Job Description

Details

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Reference number

434988
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Salary

61,575 - 69,238
a DDAT allowance of up to 6750 may be applicable
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Grade 7#

Contract type

Permanent#

Business area

Data, Technology and Analytics Unit#

Type of role

Analytical


Digital

Operational Research

Statistics#

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-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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Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Manchester

About the job

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Job summary

If you are an experienced Data Scientist with strong technical skills, then this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of data science projects at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

About the CMA

We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour. Our work is wide ranging, ambitious and often new and challenging.


The Data, Technology and Insight Unit (DTI Directorate) encompasses Strategic Insight, Analysis & AI and Technology & Digital. The Directorate provides the CMA with specialist skills and capability to keep pace with fast-moving digital markets, rapidly developing business models and the growing use of data and algorithms.


We ensure everyone in the CMA has access to the tools they require to effectively do their jobs and are leading our digital transformation programme to increase the organisations efficiency, effectiveness and capabilities including using AI. The Directorate is key to ensuring that the CMA can better access and analyse data (including large-scale or novel data with advanced tools & techniques) and understand firms' increasingly sophisticated use of AI and other emerging technologies.


We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.


You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

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Job description

We are looking for a data scientist who is keen to use their technical skills to provide key insights to help ensure that markets work well, and that consumers are treated fairly. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in using data science in a multi-disciplinary context, collaborating with other specialists at the CMA, such as economists, behavioural scientists, and lawyers.


You will join an established team of approximately twenty data scientists and data engineers in the DSDE team, whose remit is to provide analytical support on CMA cases and develop tools to improve how the CMA operates. We build most of our tools ourselves, on top of open-source software, using our custom analysis platform built on the AWS infrastructure. Data scientists in our team have space to explore the use of new, cutting-edge techniques in data processing and machine learning, including large language models and generative AI. We work in a collaborative way, with a focus on sharing our knowledge and experience across the team.

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Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Essential:

A degree in a quantitative subject OR equivalent experience working in data science.

(Lead Criteria)

Significant experience in shaping, leading, and delivering end-to-end data science projects, including scoping, project management and evaluation

(Lead Criteria)

Significant experience of applying data science techniques to real world problems to drive meaningful impact, and the ability to identify and apply suitable technical approaches to achieve this

(Lead Criteria)

Substantial ability and experience of coding in Python and/or R. Knowledge of data engineering tools and techniques, such as cloud services (AWS, Azure) and git version control is a plus. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to draft reports for a non-technical audience and to present analysis in a straightforward and engaging way. Experience of working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, building excellent working relationships.

The role is open to existing members of the Government Economic Service (GES), Government Operational Research Service (GORS), Government Statistical Group (GSG), Government Social Research (GSR) and Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) professions and you will have the opportunity to retain your badged status in this role.


If you are a member of a Government Analytical profession (GORS, GSG, GES or GSR) please indicate that in your application.


It is not essential that you are a member of one of these professions as you will also be assessed against the Data Scientist capability framework as described in the Digital, Data and Technology profession. You can learn more about this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-scientist

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Behaviours

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


Leadership Communicating and Influencing Working Together Making Effective Decisions #

Technical skills

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


Data Scientist capability framework as described in the Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 61,575, Competition & Markets Authority contributes 17,838 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants new to the civil service will be recruited at the minimum of the pay band for the grade of the position into which they are appointed. Only in exceptional circumstances will a salary above the minimum be considered, based on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications demonstrated through the recruitment process, and also equity with staff internal to the CMA.


You'll also get:

25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King's birthday. In addition, you'll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.


Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.


You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.



The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) a technical test and an interview. Arrangements for the interview will be enclosed in the invitation.


Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.


The sift will take place 18 - 25 November 2025


Candidates that pass the initial application sift will be invited to do a technical test - a coding and data science test which will take place on the week commencing 01 December 2025


Candidates that pass the technical test will then be invited to attend an interview.



Interviews will be held from the week commencing 08 December 2025


The interview will be a 45-60 minute panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Technical and Experience elements outlined in the role profile.


Please note that interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.



If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.


For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

The Use of AI

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our

candidate guidance

for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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
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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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.#

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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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.#

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Serena Connor Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk #

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.