Vacancy: National Statistician’s Inclusive Data Advisory Committee members

The closing date for applications is 24 August 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.

In October 2022, following the conclusion of the Inclusive Data Taskforce (IDTF), a new National Statistician’s Inclusive Data Advisory Committee (NSIDAC) was established. The role of the NSIDAC is to provide independent advice to the National Statistician on the ongoing improvement of the inclusivity of data and evidence, across the UK statistical system. From 1 September 2025, it will be chaired by Professor Evelyn Collins CBE.

About the National Statistician’s Inclusive Data Advisory Committee

NSIDAC was initially established to provide independent advice to the National Statistician on the ongoing implementation of the Inclusive Data Taskforce’s (IDTF) recommendations for improving the inclusivity of data and evidence, across the UK Statistical System. Going forward, the NSIDAC will provide independent advice to the National Statistician on aspects such as:

• prioritisation of initiatives, providing scrutiny and challenge to the progress being made;
• guidance to improve the inclusivity of statistics and qualitative and quantitative data collected about the UK population;
• guidance on research to develop new harmonised data standards, and consultation approaches for changes;
• improving data accessibility and engaging the public;
• continue collaborations to develop new workstreams across government to improve the inclusivity of data and evidence about the UK population.

You can read the minutes and papers from each meeting as well as the Advice from the National Statistician’s Inclusive Data Advisory Committee on the Office for National Statistics’ proposals for the Future of Population and Migration Statistics (Published 17 June 2025).

Reporting and Governance

Specifically, the Committee has been created by the National Statistician to provide external advice to government and independent challenge, advice and scrutiny on the activities being undertaken across the UK statistical system to achieve improved data inclusivity.

Secretariat

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

Person specification

We are seeking candidates with an interest in inclusivity and a strong understanding of the equalities landscape in the UK and how this relates to UK data and evidence. Candidates should be respected advocates for equality and inclusion and/or have a proven ability to create and identify common ground across communities, causes or the protected characteristics¹. We wish to appoint a diverse group of senior academics, civil society leaders and others who collectively have wide-ranging equalities expertise.

The focus of the NSIDAC is on improving the inclusivity of UK data and evidence. Candidates should therefore have experience and/or expert knowledge in one or more of the following fields:

• Data ethics
• Social research (quantitative and/or qualitative research)
• Data inclusivity
• Equalities Data
• Engaging with public organisations on the use of data
• Public and peer-recognised advocacy for equality and inclusion and/or a protected-characteristic community.

In addition, 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 5 three hour 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 and implications for data inclusivity.

Timing of the appointments

The successful candidates will be appointed by the end of Summer 2025, with their first meeting scheduled for Autumn 2025.

Location

The Committee will meet a minimum of five 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 NSIDAC. 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.