Testimonials

Hannah Finselbach, Assistant Methodologist (Graduate) based in Newport
As the area's biggest employer of statisticians and researchers the ONS was an obvious choice for me to apply for work while completing my PhD Studies. With a competitive salary offered and flexible working patterns supported, I gladly accepted a role in ONS Methodology Directorate back in 2006.

ONS Methodology Division provides methodological support for the improvement of business and household surveys and the census. My work is mainly project based and it was this style of working that attracted me to the job when I joined ONS. In the two and a half years I have been working as an assistant methodologist I have been involved in several projects, both directly related to my branch's work and on wider schemes across the office. Some examples of projects that I have worked on is the development of methods for a new business survey, delivering an Estimation course to Government Statistical Service (GSS) staff and statistical analysis for a HR pay audit. Since starting I have gained a wide range of new skills and received a lot of learning support and training opportunities. Last year I was able to attend a summer school in Sweden on the use of administrative data and attendance at conferences has been encouraged from day one.

There are obvious career benefits from working for a large employer, for example rotations to different areas to expand knowledge and regular promotion opportunities. Other facilities, such as a gym, shop, staff restaurant and Starbucks all on site make it a good place to work. Among the Research, Analysis & Statistic (RAS) Staff Group there are also frequent networking events and support such as a mentor scheme to help you settle in!

Theodore Joloza, Senior Research Officer in Economic Labour and Social Analysis based in Newport
I have been in ONS since January 2006 and have found my work varied and satisfying. I have found the ONS to be family friendly and the flexi-time system makes it easy for me to strike a good balance between my work life and my home life.

During my time here, I have worked in three different areas, namely the Omnibus Survey now known as Opinions Survey, Labour Force Survey and the Equalities and Wellbeing Branch. The work in all these areas has stretched me and helped me develop useful skills. I also like the fact that I have been able to move around different work areas which has enabled me to expand my skill base. Currently, my work involves working on the improvement of the collection of equality data. Like my other previous posts in ONS, I have found this challenging but a good experience. I like most being part of a ground breaking process in improving equality data availability and accessibility. Most of all I enjoy liaising with stakeholders both in the UK and internationally.

ONS is also keen on developing staff and I have benefited from this through in house courses, seminars and conferences. I have contributed to various publications directly and indirectly. I find it fulfilling to see work I have been involved in being used for the development of policies to help improve people's quality of life.

Dr Sarah Walker, Senior Research Officer in Surveys and Administrative Sources based in Titchfield
I originally joined ONS in 1998 as a Researcher working on the last Census (2001). I was responsible, from day one, for developing a new follow-up survey looking into the Census coverage. This involved applying many new skills (field-procedures & training, form design, workload planning, sample size, testing/piloting, progress reporting, etc…). We were a small team and I also helped with the recruitment, field management, logistics and authorising pay. Being involved with the whole survey process was a very interesting and busy place to be.

In 2000, I left ONS to research my PhD and subsequently re-joined in 2004 as a Senior Research Officer. I returned to the next Census (2011) where I was responsible for designing and running tests of possible new field procedures. This involved a great deal of liaison to gather the requirements, produce the test material and agree the sample designs, areas and sizes. Two key tests I developed were comparing address checking methods and different reminder methods. In 2007, Census ran a large Test which I statistically designed and set up a robust evaluation approach that was implemented across census. The results feed into the final 2011 Census design.

In April 2008, I moved divisions to join the Administrative Data Development team. This has given me experience in the parliamentary process and liaison with other external Government Departments and ONS Legal Services with the aim of obtaining data from external administrative sources.