Vacancy: National Statistician’s Committee for Advice on Standards for Economic Statistics members

The closing date for applications is 29 October 2025 at 23:55pm

To support them in their role, the National Statistician has created a set of advisory committees and panels to provide advice on a range of topics. 

The National Statistician’s Committee for Advice on Standards for Economic Statistics (NSCASE) was established in June 2022. Its function is to support the National Statistician in ensuring its processes for influencing, adopting, and monitoring progress against international statistical standards are of a high standard. 

Following completion of NSCASE’s review of SNA25 and BPM7 in 2025, UKSA has taken the opportunity to review the remit, frequency and membership of NSCASE meetings to best reflect a change in demand for its services. From 1 January 2026, NSCASE will continue to be chaired by Professor Martin Weale.

About the National Statistician’s Committee for Advice on Standards for Economic Statistics

On issues identified by the National Statistician, NSCASE is responsible for providing strategic, independent advice to the National Statistician on the following to produce economic statistics: 

• International standards (e.g. European System of Accounts, Government Finance Statistics),  
• Guidelines, and  
• Classifications (e.g. COICOP, COFOG.) For clarity, “classifications” here does not include the classification of public assets and liabilities

Specifically, NSCASE is responsible for providing advice to the National Statistician on: 

• The suitability of international statistical standards across the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suite of economic statistics, with reference to the specific measurement needs of the UK economy as well as the need to ensure appropriate international comparability and historical continuity. 
• Areas in which the UK should deviate from specific international standards (in part or in whole), the reasons for doing so (including any negative impacts), and which standards, if any, should be followed in their place. 
• Where international standards remain in development or pend approval, but the UK would potentially benefit from beginning work on their possible implementation ahead of formal approval, advice should be given on whether the ONS should work on the assumption that these standards will be adopted, along with any initial considerations NSCASE has on which areas of the standards the UK would be advisable to deviate.
• Approaches the UK should take to influence the development of future international statistical standards and guidelines. 
• Where practical, and following approval by the National Statistician, ONS will facilitate transmission of the views of NSCASE to relevant international bodies on a timescale which makes it possible for NSCASE to influence the development of international standards. 
• The developments and progress of the SNA research agenda, particularly those elements relevant to measuring UK economic activity. 

Minutes and papers from previous meetings are available for review. 

Reporting and Governance

NSCASE provides strategic advice to the National Statistician, who is also the Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, leader of the Analysis Function and head of the Government Statistical Service.

The Chair of NSCASE provides regular, public advice to the National Statistician on Committee discussions. The National Statistician in turn responds publicly to NSCASE and decides whether specific matters need to be discussed by the UK Statistics Authority Board, in line with the provisions of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

Secretariat

Staff from the Office for National Statistics provide dedicated Secretariat support to the Committee.

Person specification

We are looking for two new members to sit on the Committee with a mix of skills and experience. 

We are seeking candidates with an interest in influencing the development of international statistics and guidelines pertaining to all aspects of economic statistics, including for example, but not limited to, the National Accounts, Prices, Trade, Well-being, Climate change, and Government Financial statistics. 

Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent leadership skills and strategic vision, as well as the ability to influence and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. Candidates must have a good working knowledge of the UK’s economic data and their uses.  

Candidates should have the following attributes: 

• Can comprehend complex information and engage in discussion 
• Can provide robust challenge and 
• Are interested in helping to maintain public trust in the UK statistical system. 

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Time commitment

Members commit to attending a minimum of 2 one day sessions per year. Committee members are also to review committee papers and attend these meetings to offer advice and guidance on their content and any presentations given at the meeting. 

Timing of the appointments

The successful candidates will be appointed by Winter 2025 with their first meeting scheduled for January 2026.

Location

The Committee will meet a minimum of two times each year either in person or on-line. 

Remuneration

These posts are non-remunerated. All reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be reimbursed in line with the principles, rules and procedures of the UK Statistics Authority’s Travel and Expenses Policy. 

Period of appointment

The appointment will be for an initial period of three years. The possibility of renewal for a further similar period will be available at the discretion of the Chair and/or National Statistician. 

Conflicts of interest

Candidates should not have interests that would be likely to conflict with their responsibilities as a member of NSCASE. Please declare any potential conflict of interest as early as possible in the selection process and also disclose information or personal connections that might, if successful, be open to misperception.