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Government Statistical
Service scheme

Scheme duration

3.5 years

Location

UK wide

Scheme overview

With a growing demand for analytical services, a career in statistics puts you at the heart of decision-making throughout government, to benefit the public across the UK.

Who is the scheme suitable for

Your roles will consist of a combination of:

  • collection and analysis of data 
  • publication of statistics including taking early responsibility of work strands to develop your leadership and technical capability
  • research into new data sources, methodologies and techniques to improve statistical outputs
  • identifying customer needs and ensuring research is fit for purpose
  • working with policy teams to provide evidence-based analysis, demonstrating your leadership and capability
  • data science roles, finding new ways to extract value from data
  • taking personal responsibility, from your first post and throughout the programme, to fulfil your broader leadership potential in a statistics environment

Entry requirements

  • you need to be eligible to work in the UK
  • you need a 2:1 Honours degree in a subject containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar);
  • or a higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)

The benefits you’ll enjoy

  • you’ll have a unique chance to work on issues that really make a difference to citizens
  • the skills you will develop are highly valued and transferable, with the ever increasing demand for analytical services
  • membership of the Government Statistician Group, our professional group for statisticians
  • corporate membership of the Royal Statistical Society
  • part of a wider analytical community, the Analysis Function across the Civil Service.
  • access to a structured analytical learning and development curriculum
  • statistician led problem solving events across different cohorts of statistical fast streamers.
  • possible opportunity for international posting
  • gain valuable experience across a range of government departments and other public bodies
  • networking opportunities within and across cohorts
  • cohort days led and delivered by fellow fast streamers
  • up to £1000 bursary available in year three and/or four for relevant learning and development
  • successful completion of the scheme and promotion will see you earn between £45k and £62k. The skills and leadership experiences you will access whilst on the scheme will give you the opportunity to reach more senior leadership roles faster enabling long-term career progression
  • highly competitive pension
  • 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30, with 10 days of national holidays and privilege days
  • you’ll be working for an employer committed to hiring from all backgrounds and ethnicities

Demystifying the Government Statistical Service scheme

Supporting your learning

There will be a wide range of activities to support your learning and development in your roles. You won’t be expected to have in-depth knowledge of all areas on day one.

Your formal learning offer will consist of:

There are also many other informal opportunities for development through community-led and cohort events.

Kevin talks about his experience on the Government Statistical Service scheme, and why he chose this specific scheme.

Read Kevin’s story

“It’s an exciting time in government and the shift to using innovative technologies is happening right in front of us.”

Kevin McCafferty

Government Statistical Service fast streamer

Government Statistical Service fast streamer, Imogen

About the scheme

The Government Statistical Service (GSS) is an independent body working together to provide the evidence and insight required by decision makers.

Roles in the GSS support the production of ‘official’ statistics alongside analysis and advice, providing a firm evidence base for decision making for the public good both inside and outside of government.

There is more information on ‘official’ statistics here.

As a Government Statistical Service fast streamer, you will be joining the Government Statistical Service’s flagship development scheme for our future senior statistical leaders.

Over the 3.5 year scheme, you will be involved in a range of statistical and analytical work, such as, working with different data sets, creating surveys, and disseminating and communicating statistics to non-analysts. You will experience this across a number of different government departments as you build up the skills and knowledge needed to progress to senior leadership roles in the GSS and across the Civil Service.

For more information about the GSS please visit Government Statistical Service and Statistician Group.

The GSS is also part of the wider Analysis Function, a vibrant community of 17,000 cross government analysts working with colleagues to ensure policy is evidence based. You can read more here.

Scheme placement details

Show more

In your first year you’ll work in a government department. You will work on projects like; research and analysis of data, developing new data sources, user engagement, working in policy teams, and data science roles etc. You will use your statistical skills to innovate and solve problems in data management and analysis using a range of software packages and analytical techniques.

In your second year, you’ll move into a new government department in another statistics-based role. You will have more challenges and opportunities to further develop your leadership capability. You can expect to see your analysis being used by decision makers in government and industry. You may often be required to give advice and inform policy decisions in this type of role.

You will undertake either a 6 month ‘complementary’ posting in a further government department or a ‘secondment’ posting. 

  • A complementary posting is working in an area different to statistics such as policy or finance.
  • A secondment is working in either a private sector organisation or a charity/not for profit organisation.

Which would be most suitable for you will be based on your development needs, previous posting experience whilst on the scheme and any previous employment and experience.

You will then finish the scheme moving into a 12 month posting in another government department.

In a continuation of your 12 month posting, you’ll undertake a role that will firmly test the statistical and leadership skills you have developed throughout the programme. 

You’ll then complete an end of scheme assessment.

Upon successful completion of the scheme you will have the opportunity to be promoted to a Grade 7 position.

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