The ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations. The location for this role is Titchfield (Fareham).
All colleagues are required to work from their contractually allocated site for at least 40% of their working time.
There will be a 2 week induction process for the role which will be conducted in person at our Titchfield (Fareham) location .
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime, and migration.
Social Surveys Directorate (SSD) Is The Largest Directorate In ONS, Comprising 2000 Colleagues, Including The Field Communities, Split Across Six Divisions:
- Social Surveys Field Collection (SSFC)
- Social Surveys Telephone and Ports Collection (SSTPC)
- Social Surveys Research and Production (SSRP)
- Social Surveys Strategy, Research and Innovation (SSSRI)
- Social Surveys Transformation (SST)
- Social Surveys Central Division (SSCD)
This post sits within Social Surveys Telephone and Ports Collection (SSTPC) division which encompasses the International Passenger Survey community, who are based at airports, seaports, and international train stations across the UK, and the Telephone Operations community, which is based within our HQ offices. The division also incorporates the Survey Enquiry Line, who support field interviewers and the public who call in requesting assistance, and the Survey Validation team who undertake critical coding and editing work. The Operational Delivery Profession Hub team, which provides profession-specific support and development across Social Surveys Directorate and the wider ONS, also sits within this division.
Job Description
Survey Validation role sits within Directorate of Social Surveys within the Operations group. A large team who works collaboratively to maintain delivery at peak times throughout the year.
Survey Validation (SV) processes (codes and edits) data from two of our social surveys: Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF), Family Resource Survey (FRS)
The focus of the Survey Validation role is to code/edit survey data, using pre-defined instructions and a set coding framework to well defined monthly, quarterly and annual delivery targets, using quality standards.
Team members work collaboratively to maintain delivery at peak times throughout the year. You will work as part of a large team and have the ability to switch between tasks when required with close attention to detail at all times.
Core Hours
Survey Validation operates between the hours of 6am to 7pm, however there is a requirement to work your core hours between 9am to 3pm, your remaining time can be worked flexibly.
Responsibilities
- Learning the Blaise software used to code/edit the survey data
- Learning and accurately applying survey coding and editing instructions
- Having a curious mind along with an understanding of nutritional information and an attention to detail.
- Using Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel & Outlook) in order to complete coding and editing tasks and to populate management information.
- Liaising with Field Interviewers and /or Research to enable data processing to a high standard.
- Using SharePoint and the internet as resource tools to support accurate coding and editing.
- Working well in a team and sharing information with colleagues and internal clients.
Survey Validation role sits within Directorate of Social Surveys within the Operations group. A large team who works collaboratively to maintain delivery at peak times throughout the year.
Survey Validation (SV) processes (codes and edits) data from two of our social surveys: Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF), Family Resource Survey (FRS)
The focus of the Survey Validation role is to code/edit survey data, using pre-defined instructions and a set coding framework to well defined monthly, quarterly and annual delivery targets, using quality standards.
Team members work collaboratively to maintain delivery at peak times throughout the year. You will work as part of a large team and have the ability to switch between tasks when required with close attention to detail at all times.
Core Hours
Survey Validation operates between the hours of 6am to 7pm, however there is a requirement to work your core hours between 9am to 3pm, your remaining time can be worked flexibly.
Responsibilities
- Learning the Blaise software used to code/edit the survey data
- Learning and accurately applying survey coding and editing instructions
- Having a curious mind along with an understanding of nutritional information and an attention to detail.
- Using Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel & Outlook) in order to complete coding and editing tasks and to populate management information.
- Liaising with Field Interviewers and /or Research to enable data processing to a high standard.
- Using SharePoint and the internet as resource tools to support accurate coding and editing.
- Working well in a team and sharing information with colleagues and internal clients.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
- Confident in liaising with a wide range of colleagues with the ability to form a strong rapport with people easily.
- Experience of using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and the Internet.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
Alongside your salary of £24,137, Office for National Statistics contributes £6,992 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Artificial intelligence (AI) software such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini are powerful tools that can create and review text in ways that mimic what people can do. These tools can help you enhance your application and prepare for the process, but it is essential you use them appropriately.
They must also not be used to provide misleading or false information at any stage of the application journey.
It is also important to understand that while AI can help you prepare for an interview, you must not use it to produce responses during an interview.
For full guidance in relation to the use of AI through the recruitment process, please click here.
Application Process
Number of Stages: 2 stage process
Stage 1: Application
Stage 2: Interview
Stage 1 – Application
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, skills, experience, CV, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.
A personal statement is required at application stage, it will state the maximum wordcount allowed, which should not be exceeded. Where it is a requirement to make a personal statement, you should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.
In instances where a high number of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted, and candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order, i.e., those with the highest scores.
If you are expecting high numbers of applications and raising the pass mark at sift and want to place sift candidates on hold.
When a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted. Candidates will be invited to interview based on their merit order, with those achieving the highest scores being prioritised. Applicants who score below the adjusted pass mark but still pass will be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.
Stage 2 – Interview
If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills.
A presentation may be required at interview.
Interviews may be in person or via Microsoft Teams.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
The Sift will be conducted from 23/09/2025
Interviews will be conducted from 01/10/2025
For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment. Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
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.
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) (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)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact
[email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission
