Job Description

Details

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Reference number

436190

Salary

45,974 - 54,431
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Loan

Secondment

Length of employment

TBC

Business area

WG - Economy, Skills and Natural Resources

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Wales

About the job

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Job summary

Join the Welsh Government Office for Science - Where Evidence Meets Impact

Are you passionate about using science, data, and innovation to shape a better future for Wales? The

Welsh Government Office for Science (WGOS)

is looking for a dynamic and analytical science professional to join our

Evidence Synthesis and Analytics Branch

.


In this role, you'll be at the heart of government decision-making--

translating complex scientific and technical evidence into clear, actionable insights

that inform policies affecting health, education, the environment, and the economy.

Why Join WGOS?

Purposeful Work

: Support the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales in delivering high-quality evidence and strategic thinking that drives real societal change.

Collaborative Environment

: Work closely with scientists, researchers, statisticians, and policy teams across Wales, the UK, and internationally.

Innovation-Driven

: Be part of exciting programmes,, AI-driven initiatives, and analysing clusters of research, innovation, economic and societal impact within science and technology to support Wales Innovates and its delivery plan, to identify gaps/opportunities in Wales and inform future funding decisions for Welsh Government e.g. Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER) and potentially the creation of Public Sector Research Establishments in key areas of strength.

Professional Growth

: Enjoy a supportive team culture with a

protected weekly learning hour

and opportunities to develop your skills in science communication, data analysis, and policy impact.

Equity and Inclusion

: Contribute to the Welsh Government's

Equity in STEM

initiative, helping to build a more inclusive and diverse scientific community.

Benefits:

You'll benefit from flexible working, generous leave, and a strong commitment to wellbeing and inclusion. With access to high-quality training, clear career progression, and opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects--including AI and digital transformation--you'll be part of a modern, values-driven organisation that supports your growth and celebrates your impact.

Job description

What You'll Do

Aggregate and analyse scientific, technical, and other relevant data. Interpret findings to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Communicate insights through clear, compelling narratives for ministers and stakeholders. Explore how science, technology, and innovation affect everyday life--positively or negatively--and help shape evidence-based solutions.


Science and use of science is fundamentally about numerical and quantifiable evidence and data, i.e. what you can observe, measure or count. This will be feature of science evidence collection and which may be underpinned by fundamental scientific principles.


This is more than a data role--it's a chance to

influence the future of science and innovation in Wales

, while growing your career in a forward-thinking, inclusive public sector environment.

Person specification

Main Responsibilities

Provision of evidence and data analytical support and advice to the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales[1] and colleagues within the Welsh Government Office for Science. The drivers and foci of this work will be varied but, for example, will include the synthesis of evidence and data to inform the evolution of WG investment decisions, priorities and outcomes. Identifying and accessing information and data sources relevant to the evidence needs of the Welsh Government Office for Science. Aggregation, curation and analysis of data from multiple, varied sources[2] to yield evidence relevant to the work and needs of the Welsh Government Office for Science. Potential research questions include: Engagement and liaison with other individuals and groups both internal and external to Welsh Government that are active in collecting, analysing and reporting on data relevant to the Welsh Government Office for Science. Such groups encompass colleagues in Knowledge and Analytical Services (KAS), other departments of Welsh Government, cross-departmental WG entities such as the Strategic Evidence Board and the Equality, Race and Disability Evidence Units, UK Government, and key individuals, groups, companies and institutions across academia, industry and other sectors. Leading on the communication and reporting of the results of analyses to relevant colleagues within, and external to, the Welsh Government Office for Science. These activities will utilise multiple platforms and applications as appropriate to the target audiences, including tools for data visualisation. Leading on the design, commissioning, management and evaluation of evidence and analytical projects. While the details of such future reports have yet to be defined, reports previously commissioned from Elsevier[3],[4] offer examples of the type of project involved. Leading on the exploration and application of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence AI.


[1] The CSA for Wales is a fixed-term four year appointment which has a central role in determining the priorities of both the Division and this post in line with Welsh Government Ministers' priorities.


[2] Such as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Scopus (and possibly SciVal) database.


[3] A performance based assessment of the Welsh research base , GOV.WALES


[4] Wales' research performance with UK and global comparators , GOV.WALES

Qualifications

Are you qualified to degree or higher degree level (by research) in a physical sciences discipline? (e.g. BSc., MSc,, MPhil, ,MRes or PhD in a STEMM subject).

Technical skills

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


Providing & Handling Evidence: Generates, collates & provides succinct scientific/technical evidence to fulfil requirements. Provides critical analysis and investigation of sources and contributes to the robustness of the evidence base.

Benefits

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Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.
Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.


The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:

2 stage process

Stage 1 Application Form


Stage 2 Interview

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

#

Job contact :

Name : Evidence Synthesis and Analytics Email : WGOS@gov.wales
#

Recruitment team

Email : Sharedservicehelpdesk@gov.wales

Further information

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.




If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.




If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk.