Senior Health and Safety Practitioner - Census 2031

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK's largest producer of official statistics and home to over 5,000 colleagues. We create the data that drives decisions, from measuring economic growth and tracking population changes to informing policy on everything from housing to healthcare. Our statistics don't just sit in reports; they directly influence how billions of pounds are allocated, how services are planned, and how communities are supported across the country.

Census 2031 represents our most ambitious data collection project yet – a once-in-a-decade opportunity to capture a complete picture of everyone living in England and Wales. Building on the digital success of 2021, we're pioneering new ways to reach every household and community, ensuring no one is left uncounted. This vital work will provide the foundation for policy decisions, resource allocation, and community planning for the next decade.

Your work will support delivery of this transformational project that will shape how we understand and support our nation's future. You’ll be part of a team that ensures everyone is counted—and every voice is heard. We're building a culture that values collaboration, fresh thinking, and respect for diverse expertise. Whether you're a seasoned professional or bringing new perspectives, you'll be part of a team that welcomes bold ideas, works transparently, and thrives on solving complex challenges together.

Are you ready to be part of something that shapes the future of our nation? Do you thrive on variety, enjoy working with lots of teams, and want to make a real difference? If so, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

The post holder is responsible for leading and coordinating health and safety provision for the Census 2027 Test nationwide field data collection operation and for external community engagement and other public-facing events, run by Census colleagues.

This role ensures that Health & Safety risks are identified, assessed and controlled, and that the supporting services (including, but not limited to commercial, recruitment, training, logistics and operations) are compliant with relevant H&S legislation and organisational policy.

Embedded within the Census Field Services group, this challenging and pivotal role acts as a key link between the Census Programme, ONS’ corporate Health and Safety team, and other internal and external stakeholders with an interest in the census field operation, including Devolved Administrations Census teams.

Building on and modifying processes already established in ONS’ Social Surveys field teams and those used in the Census 2021 field operation, the role shapes the Health & Safety requirements for the Census 2027 Test field operation and its supporting services); it develops and embeds effective Health and Safety processes into those operations and services; and it oversees the Health and Safety of the field operation and other events such as Census Community Engagement events, throughout the 2027 Census Test period.

In 2027, the field team is planned to be c480 posts, based in 6 Test Areas, dispersed across England and Wales. Field Officers and Managers will be remotely-based, working on a shift-roster basis, 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends, and will be dealing directly with members of the public.

This role will also help to shape the H&S requirements and planning for the 2029 Census Rehearsal and 2031 full Census operation.

While there is an expectation that this role will be of a fixed-term nature, there may be scope for this to be extended, depending on 2029 / 2031 requirements.

Role Responsibilities:

Working in support of Field Service Owners and other senior leaders in the programme, you will use your leadership and H&S technical skills and experience to:

• Lead the development, implementation, assurance and continuous improvement of Health and Safety arrangements for Census 2027 Test field operations and other public-facing events, ensuring compliance with legislation, organisational policy and industry best practice.
• Provide expert health and safety advice to senior leaders, operational managers and teams, supporting effective management of operational, wellbeing and regulatory risks.
• Develop and maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work, guidance, controls and implementation plans, to support the safe delivery of Census 2027 Test field and other activities.
• Ensure effective controls are in place for key operational risks, including (but not restricted to) lone working, personal safety, travel, adverse weather, and out-of-hours working.
• Support statutory compliance and operational readiness by ensuring field colleagues have access to appropriate training, information, equipment, supervision, emergency arrangements and welfare support.
• Oversee health and safety governance, conducting audits and assurance checks to ensure arrangements are suitably applied and managed.
• Implement and oversee incident and near-miss management, providing trend analysis, assurance reporting, compliance monitoring and implementing lessons learned.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including trade unions, contractors, partner organisations and corporate health and safety teams, to promote practical and inclusive health and safety arrangements.
• Produce and present risk updates, assurance reports and recommendations to governance forums and senior leaders, maintaining clear records and audit trails to support effective decision-making.
• Advise commercial colleagues on H&S requirements for Census contracts to ensure H&S requirements are included where applicable and that liability is correctly attributed and documented.

The role is embedded in the Census 2031 programme, with a dotted line into the corporate Health and Safety team, ensuring that Census Field H&S processes and procedures are aligned with the corporate ONS policies, tailored for Census as appropriate.

There may be some requirement to attend corporate H&S meetings and events on occasion.

The field team for 2027 is likely to be around 480 field officers, spread across England and Wales, and this role will ensure that all officers have access to adequate health and safety provision.

Other teams who you will support, will be much smaller, and will be operational on a more ad-hoc basis.

NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety

TechIOSH

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)

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

ONS are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants are expected to hold a valid right to work in the UK when employment commences. If you are applying on a time-limited visa, this will need to be valid for at least 18 months at point of application.

To work at the ONS, candidates must meet the UK right to work requirements.

If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work 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.

Number of Stages: 2 stage process

Stage 1: Application

Stage 2: Interview

Stage 1 - Application

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 word count allowed is 1250, 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.

We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours, and essential skills.

When a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted. Candidates will be invited to interview based on their merit order, with those achieving the highest scores being prioritised. Applicants who score below the adjusted pass mark but still pass will be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.

Stage 2 – Interview

If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours and Technical skill listed in the job advert.

You will be asked to complete an in-tray exercise which will be provided on the day of the interview and candidates will be allocated time to prepare. This in-tray exercise will assess candidates against the Success Profiles Behaviour - 'Making Effective Decisions'.

Interviews will be held in person at our Titchfield Office - Segensworth Rd, Titchfield, Fareham PO15 5RR.

Please be aware that we are unable to reimburse travel expenses associated with attending an interview.

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 - w/c 18th October

Interviews will be conducted - w/c 2nd November

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.