Government Statistical Service Newsletter - January 2021
Happy New Year and welcome to the first newsletter of 2021! This month's newsletter is jam-packed and has been compiled by our Web Content Lead, Louise. If you have any feedback, please email gssnet@statistics.gov.uk.
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News
UK Statistics as we leave the transition period
Read the Public Statement from the National Statistician – Professor Sir Ian Diamond.
WWWeb's the way forward!
The way we interact, collaborate and work together changed a lot in 2020. The Census and Population Statistics Hub Team in the Methodology Division of the Office for National Statistics was not going to let pandemic restrictions stop them from hosting events; and led a webinar on Census in December 2020.
Have your say in our competency framework review
A new pilot version of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) Competency Framework has been published for your consultation. There are two versions available - by strand and by grade. You can leave feedback via the website or email gss.careers@ons.gov.uk.
A change to Harmonisation terminology
After wide consultation across the GSS, topic groups and beyond, harmonisation is now using new terminology. There have also been a number of updates made to some of their guidance - take a look in the Policy and Guidance Hub.
The Analysis Function Learning Curriculum
This month see's the launch of the Analysis Function Learning Curriculum which pulls together analytical learning from across government. The curriculum has been designed to give visibility and easy access to the plethora of opportunities available to members of the function.
Blogs
Remote testing in practice - what we learnt
Meg Pryor and Tara McNeill from the Office for National Statistics share how they put our 'Remote testing survey questions' guidance into practice as part of their work on social survey transformation.
ONS-UNECE Machine Learning 2021 Group
The Machine Learning 2021 Group will be led by the Office for National Statistics' Data Science Campus in partnership with the the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics. The group aims to develop research, build skills and share resources on machine learning developments and applications for official statistics across the global statistical community.
Lost in translation
So, what do you do when you’re working on a statistical method and come across coding that you are not versed in? Laura Kirkham found a smart way to decipher a code which was used on a method she was working on.
Events
Review and improve a statistical publication
Learn how review and discuss statistical publications in detail in a peer review style workshop. New dates have been added due to popular demand. Register via Eventbrite.
Data Science: Conversation Cafes
Conversation Cafés are non-agenda meet-ups to build connections within the data science community and support collective wisdom.
Next meet up is on 22 January 2021.
Future and senior leaders knowledge exchange sessions
The Analysis Function is excited to launch the Future Leaders Scheme and Senior Leaders Scheme knowledge exchange sessions. The schemes are the Civil Service’s accelerated development programmes for high-potential employees at Grade 6 or 7 and Deputy Director respectively.
GSS conference 2020
Save the date for the postponed GSS conference - 9 and 10 March 2021. More details to follow!
International Virology Summit
This is the 13th International Virology Summit taking place 28 to 29 April 2021.
Jobs and opportunities
BBC News secondment
The GSS Capability Team are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced analyst to work at the BBC for a three-month placement between April and June 2021. Apply by 19 January 2021.
Government Office for Science – Grade 7 Epidemiology (SAGE Secretariat)
This is a varied and responsive role working at the heart of the COVID-19 response. All work can be conducted remotely and the role serves as a unique opportunity to learn more about advice to government, and experience the diversity of evidence that supports decision making. Ideally, you may have some awareness of epidemiology or disease surveillance, or modelling complex and variable situations, but workload in the team is flexible to suit most backgrounds.
If you are interested please contact Bev.Rosser@ons.gov.uk to discuss in more detail.
NHS England and NHS Improvement - Vaccination statistics
Working in an area of critical importance and offering an opportunity to join the national effort working on high profile statistics, the team are looking for one Grade 6 or 7 and either a Fast Stream or HEO or SEO equivalent analyst to join their team responsible for the publication of vaccination statistics. You will be comfortable working with communication leads and with data, able to create charts and tables in Excel. Experience in public facing statistical publications would be helpful. The role is available for a period from now up to six months with shorter periods considered.
If you are interested please contact Bev.Rosser@ons.gov.uk to discuss in more detail.
Mathematical Modeller
Working in Public Health England’s (PHE) Health Economics and Modelling Team, you will assist in the development and management of the analytical components of the team’s non-communicable disease (NCD) modelling work programme. Closing date 10 January 2021. Apply now on Civil Service Jobs.
Learner Destinations Analyst
This post leads on the development, analysis and presentation of linked data on learner progression and destinations. Closing date 29 January 2021. Read the job description.
COVID-19 related jobs at Welsh Government
Posts are still available for the following roles with a new closing date of 26 January 2021:
More job opportunities are available on Civil Service Jobs.
Publications
This guidance will help you understand how to reduce respondent burden by designing a survey that meets their needs.
This guidance continues to be updated as we learn more about this area. We’ve recently added a short section on accessibility and social media content and some extra pointers related to making reference tables accessible.
Training
After consultation and endorsement from the GSG people committee, the GSG learning pathways have been updated and refreshed to ensure that GSG members are being directed to the most relevant and up to date training to help with your development.
What has changed:
For more information please contact gss.capability@statistics.gov.uk
And finally...
A new year often brings a feeling or need to try something new or a renewed commitment to something we didn't quite manage last year, for me this is usually health related. This year, I've decided to just be kind to myself and not add anymore pressures! If anyone is struggling out there, I recently found some of the resources and advice on the Mind website to be really helpful. Here's to a better year for everyone, in time.
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