Authority seeking to appoint independent committee members

Objective 

The National Statistician’s Committee for the Advice on Standards for Economic Statistics will support the UK by ensuring its processes for influencing and adopting international statistical standards are world-leading

We are seeking to appoint independent committee members to provide strategic advice to the National Statistician.

Outputs

• In this role, you will work closely with the Chair and other committee members, senior leaders across the statistical system, and key users of economic data.

On an ongoing basis, you will be responsible contributing to advice to the National Statistician with regard to:

• the suitability of current standards across the ONS’s suite of economic data;
• how the UK can and should influence the development of future standards;
• which standards the UK should adopt in future, to meet the specific measurement needs of the UK economy, while ensuring international comparability.

Individuals must be able to commit to attending four meetings each year.  

The appointment will be for an initial period of approximately three years. As this is a new Committee we will stagger members’ end dates to ensure continuity of work and experience. The possibility of renewal for a further similar period will be available.

Once appointed, for payment purposes you will be required to engage with one of our recruitment partners.  ONS will provide you with the necessary information to do that and if you have any questions in the meantime, please email is us on: scs.recruitment@ons.gov.uk.

The successful candidate must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance.

Requirements

• Strategic skills, including the ability to analyse complex issues and to think clearly, strategically and laterally, extracting the essence of an argument from papers or presented evidence.
• Influencing and communication skills, including an ability to develop and maintain relationships with groups with disparate views and agendas.
• Team working and collaboration skills, including an ability to work with other members and to participate in robust debate, challenging constructively the opinions of others, and working to achieve a shared consensus.

We are looking to establish a Committee with a mix of skills and experience. We are looking for candidates with experience of one or more of the following:

• Producing or working with statistical standards.
• Strong background as producers or users of economic and financial statistics either nationally or internationally.
• Work with international statistical guidance and the bodies that produce such guidance.

Location                                                                            

• There is no explicit requirement to be based in the UK, and we welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
• There would be an expectation to travel to meetings when necessary.
• Meetings are likely to be held in our office locations in Newport (South Wales), Titchfield (Hampshire), Darlington or London.

• Vacancy live – 7 February 2022
• Closing date – 11 March 2022
• Interviews – w/c 21 March
• Committee Members appointed – w/c 28 March

Applications should include:

1. A covering letter explaining why this post interests you and how you meet the criteria as detailed in the requirements section of the vacancy description. Your covering letter should be no longer than two sides of A4.
2. A curriculum vitae which includes:
   1. Details of education and professional qualifications
   2. Full employment history
   3. Relevant achievements in recent posts

Please send your completed application to SCS.recruitment@ons.gov.uk with your CV and statement as attachments.

Applications will be sifted following the closing date and informal conversations will be held during the week commencing the 7 March 2022.