Senior Statistical Officer

Do you want your work to make a meaningful difference to the UK? The Government Statistical Service (GSS) is a cross‑government community that collects, analyses and publishes the statistics that inform decisions across the economy, public services and society.

As a Government Statistician, you’ll work at the heart of government on high‑profile analysis and research. You’ll join a welcoming analytical community, collaborating with experienced statisticians and data specialists across government. From the start, your work will influence real decisions affecting people and services across the UK.

The GSS offers exceptional variety — from health and education to the environment and the economy — along with structured training, expert support and clear opportunities to develop your career. You’ll also help drive innovation by using modern tools and techniques to improve how government uses data.

As a Senior Government Statistical Officer, you’ll drive analytical work that informs some of the most important decisions in the country. You’ll take responsibility for the full analytical lifecycle — from designing new data solutions, to quality assurance, through to communicating clear, influential insights to stakeholders.

Many roles involve managing teams of analysts and non‑analysts, supporting others to grow and championing the use of new tools, technologies and innovative analytical methods. You’ll develop deep technical expertise through ongoing professional development, while contributing to a strong, collaborative analytical culture across your department and the wider GSS.

Whether this is your first introduction to the GSS or you’re already familiar with our community, the candidate pack (bottom of page) provides a detailed look at what it’s like to work as a statistician in government and the impact you can make.

Key Responsibilities

Every role in the GSS is unique — shaped by the department and the challenges you’ll support. In this role, you will:

• Design and develop innovative data solutions, creating new collections and drawing on multiple sources to meet user needs.
• Build strong, proactive relationships with customers, engaging early to understand requirements and communicating findings clearly, including limitations.
• Influence debate and decision‑making, ensuring robust data is collected, analysed and used effectively.
• Champion new tools, technologies and analytical techniques, acting as a key point of contact across teams.
• Apply appropriate statistical methods, adapting your approach to interrogate and manipulate diverse and complex data sources.
• Deliver high‑quality statistical advice and analysis, taking ownership of outputs produced by both yourself and the teams you lead.
• Develop the capability of others, sharing expertise on data sources, data manipulation and innovation across your team or wider business area.

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.

Please note - candidates may apply in their final year of study whilst they are still awaiting their qualification result, however, formal contracts can only be offered upon confirmation of the achievement of the relevant qualification.

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.

Important: Please check your eligibility before applying

• Successful candidates will usually need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period, typically 3 to 5 years, to allow security checks to be completed. Some departments and locations may require additional clearance.
• If you are applying with a Student or Graduate visa, it must be valid for at least 18 months at the point of application.
• GSS Recruitment is unable to offer visa sponsorship through this campaign.

Application Stage

Number of Stages: 2 Stage Process

Stage 1: Application and GSS Online Test

To apply you will need to complete:

• Your CV, including details of your qualifications, employment history, skills and experience.
• A personal statement of up to 1,250 words.
• The GSS online multiple-choice test (unless exempt as an existing GSG member).

Important: You must fully complete the qualifications section of the application form, including degree subject, classification, and grade (including predicted results where applicable). Applications with incomplete qualification details may not be progressed.

Your personal statement should provide evidence against each part of the Person Specification. As all criteria are scored, we recommend using clear examples that demonstrate your actions and the impact you achieved.

The GSS online test is a timed assessment and must be completed by midday on the closing date. We strongly recommend reviewing the practice test attached to the advert before taking the live assessment.

If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact us before sitting the test.

Current GSG Members

If you are already a member of the Government Statistician Group (GSG), you are exempt from the GSS online test. Please email your membership number or details to GSS.Recruitment@ons.gov.uk when you submit your application. Once your membership has been verified, your application will progress to the next stage.

Candidates who are successful at the application and test stage will be asked to complete an eligibility form before progressing to interview. Further information will be provided at that stage.

Applications from candidates who do not meet the advertised eligibility requirements may not be progressed.

Stage 2: Assessment

Should you be invited to interview, you will be assessed using various assessment techniques aligned to the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, which will include assessment of the Behaviours and GSG Technical Competencies in this advert.

Please note:

• Travel and subsistence expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
• Some departments may require a higher level of security clearance.
• Feedback is only provided to candidates who attend an interview or assessment.

Campaign Timeline

• Sift: W/C 12th October 2026
• Interviews: W/C 26th October 2026

Additional Information

• A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months. As this is a multi-location campaign, reserve lists will be maintained by location in merit order.
• Some departments encourage applications from Welsh speakers. Please contact us if you would like further information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.