Government Statistical Service Fast Stream

Government Statistical Service Scheme

This is a 3.5-year scheme designed to develop future senior statistical leaders within the Government Statistical Service (GSS).

What You'll Do

Your roles will involve a combination of:

• Collection and analysis of data.
• Publication of statistics, including taking early responsibility for work strands to develop 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 leadership and capability.
• Data science roles, finding new ways to extract value from data.
• Taking personal responsibility from your first post to fulfil your broader leadership potential in a statistics environment.

Scheme Placements

• Year 1: A year-long posting in a government department as a government statistician. You will apply statistical skills in real policy and public service contexts, contributing to official statistical publications, developing data sources, engaging with users, and supporting policymakers.
• Year 2: A new role in a different government department, offering greater challenges and opportunities to develop leadership capability. You may work on statistical publications, provide analytical support to policy teams, or support statistical standards.
• Year 3: You can choose between a 6-month complementary posting in a profession outside of statistics within the Civil Service, or a secondment to an organisation outside the Civil Service (e.g., private sector, charity) to gain experience in data or statistics.
• Final Posting (12 months): A role in a new government department where you will lead substantial analytical work with real-world policy impact, operating with the confidence and credibility of an analytical leader.

Entry Requirements

• Eligible to work in the UK.
• A first or second-class honours degree (2:1 minimum) in a numerate subject with taught statistical content (e.g., Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography).
• Alternatively, a higher degree (MSc or PhD) in a subject with formal statistical training.

Benefits

• Work on issues that make a difference to citizens.
• Develop highly valued and transferable skills.
• Membership of the Government Statistician Group and corporate membership of the Royal Statistical Society.
• Access to a structured analytical learning and development curriculum.
• Possible opportunity for international posting.
• Gain valuable experience across a range of government departments.
• Networking opportunities.
• Up to £1000 bursary available in year three and/or four for relevant learning and development.
• Upon successful completion and promotion, earn between £45,000 and £62,000 per year.
• Opportunities for long-term career progression to senior leadership roles.
• Highly competitive pension.
• 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30, plus 10 days of national holidays and privilege days.

Learning and Development

• Formal learning includes leadership and management training, a structured analytical learning and development curriculum, and training in coding/computing techniques (e.g., Python and R).
• Informal development opportunities through community-led and cohort events.