Senior Data Scientist (£42,848 - £57,400)

The DVSA are in the midst of an incredibly exciting journey to gain as much insight from our data as possible for the benefit of our customers and Services. This role will form a part of a growing Data team helping change the direction for the agency and contributing to our 2030 vision.

Our Data Strategy has recently been refreshed and sets the direction for making the Agency an evidence based and data driven organisation. Our roadmap sets out an ambitious and exciting programme of works covering the next five years. You will work with a specific service group of Driver, Vehicle, Enforcement, or Common services and Innovation, as well as be part of a wider Data Science profession team and the even wider, Data Community.

You will work with Service Owners and multi-disciplinary teams using data and analytics to inform and achieve the ambitions and roadmaps of Services within those Service Groups. You will educate and demonstrate the value of data science and how using such approaches can benefit Services where the mixed understanding of how data science can bring benefit is held.

Please Note: Due to the requirements of the role, there is a minimum requirement for the successful candidate to work a minimum of 3 days a week.

If you want to find out more about this role, get tips on the application or ask the hiring manager any questions, join us for a virtual information session on 20th March at 17:30. Click here to register.

This role participates in and helps to oversee the provision of data science services for DVSA. This will include the continued development of demand forecasting models to determine the likely demand for DVSA services going forward, the development of predictive models to forecast performance against key agency targets and the development of risk models to enable a more efficient use of frontline resources.

The post holder is responsible, and will participate in, the development, maintenance and use of these models and the resulting analysis provision, to enable informed decision making across the Agency. This also includes overseeing and participating in the continued professional development of the team in all areas including data science techniques, modelling techniques and data science tools.

The role holder will be a skilled data scientist and a recognised authority for data science within the agency and will engage with senior stakeholders and champion the value of data science to the organisation.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Helps lead and supports DVSA by using Data Science to create change and participates in the development of statistical models to find patterns in data and transform them into organisational insight.
• Engages with Service and Product owners to understand and define their data science requirements and make recommendations to address complex problems to inform strategic and operational decision making.
• Explore existing and new data using a range of statistical tools and techniques, such as machine learning and predictive analytics, whilst ensuring you use data ethically and appropriately.

For further information, please see the attached Role Profile.

About you

In this role, you will:

• Be inquisitive.
• Explore and visualise data.
• Make recommendations to address complex problems and to inform strategic and operational decision making.
• Use data ethically and appropriately.
• Be innovative and adaptable.
• Explore existing and new data using a range of statistical tools and techniques, such as machine learning and predictive analytics.
• Find patterns in data and transform them into organisational insight to support Service development and improvement.

About us

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably.

We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

We’re working hard to:

• Make roads safer.
• Improve services for our customers.
• Make road transport greener and healthier.
• Harness the potential of technology and data.

We’re committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams where everyone is valued. You can grow, develop and progress, and make a real difference to society.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice and welcome and encourage applications from everyone, such as ethnic minorities, women, disabled people and those who identify as LGBT+.

To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website.

Additional Information

This role can be based in Bristol, Swansea, Nottingham or Newcastle. Your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards this.

Government Digital and Data Profession Pay Framework

This role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £42,848. In addition to this, the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £14,552.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.

Please note, the new Capability–Based Pay Framework came into effect on 1st August 2024.

Here are more details on the pay framework.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Senior Data Scientist - Applied Maths, Statistics and Scientific Practices (Skill level: Practitioner)
• Senior Data Scientist - Delivering Business Impact (Skill level: Working)
• Senior Data Scientist - Ethics and Privacy (Skill level: Practitioner)

• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• Exceptional pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30.
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Latest IT and Tech devices.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level.
• Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names.
• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing.
• Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers.
• For more information see visit our careers page.

Job contact :

• Name : Digital Recruitment Team
• Email : digitalrecruitment@dvsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk