Data Scientist

at  Cabinet Office

JOB SUMMARY

This role sits within the Data Analytics Service Team in the Public Sector Fraud Authority. You will be working as a Data Scientist to advance how the government uses data to find fraud within the public sector. You will support the engagement with government agencies in identifying where data analysis could be applied to their business processes to most effectively counter residual fraud risks. You will work closely with a range of stakeholders; helping agencies fully map the data processes underpinning their schemes, identifying the information and analytics gaps that are the root cause of suspected fraud risks, and advising on analysis and products to address fraud. With support and guidance, you will apply data science best practises to build innovative products and present any findings, outputs and recommendations to senior stakeholders. The role will sit within a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, data engineers, delivery managers and business analysts.
Examples of recent projects the team have worked on include; using data analytics to identify fraudulent Covid-19 Bounce Back Loans, using generative AI to help build Fraud Risk Assessments, and using machine learning to identify Phoenixing companies. The team has also been using network analytics to develop and identify high risk networks of companies.
The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) is responsible for working with departments and arms-length bodies to better understand and reduce the impact of fraud against the public sector. Working in the PSFA is an opportunity to make a difference to the taxpayer by improving how the public sector deals with fraud. This can reduce the cost of public services and drive fairness in society. Working in the PSFA offers access to a wide range of stakeholders across government and the opportunity to work with various sectors in a high profile policy area with high media, parliamentary and ministerial interest.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree / Masters in computer science, maths, statistics, economics or related disciplines or professional experience in a data science team

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Data Science - Presentation - Topic will be sent out to successful applicants
• Data Science - Experience - You will be asked questions on your Data Science experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,382, Cabinet Office contributes £12,278 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

RESPONSIBILITIES

The jobholder’s key responsibilities will be to:

• Conduct analysis using a range of complex data sources related to fraud and economic crime.
• Perform analysis in Python and SQL, including machine learning.
• Build and develop on our Quantexa network analytics capability using Scala and PySpark including developing predictive models and building scorecards.
• Communicate analysis clearly and in an engaging manner to non-technical audiences, drawing out the key messages.
• Present findings, outputs and recommendations to stakeholders, managing sensitivities in the results and maintaining good relationships with these stakeholders to facilitate future work.
• Develop and improve interactive dashboarding and setting the direction for current and future reporting using tools such as PowerBI.
• Explore and describe data using a variety of tools and be able to present them to wider audiences without data backgrounds.
• Work effectively with a range of stakeholders, within and outside of Government, on collaborative projects and to promote the work of the team.
• Maintain your own professional development and build a strong supportive and inclusive culture across the team.