Transcript Mobility in the UK Government Statistical Service Anne Foulger Introduction • Statisticians work in ONS and other government departments • Various locations around the UK •

Mobility in the UK Government Statistical
Service
Anne Foulger
Introduction
• Statisticians work in ONS and other
government departments
• Various locations around the UK
• Posts are advertised on Statnet and Civil
Service website.
• Up to individuals to be pro-active
Some benefits of mobility
Different experiences
Understanding the wider
context
Network of
contacts
Flexibility
Evidence for
promotion
Data sources,
statistical techniques
Example 1 - Different experiences
• Department for Education, London
Policy analysis, briefing ministers, working with schools,
local government, policy development
• Office for National Statistics, Newport
Managing a large-scale social survey, media training,
working with Eurostat, statistical policy
Different experiences
Understanding the wider
context
Example 2 – Understanding data
• Monitoring teenage pregnancy strategy
• Using data from Department of Health and
ONS
• Policies relating to young people: Department
for Education
• Useful to know people in other departments
• Knowledge of different data sources
Network of
contacts
Data sources,
statistical techniques
Example 3 - Change management
• Seeing how different organisations are
structured and how they manage change
• Methods of communication with staff (verbal,
written, visual)
• Different leadership styles
Evidence for
promotion
Flexibility
Any negatives?
• Steep learning curve if you are new to a
department (new IT systems, different
terminology)
• If you move too quickly, no time to build up
in-depth knowledge
• Jobholders and managers may have different
expectations
Developing a culture of mobility
• Providing advice and support (eg Statisticians
in Government team, Head of Profession)
• Networking events, seminars
• Secondments outside the Civil Service
• Setting clear expectations
• Sharing experiences
Points for discussion
• Do other delegates have similar positive (or
negative) experiences of mobility?
• How do you balance the benefits to the
individual vs benefits to the organisation?