameworks to measure the high-quality outputs
- Interface with Digital Services,Data Growth & Operations (DGO) and Methodology and Quality Directorate (MQD), translating programme needs, resolving issues, and cascading/raising matters through DAP governance (DAP service improvement team user group, DAP Service Improvement Board (DAPSIB) and the Directorate Quality Management Forum (DQMF)).
- Drive productionisation of PSD outputs on DAP/CDP using standardised, version‑controlled code and RAP best practice, ensuring reproducibility and operational resilience.
Own the team’s code/versioning approach and QA/diagnostics for outputs (e.g. GitLab repository organisation, versioning policy, and run‑time diagnostics), while coordinating assurance with Demography, DGO and Methodology as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategy & delivery across multiple workstreams: set direction, prioritise, resource and track milestones so the technical capabilities PSD requires are available and sustained.
- Technical leadership (RAP/DAP): define and embed coding standards, templates and CI/versioning practices; steward GitLab repositories and code assets to enable reproducible, supportable pipelines.
- Quality assurance & diagnostics: specify, coordinate and implement QA/diagnostic strategies in collaboration with business areas.
- Change management on DAP: plan and execute upgrade testing; manage known risks (e.g., time‑zone effects on timestamps); escalate via DQMF and RFCs; and cascade mitigations/training across the directorate.
- Stakeholder and relationship management: maintain collaborative working with Digital Services, DGO, MQD, Demography and Census translating directorates needs and resolving issues at pace.
- People leadership: line‑manage a small multi‑disciplinary team (typically 3-6 staff) and coach others, working in a matrix alongside two to three other G7 teams to deliver directorate priorities
The role will have line management responsibility of 3-6 multidisciplinary staff (GSR, GSG, ODP) and will work alongside 2 to 3 other G7 teams who operate in a matrix management environment.
As the Technical Innovation lead, the post holder will seek opportunities for efficiency, innovation and integration across Population Statistics Directorate and make recommendations to address complex problems.
- Lead the Technical Innovation team (G7) to upskill Population Statistics Division (PSD) researchers on the Data Access Platform (DAP) and embed Reproducible Analytical Pipeline (RAP) standards; (provide a responsive “hands-on” problem‑solving service for analysts; and act as statistical lead for innovation projects including the Demographic Index (DI) population pipeline (DIPPi)).
- Lead innovative analytical projects to support PSD in the production of high-quality population and migration statistics and introduce quality frameworks to measure the high-quality outputs
- Interface with Digital Services,Data Growth & Operations (DGO) and Methodology and Quality Directorate (MQD), translating programme needs, resolving issues, and cascading/raising matters through DAP governance (DAP service improvement team user group, DAP Service Improvement Board (DAPSIB) and the Directorate Quality Management Forum (DQMF)).
- Drive productionisation of PSD outputs on DAP/CDP using standardised, version‑controlled code and RAP best practice, ensuring reproducibility and operational resilience.
Own the team’s code/versioning approach and QA/diagnostics for outputs (e.g. GitLab repository organisation, versioning policy, and run‑time diagnostics), while coordinating assurance with Demography, DGO and Methodology as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategy & delivery across multiple workstreams: set direction, prioritise, resource and track milestones so the technical capabilities PSD requires are available and sustained.
- Technical leadership (RAP/DAP): define and embed coding standards, templates and CI/versioning practices; steward GitLab repositories and code assets to enable reproducible, supportable pipelines.
- Quality assurance & diagnostics: specify, coordinate and implement QA/diagnostic strategies in collaboration with business areas.
- Change management on DAP: plan and execute upgrade testing; manage known risks (e.g., time‑zone effects on timestamps); escalate via DQMF and RFCs; and cascade mitigations/training across the directorate.
- Stakeholder and relationship management: maintain collaborative working with Digital Services, DGO, MQD, Demography and Census translating directorates needs and resolving issues at pace.
- People leadership: line‑manage a small multi‑disciplinary team (typically 3-6 staff) and coach others, working in a matrix alongside two to three other G7 teams to deliver directorate priorities
The role will have line management responsibility of 3-6 multidisciplinary staff (GSR, GSG, ODP) and will work alongside 2 to 3 other G7 teams who operate in a matrix management environment.
Person specification
- Experience and understanding of data science for producing statistics analysis/modelling including coding skills, experience in software packages such as Python, R and Pyspark.
- Storytelling and data visualisation – including the visualisation of insights drawn from data and the building of data driven products.
- Scientific research methods – analytical, critical, and curious analysis of data or modelling, ability to master the scientific literature, a track record of high-quality publications and use of innovating ways of working to modernise the analysis and dissemination of statistics.
Qualifications
There are two eligibility routes for applicants:
Qualifications Route
To apply you should have:
- a first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography,).
OR
- a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography).
Experience route
Alternatively You Could Apply If You:
- have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of three years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Managing a Quality Service
- Leadership
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Acquiring data and understanding customer needs
- Data Analysis
- Presenting and disseminating data effectively
Alongside your salary of £56,861, Office for National Statistics contributes £16,472 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are 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 a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
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.
ONS are committed to flexible ways of working that support a healthy work-life balance. ONS has already considered how this job could be right sized for applicants working flexibly and we are happy to explore options with you about working part time, in a job share or flexibly, in line with our hybrid working policies.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security Clearance
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
Visa Sponsorship for
ONS can offer visa sponsorship as part of this recruitment campaign. However, applicants must still hold valid right to work in the UK at the point employment commences.
To work at the ONS, candidates must meet both UK right to work and security clearance requirements (where applicable).
If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.
Application Process
Number of Stages: 2 stage process
Stage 1: Application and GSS Online Test
Stage 2: Interview
Stage 1 – Application and GSS Online Test
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, CV, skills, experience, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.
A personal statement is required at application stage, the maximum wordcount allowed is 1000, which should not be exceeded. You should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.
In instances where a high number of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted, and candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order, i.e., those with the highest scores.
Once you have submitted your application you will be invited via email to complete the GSS online multiple choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by midday on the closing date to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.
Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting the GSS online test. To prevent your application being rejected please ensure you email your membership number or details to GSS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk as soon as you submit an application to notify us. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.
Stage 2 – Interview
If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills.
You will be required to provide a 7 minute presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed the initial online application stage, 1 week prior to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the Technical competency of Data Analysis.
Interviews may be in person or via Microsoft Teams.
Our main locations are Newport (South Wales), Titchfield and Darlington.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Important Dates:
The Sift will be conducted from W/C Monday 8th June 2026.
Interviews will be conducted from W/C 15th June 2026.
Dates are subject to change.
For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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.
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).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Social Research Recruitment
- Email : Social.Research.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Social.Research.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission